The ACC sent six teams to the Sweet 16 last weekend, and after four days of waiting, basketball is once again upon us. Two of the six Sweet 16 teams from the ACC are in action this evening, as Miami and Duke try to each punch their tickets into the Elite Eight.
Make sure to join us in the comments section this evening, as Justin and Mike breakdown all of the evening’s basketball action.
South Region
#3 Miami (25-7) Vs. #2 Villanova (29-5), 7:10 PM ET on CBS
Line: Nova -4.0
O/U: 140
Players to Watch:
Miami Hurricanes:
SG Sheldon McClellan, 16.0 ppg. 3.2 rpg. 50% FG
Villanova Wildcats:
PG Ryan Arcidiacono, 12.0 ppg. 4.4 apg. 42.5% FG
West Region
#4 Duke (23-10) Vs. #1 Oregon (28-6), 10:07 PM ET on TBS
Line: Oregon -3.5
O/U: 156
Players to Watch:
Duke Blue Devils:
SG Grayson Allen, 21.8 ppg. 4.5 rpg. 3.5 apg.
Oregon Ducks:
SF Dillon Brooks, 16.8 ppg. 5.6 rpg. 3.1 apg.
Enjoy the games everyone, and join in the conversation at your leisure. Follow me on Twitter @BestCates and follow @MikeMcDanielACC. Like Inside The ACC on Facebook and check out @InsideTheACC.
Not much changed in the last four or so minutes, as Oregon was able to close out Duke. Oregon’s length really bothered the Blue Devils all night long, as they could never get much offensive sustainability. Four games, four blowouts total this evening..hopefully the four other ACC teams that play tomorrow can show a little bit more life.
Duke turnovers leading to Oregon getting out on the break. The Ducks are as athletic as any team in the tournament and they are flexing their muscles tonight against Coach K’s bunch
Perry Ellis trying to singlehandedly put Maryland away. He’s so efficient and Maryland has allowed him to get to his spots for the better part of the second half.
Grayson Allen has been dreadful. 1-6 with three points. Ingram up to 14 points now and is shooting the ball well. If Allen gives them anything offensively in the second half, they’ll have a great chance.
Duke going zone is an unsurprising development. Especially against the sheer size of Oregon. Coach K willing to grind it out and hope Oregon misses their outside shots.
Maryland Kansas locked in a dogfight. Meanwhile, Duke is struggling early against Oregon. Getting the ball in deep with Plumlee for kickout threes has helped recently, and could come into play again tonight.
Melo Trimble balling out against Kansas. Kid has a great pull up jumper when he’s shooting it confidently
Plumlee is a walking foul. Not a hard foul there for the second, but they’ll call an arm extension like that every single time.
Former ACCer Rasheed Sulaimon could prove to be a big factor tonight if Maryland wants to upset Kansas. By the way, brutal tech called on Layman for hanging on the rim.
Buzz came to play tonight. Outfit game is so strong on national tv.
The best thing about these games so far is Buzz Williams’ maroon blazer/pink Nike shoe combo.
Literally just saw this after I posted my comment. I concur^^
It’s turning into blowout Thursday here in the Sweet 16. Oklahoma cruising over Texas A&M easily. Duke is the late game with Kansas/Maryland which I’m personally looking forward to as a hoops fan outside of the ACC.
Villanova never trailed, shot 64% and coasted. Surprised at how little defense Miami played..unusual for a Larranaga coached team to simply not show up.
‘Cats starting to pull away. No resistance from Miami, and a ton of turnovers.
Offensive rebound…kick-out. Three. Story of Villanova’s night.
Have to believe Miami has one more run in them. It would be wise for Villanova to step on their throats now.
Jenkins with another 3. He’s up to 14 for Villanova…who is seemingly snagging every 50-50 ball
Hurricanes dialing up the pressure down 10 with just under 12 minutes to play. With a smaller lineup in, doesn’t hurt to apply that pressure to acoid ‘Nova feeding the ball to Ochefu on every possession in the halfcourt.
Jekiri to the bench with four fouls for the Canes. Miami needs to be careful to not let this get out of hand.
Oklahoma just went to the half over on TBS. Strong half for the Sooners as they lead Billy Kennedy’s Aggies by 19. Great showing thus far for Lon Kruger’s club. Seems like everyone forgets how good of a coach he is.
Villanova turning up the pressure here in the first six minutes of this second half. Miami really struggling when the ball is taken out of Rodriguez’ hands.
One thing is clear: Turnovers will decide the outcome of this game. I know that can be said for most hoops games at this level, but it’s crucial for the senior guards of Rodriguez and Arcidiacono to limit the giveaways.
Exciting up and down game thus far. Texas A&M and Oklahoma are just getting underway over on TBS. Aggies with an early 13-6 lead on the Sooners.
Miami has all of a sudden flipped a switch defensively, as they have now gotten stops on seven of their last eight possessions. Lead down to one for Villanova.
Quick 9-0 run by Miami thanks to two threes from McClellan and one from Rodriguez. ‘Canes definitely needed that. Villanova’s defensive pressure has bothered the Hurricanes for a good part of this first half.
Ryan Arcidiacono is easily one of the most underrated point guards in the country. He doesn’t necessarily stuff the stat sheet, but he has full command of Jay Wright’s offense at Villanova and makes everyone around him better.
Miami has been plagued with turnovers in most of their losses this season. A couple of crucial turnovers at the start put them in a quick 8-0 hole this evening. That will need to be turned around.
Miami needs to control the pace this evening. It will be crucial to their success in winning this game. Villanova likes to grind it out and they do so as much as any team in the country.
The games tip at 7:10, with Miami front and center taking on Villanova. Should be an exciting evening of hoops action.