ACC Hoops Tidbits (Irving Returns?)

10-11 Basketball ACC Big Four Rivals20

As coaching search season cranks into overdrive, I wanted to take a quick look at some happenings around the league.

* I have it on very good authority that Duke’s best player from November/December (given that Nolan Smith is a shoe-in for POY, how f-ing scary is that?), Kyrie Irving, will definitely play in Saturday night’s showdown in Chapel Hill. Irving might even play a few minutes tonight. Irving’s return (even for 15-20 minutes per game) would make Duke a legitimate Final Four contender again. That would be a small bit of face-saving for the conference.

* Speaking of face-saving for the conference…wow, Virginia Tech. Just wow. After seemingly getting over the hump against Duke, Greenberg’s Hokies laid an absolute turd on Senior Night against reeling Boston College. Talk about schizophrenic – VT beats Duke, should have beaten UNC in Chapel Hill, but is swept by Virginia and BC. They’ve had injuries, but for a team with two senior talents like Delaney and Allen, that’s inexcusable.

* I continue to fear that the ACC could be a two bid league this year. VT’s computer numbers weren’t great before last night. Florida State is no lock, either – especially if Singleton doesn’t come back. The Noles need to beat at least one of UNC and NC State, then probably make it to the ACCT semifinals. Boston College has better numbers, but fails the “eye test” and probably will lose on ACCT Thursday. Clemson? Not unless they win in Cameron tonight. Don’t count on it.

* With Irving coming back, the Holes are going into the home stretch another man down. Reggie Bullock is out for the year, and how will Roy manage the tempo with 8 available scholarship players? I’m betting Swofford wishes he had kept his mouth shut about Florida State’s women’s soccer program, given how I expect Carolina to mail in their ACCT performance. Go ahead and crown the Blue Devils now.

* Last, and certainly least, NC State is left fighting for the 9th seed after last night’s crap-tacular loss to an undermanned UVA squad. Fittingly, the last road game on the Sidney Lowe Farewell Tour ends in a double digit loss. I saw the last 90 seconds, and the highlight was a beaming Louis Farrakhan giving a standing ovation as the clock expired. I laughed my ass off.

About BJD95

1995 NC State graduate, sufferer of Les and MOC during my entire student tenure. An equal-opportunity objective critic and analyst of Wolfpack sports.

10-11 Basketball ACC Big Four Rivals

20 Responses to ACC Hoops Tidbits (Irving Returns?)

  1. JasonP 03/02/2011 at 12:59 PM #

    If FSU doesn’t make it will that be the first time a team with 10+ wins in the league is left out?

    That’d be incredible. I say one of the two – FSU or VT – are going as long as they get past the first day of the tourney next week, and one of them will as long as they don’t have to play UNC and their referees.

    Clemson and BC are out unless they win the whole thing. I think the chances are highest for the ACC to get 3 teams in – with only 1 team that truly belongs.

    Duke needs Irving if they want any credible chance at another national title. Without him their backcourt is good enough to dominate the ACC, but against a capable team and PG (see St John’s) they’d get beat all day.

  2. PackInsider 03/02/2011 at 1:07 PM #

    Interesting re: Irving. The vibe I got was that he was done at Duke for good. But I don’t have any inside info. Hope he does return, for both Duke and ACC’s sake.

  3. ruffles31 03/02/2011 at 1:26 PM #

    Va Tech didn’t make it last year with 10 wins.

  4. Wulfpack 03/02/2011 at 1:41 PM #

    It is sad what this conference has become. What’s even worse is we haven’t even come close to raising our profile within the league during this time.

    I hope that Irving returns in time for Saturday night. Duke really needs him against UNC. I am afraid the Heels could take the regular season title. Agree that Roy has no interest in the ACC Tournament.

    VT, Maryland, BC, and Clemson look to be NIT teams. FSU will be motivated against us on Sunday as they still have much to play for. We might not score 50 points if we play like we did last night.

  5. WolftownVA81 03/02/2011 at 1:50 PM #

    Went to the game last night. For those of you who don’t live close to Raleigh and haven’t gotten to any games – we look worse in person. Except for Javi, CJ and Jorden, no one was playing with any intensity or sense of urgency. Appears to me the starters mailed it in. Was going to post this last night but didn’t see a thread.

  6. PackInsider 03/02/2011 at 2:22 PM #

    Scott Wood appeared to play pretty hard (as he does every game). He is coming off in his interviews as VERY frustrated. Can’t blame him.

