OTB's ACC B-Ball Weekend Wrap-Up–01/25/10

Posted by Brandon Rink on January 25, 2010 under ACC Basketball | Comments are off for this article

Coach OP ponders why he only has one player who can score right now.

Welcome to OTB’s ACC B-Ball Weekend Wrap-Up where we rewind the games by ranking the headlines from the weekend of ACC basketball.

1) Duke Is Good. Clemson? We’re Not Really Sure.
It’s weird to say that Duke grinded out a blowout win–but they did. The Devils had to fight and claw for everyone of their 60 points against a stout Clemson defense, but the Tigers offense did not present much of a challenge at all. The triumvirate of Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer, and Kyle Singler accounted for 45 of Duke’s 60 with Smith leading the scoring with 22 points. Clemson’s Booker was a one-man-offense with his 22 points as he had many-a-ANGRYBOOKERDUNK, but his singular effort was not enough for the Tigers to get over-the-top.

2) ‘Hoos Humbled as Deacs Dominate 69-57
It was not close–Virginia played a solid final five minutes, but it came with the game in hand for the Deacs as they led wire-to-wire. Wake’s Ish Smith the MVP with his 21 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds in the win. The ‘Hoos Landesberg led his team in scoring, but was the only Virginia starter to reach double digits in scoring(18). Wake Forest is this good–Aminu and Smith are a deadly combo–Virginia is not this bad though. Reality was going to hit eventually, but regaining focus should not be an issue with Virginia Tech coming to Charlottesville on Thursday.

3) ‘Noles Escape with Home Victory Over Ranked Jackets 68-66
The Jackets had their shot–they had a number of shots, but FSU prevailed with the home ACC win 68-66 by hitting enough free throws to get the lead down the stretch. Georgia Tech had the ball in the hands of their hot-shooter/leading scorer of the day in freshman Brian Oliver, but he would miss and the Jackets would not be able to setup a play for another shot that they could have had with 3 seconds left FSU free throws. Noles forward Chris Singleton kept his team in the game and center Solomon Alabi would knock in the lead-changing free throws that Georgia Tech would never answer.

4) Hokies Edge Eagles on Hudson Layup
The most exciting finish is pretty far down the list here, but the Hokies need to string some wins together to climb the importance ladder as the Hokies’ Hudson put back the Davila miss to gain the lead and game for VT. BC’s fight on the road has been admirable and they are on the right track since their blowout losses to Duke/Maryland, but the wins have to come sometime or all the moral victories start to pile up into a failed season. On the road goes the Hokies as they travel to rival Virginia on Thursday for what could be a big ACC road victory(as they all are).

5) Terps Cool Red-Hot Wolfpack to ACC Lead
They came out in the yellow jerseys and that obviously stunned the Wolfpack enough for this one only be close for the first five minutes. The 88-64 win is the 3rd in a string of blowout victories that include Longwood and Boston College since the close OT loss at Wake Forest. Terps are 5-1 in 2010. As for the Wolfpack, the margin is more shocking than the loss as they are not 24 points worse than any team in the ACC so this one makes you wonder about their home date with North Carolina coming up Tuesday.

A few surprising results this weekend, but Duke has reclaimed their bid to be the top dog in the ACC…the question is whether anybody can really chase them right now…what do you think?

Duke vs. Clemson(Part 2) Live Blog from OTB Live

Posted by Brandon Rink on January 23, 2010 under ACC Basketball | Comments are off for this article

Welcome to the Clemson/Duke live blog–well the way to get to the live blog. With the link below, you will be to see my commentary on the Devils/Tigers matchup along with relevant Twitter feeds to the game and easily be able to add your comments also…so check it out…it’s fun!

Goes live at around 8 and the game is up at 9!

Clemson/Duke Live Blog from OTB Live

OTB's ACC Power Poll–Week 3

Posted by Brandon Rink on January 22, 2010 under ACC Basketball | Comments are off for this article

I don't know why this is relevant to now, but it involves UNC/Duke in one picture and they are both failing.

