If season ended today the schedule would have been quite misleading. Also, here's what ACCT would look like: pic.twitter.com/3VwsuOlSFM
— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) February 15, 2016
If we packed it all up after this past weekend the above chart would be the ACC Tournament slate. Of course some things can still change a bit — aside from Boston College and Wake Forest playing on the first day. Reminder, the tournament is at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. this season.
https://twitter.com/gifdsports/status/698651369994059776
It was the Dukes!
It’s always a shame when an excellent game is overshadowed by one play, but ACC fans know all about that even in the modern era of replay review. That didn’t prevent a very controversial no-call on the game-winning shot by Duke’s Grayson Allen in a 63-63 win over No. 7 Virginia. Yes, it certainly appears to be a travel when Allen’s foot touched the ground before releasing the shot, but it wasn’t called and the result isn’t going to change. One could argue Allen was fouled — coach K certainly would — but that also appeared to be before the shot. Regardless, the result means Duke has effectively rallied from the dismal run of four losses in five games that knocked them from the top 25. Back-to-back wins over Louisville and Virginia really makes you wonder what exactly we were all freaking out over in January.
As for the Cavaliers, this only marks the team’s fifth loss of the season though it’s the fourth ACC loss. As long as the ‘Hoos stay healthy however, there shouldn’t be cause for concern. Malcolm Brogdon and Anthony Gill in particular are playing at a high level and London Perrantes continues to quietly fill up the stat sheet despite a curious haircut that evokes a certain childhood cartoon for some of us.
https://twitter.com/ben_the_schiff/status/698655150664245248
And if you’re worried that Duke got away with another Cameron call scot-free, fear not justice seekers, the Internet is on it!
https://twitter.com/TurnerWalston/status/698960746714112002
Kentucky Fried Upset
Notre Dame knocked off No. 13 Louisville Saturday in South Bend to give the Cardinals their second consecutive loss. Steve Vasturia keyed an Irish comeback in the second half that saw an 11-point Cardinal lead evaporate. Vasturia finished with 20 points and Demetrius Jackson played the entire game and scored 27 to lead all scorers. The Irish only played seven guys and 100% of the team’s scoring came from the starting lineup. That’s not sustainable longterm, but it did the trick against Rick Pitino’s club.
I mentioned recently that despite winning the first game after the self-imposed postseason ban was announced, we didn’t know how the Cardinals would react. Tough losses at Duke and Notre Dame proved that the team is still motivated, but it doesn’t get any easier. They return home for a two game set, but it’s against Duke and Syracuse. Road games remain against Pittsburgh, Miami, and Virginia so things could really head south if they aren’t careful.
The Irish do some kind of celebratory coach/player thing after wins as most programs do, and this photo really shows the goofy anticipation of a middle-aged chest bump. Excellent form coach.
GOODNIGHT.
Let's start chasin' another ACC title on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/YxSw9wSIJh
— Notre Dame Men's Basketball (@NDmbb) February 14, 2016
Ain’t No Sunshine for FSU
Florida State nearly knocked off No. 12 Miami in a Valentine’s night tilt, but the Canes rudely rejected any romantic overtures from their rival. Miami’s trio of starting guards — Sheldon McClellan, Davon Reed, and Angel Rodriguez — all scored in double figures led by McClellan’s game-high 20 points. The Seminoles trailed by 11 at the half, but rallied to pull within one in the final minutes. They weren’t able to capitalize on a scoring drought that saw Miami fail to make a field goal in the final 4:23 however, and the Canes scratched out just enough at the free throw line to seal the victory. FSU’s Malik Beasley scored just six points in the contest, ending his 24-game double-figure scoring streak. The ACC record sits at 26 games and is held by Georgia Tech’s Stephon Marbury who set the record longer ago than I care to think about. At 16-9 the ‘Noles are squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble, making closing games against Duke, Notre Dame, and Syracuse crucial to their tournament resume. Miami meanwhile sits just one game behind North Carolina in the conference standings and those two squads will meet February 20 in a nationally televised match up.
On the bright side for Florida State, Renegade made it rain bacon.
BUCKETS. DOWN 1. pic.twitter.com/2udcsSElMS
— Florida State Men’s Basketball (@FSUHoops) February 15, 2016
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