  7. wolfman1959 03/02/2011 at 2:35 PM #

    * Last, and certainly least, NC State is left fighting for the 9th seed after last night’s crap-tacular loss to an undermanned UVA squad. Fittingly, the last road game on the Sidney Lowe Farewell Tour ends in a double digit loss. I saw the last 90 seconds, and the highlight was a beaming Louis Farrakhan giving a standing ovation as the clock expired. I laughed my ass off.

    As usual BJD95, right on the money !Sad that this was the game highlight !!

  8. Clarksa 03/02/2011 at 3:08 PM #

    ArmstrongWTVD Mark Armstrong
    Per Duke: NO CHANCE Kyrie plays tonight or Saturday

    The official Duke line as of right now…2:30pm on Wednesday*.

    *subject to change

  9. packalum44 03/02/2011 at 3:09 PM #

    the last thing we need is for Duke/UNC to win another title. who gives rat’s ass if the acc sucks this year (past several) that is much much easier to swallow than than K hanging another banner. we already can’t compete with him the way is now geez.

  10. BJD95 03/02/2011 at 3:12 PM #

    Irving could always suffer a setback, but I feel very good about the sourcing on this one. Apparently once my little blurb hit the twitter-verse, a mild media frenzy began. LMAO.

  11. Clarksa 03/02/2011 at 4:51 PM #

    kyrieirving Kyrie Irving
    by ArmstrongWTVD
    The rumors are not true…I will not be playing tonight and I’m still in my walking boot

    Doesn’t address Saturday… 🙂

  12. Uncle Pack 03/02/2011 at 4:55 PM #

    Meanwhile, Duke fans love Sidney Lowe: http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/blog/2011/03/poll-ncsu-fans-split-on-lowe-unc.html

  13. Wolfy__79 03/02/2011 at 9:08 PM #

    irving really suprised me at the beginning of the season.. is there a chance he gets up to game speed by acc tourney??

  14. mak4dpak 03/02/2011 at 10:03 PM #

    Can’t believe no kudos to to the team’s great effort in coming back from a 16 point deficit against UVA. Very impressed, and I really think they are getting better, and if we keep Sid one more year, we may even contend for the ACC championship. BSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! We all love Sid, but face it, he ain’t getting done, and time for a new coach.

  15. Wolfy__79 03/02/2011 at 10:29 PM #

    not a good record. player development is at an all time low. our seniors get beasted by freshman! thanks so much but let us move on.

    vt choked last night.. what a joke.
    fsu choked at home against unx tonight.

    how bad is it when the acc’s current number one by a half game (unx) is also the worst free throw % team in the league. GARBAGE.

  16. ryebread 03/03/2011 at 9:09 AM #

    I hope that Duke gets Irving back and runs the table. With Irving, I felt Duke was a Final Four lock. Without him, I’ve felt they were a Sweet 16 or Elite 8 at best. Mediocre ACC teams have been giving them all they could handle lately. This year more than any in recent memory, the ACC could really benefit from a powerful Duke squad.

    I still think that this is a 4-5 bid league and not so much because it is deserved but more because outside of the Big East, there’s not much good basketball being played this season in the power conferences. UNC is in, but they’re Sweet 16 and done given their attrition. FSU is in because they won’t be punished for losing Singleton. They could lose the first round though. VT punched their dance ticket with the win against Duke. That leaves Clemson, BC and Maryland fighting for a 5th spot. I think BC may have grabbed it by beating VT the other night. They deserve it as they actually have the best resume even though Maryland has a better name and RPI.

    As for NC State? Stick a fork in us. I really hope we run the table, but I’m not expecting much.

  17. hammerpack 03/03/2011 at 2:02 PM #

    Uh, Irving? WHAT? Wrong!

  18. Wolfy__79 03/03/2011 at 9:04 PM #

    i agree with 4-5 acc teams getting in. as always, the big east is weaker than advertised.. but by far the best conference top to bottom. duke is stronger to me though pending on seeding with them and others. i can see them reaching elite eight. unx, if they manage to take the acc tourney, their confidence will be soaring and they are very dangerous then.. i can see them easily making and perhaps moving past the sweet16.. of course pending seeds. va tech is a one and done if they make it. bc will make it farther than vt.. fsu is a good team but i doubt they get more than one win. i could really see duke,unx,fsu,bc and vt getting in. i will be suprised if only gets 3 and is a lock for 4.

  19. NCMike 03/04/2011 at 11:41 AM #

    Irving’s done…at Duke…onto the lottery.

  20. NCMike 03/06/2011 at 3:48 PM #

    So much for that “good authority”

Leave a Reply