Welcome to OTB’s ACC Power Poll! My ACC basketball power ranking here is less text, but packed with info you need for the coming week in ACC basketball as I have all the records, who’s on a roll, and my picks for the big games of the week…enjoy!

(Records as of January 22, 2010; Key game(s) and ACC game 2 Watch on a Friday to Friday week)
Rank..(LW)….Team………………………Record
1)..(1)..Duke Blue Devils…………………………15-3(3-2 ACC)
Momentum level: Lukewarm; Key game(s) this week: @Clemson, FSU.

2)..(4)..Virginia Cavaliers…………12-4(3-0 ACC)
Momentum level: High; Key game(s) this week: @Wake, VT.

3)..(2)..Clemson Tigers………………15-4(3-2 ACC)
Momentum level:Lukewarm; Key game(s) this week: Duke, @BC.

4)..(7)..Maryland Terrapins……………………11-5(2-1 ACC)
Momentum level: High; Key game(s) this week: NC State, Miami.

5).(9).Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets…………………14-4(3-2 ACC)
Momentum level: High; Key game(s) this week: @FSU, Wake.

6)..(5)..Wake Forest Demon Deacons…13-4(2-2 ACC)
Momentum level: High; Key game(s) this week: UVA, @Wake.

7)..(10)..Florida State Seminoles………….14-4(2-2 ACC)
Momentum level: High; Key game(s) this week: GT, @Duke.

8)..(3)..Virginia Tech Hokies…………………..14-3(1-2 ACC)
Momentum level: Lukewarm; Key game(s) this week: BC, @UVA.

9)..(11)..North Carolina State Wolfpack………….13-6(2-3 ACC)
Momentum level: High; Key game(s) this week: @Maryland, UNC.

10)..(6)..North Carolina Tar Heels………………………12-7(1-3 ACC)
Momentum level: Low; Key game(s) this week: @NC State.

11)..(8)..Miami Hurricanes………………………15-4(1-4 ACC)
Momentum level: Low; Key game(s) this week: @Maryland.

12)..(NR)..Boston College Eagles………………….11-8(2-3 ACC)
Momentum level: High; Key game(s) this week: @VT, Clemson.

Before the picks…

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ACC Game(s) 2 Watch This Week(3-1 record so far): (1) Duke Blue Devils at (3) Clemson Tigers,  Saturday at 9.
OTB’s Prediction: Tigers 79 Devils 74
The Why: No pick this week wavered more back and forth than this one as before Wednesday I would have picked Duke, but I want to see the Blue Devils prove to me that they can pull out a tough road game as Clemson will be rocking and though I’m not enthralled with how Clemson is playing right now–I think they have to be better in this one.

(10) North Carolina Tar Heels, at (9) NC State Wolfpack, Tuesday at 9.
OTB’s Prediction: Pack 83 Heels 73
The Why: Let’s review, UNC doesn’t play defense especially well, nor post-play, or perimeter shooting–and they have to go on the road again at a hot-shooting Wolfpack squad–not good, not good.

(8) Virginia Tech Hokies at the (2) Virginia Cavaliers, Thursday at 7.
OTB’s Prediction: Hokies 68 ‘Hoos 66
The Why: Shield your eyes, ‘Hoos, from this week, it will get better–I swear, but a bit of a reality check is on the way as I think Jeff Allen makes a return this week and Delaney leads the way in a road win over the Cavaliers.

ACC Team 2 Rise This Week: Virginia Tech Hokies

ACC Team 2 Fall This Week: Virginia Cavaliers

Let’s reflect on the positive ‘Hoos, I’ve got you at 2 for your season up to this point! And how about UNC? Four ACC losses and still not out of January possibly!? We’ll be here for a Clemson-Duke live blog so come on by and discuss the game and the day in ACC hoops!