ACC Game On will periodically review recent games involving ACC teams and take a look forward at key upcoming matchups.
Mike Krzyzewski has surpassed Bob Knight’s record of all-time wins. He did so on the appropriately grand stage of Madison Square Garden, defeating Michigan State. It’s a great accomplishment for the man and for Duke University. What’s not so great? The job that Mason Plumlee, Miles Plumlee, and Ryan Kelly did to prove Mitch McGary wrong. Combined the three were responsible for seven recorded field goal attempts. This total ties Seth Curry and Austin Rivers, who individually each took more shots. This total is also less than half of the total shots taken by Andre Dawkins, who made six three-pointers in the game. The team won, so there’s no sense in raising a fuss, but box scores like that make it hard to disagree with the diagnosis that “all their big men do is set screens and rebound and that they don’t get a lot of touches.”
Mr. 903
The rest of the ACC was rather dull last evening as Virginia Tech, Miami, and Virginia all walked away with relatively easy wins. Unsurprisingly, All-ACC candidates Mike Scott, Durand Scott and Malcolm Grant put up good but not incredible numbers to lead their teams to easy wins.
Things were a little more interesting in Blacksburg, however, as Dorenzo Hudson went off for 31 points on only thirteen shots. He got to the line twelve times, and didn’t miss from the charity stripe. It was a bravura performance against an overmatched Florida International team. Meanwhile, Dorian Finley-Smith continues his campaign as the ACC’s most intriguing freshman, leading his team in rebounding, assists, and steals while scoring fifteen points. If Seth Greenberg can adapt his team to the style and talents of this point-power-forward, the Hokies have a real chance to shake things up in the ACC.
Tonight’s Games
The Third Team
- Princeton at North Carolina State at 7:00 PM on ESPN3.com
The Wolfpack has done a solid job of scheduling quality non-conference opponents. While at first glance UNC Asheville, Morehead State, and Princeton does not seem like a particularly challenging slate, each of these teams won their conference and went dancing last March. Though all mid-majors, it’s impressive that N.C. State has gotten to play so many tournament teams to start the season. For a team that’s rebuilding, it’s hard to think of a more appropriate schedule. Sadly, Princeton isn’t the team it was last year, and a very good Harvard team is likely to win the Ivy. Still, Princeton is probably tougher than the Wolfpack’s previous two opponents and will offer Richard Howell another opportunity to prove that the freakish numbers he’s been putting up aren’t a fluke.
Behind Enemy Lines
- Clemson at the Citadel at 7:05 PM on ESPN3.com
While the Citadel isn’t as talented as UNC Asheville, Clemson isn’t as talented as North Carolina. Whenever a power conference team goes on the road to play a mid-major foe in a smaller venue, there’s a bit of magic in the air. Clemson is definitely good enough to turn this one into a rout early, but it will be interesting to see if the Citadel can hang in there in front of the home crowd, and turn the tables.
For Fans Only
- Stetson at Florida State at 7:00 PM on ESPN3.com
- Georgia Southern at Wake Forest 7:00 PM
This was almost intriguing. Last year, Stetson knocked off Wake Forest to start the season, and while both teams are playing tomorrow at 7 pm, it’s against different teams. Florida State’s stout defense should be a near-insurmountable obstacle for Stetson. Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons will play against Georgia Southern, a team that Wake Forest shares an odd bond with. Like WFU, Georgia Southern only won a single conference game last season. This should be a cake walk for Wake Forest, but after last season, you have to believe that Jeff Bzdelik isn’t overlooking anyone.