1. Duke- Duke has to remain on top of this week's standings because they did not do anything wrong. The comeback against NC State was a scare but may have brought out what Seth Curry can do for this team. They looked much more comfortable against a Boston College team with high hopes in Chestnut Hill. Can the Blue Devils get revenge in Tallahassee? This is the week where Duke decides if they are a number one or two seed come March.
2. North Carolina- Carolina was so up and down in their win over Clemson that it once again brings up their main problem: no feistiness. John Henson becomes the best possible player to spark some controversy and bring the heat that the Tar Heels had with players such as Tyler Hansbrough or Rashad McCants. Roy Williams is a hall of famer and undisputedly one of the best coaches in the country, but he needs to make his team angry, and get them to play a full game. Going to Raleigh should bring out some dislike, maybe enough to pull off a confidence-boosting win on the road.
3. Florida State- Florida State looked downright bad in their last second win over Virginia Tech. They looked downright terrific in their romp of NC State on the road. Like just about every team in this conference, the Seminoles remain inconsistent. Michael Snaer is not only Mr. Big Shot for them, but has pulled away as a leader and top player. The beginning of their magic may have started when Snaer knocked off Duke at the buzzer in Cameron, can they gain more momentum from a win over the Blue Devils at home on Thursday?
4. Virginia- Virginia may have broken out of their slump with a terrific display on both ends during the second half versus Maryland. The Cavs held Maryland to 13 points while Mike Scott wrote another chapter in his bid for ACC Player of the Year. Virginia has a big week this week, seeking revenge at rival Virginia Tech, before hosting North Carolina. A win over the Tar Heels may boost the Cavaliers to a top five seed in the tournament.
5. Miami- The Hurricanes remain very much on the bubble and squandered a chance for another signature win by losing to North Carolina. If Miami go on the road to beat Maryland and then beat rival Florida State at home it will go a long ways towards their chances. Florida State will be two days off of what should most certainly be a hard fought battle with Duke and Miami should look to capitalize. Can Reggie Johnson carry this team?
6. NC State- The third of NC State's three game chance to put a stamp on their resume is tonight versus UNC in Raleigh. The Wolfpack have lost two in a row to Duke and Florida State, and looked bad against the Seminoles. The best NC State has to offer usually comes out during home meetings versus Carolina, and they need it if they want an outside chance at an at-large bid.
7. Maryland- Maryland accomplished something this week: proving their are the top six teams in the conference and then the bottom six. A bad loss at Virginia was not what this team needed, but there is still a chance. The Terps still have games against Miami, North Carolina, and Virginia to gain momentum going into the ACC tournament.
8. Clemson- The Tigers had a successful week, beating Virginia at home and putting up a fight that was closer than the score in Chapel Hill. Now having lost 56 in a row to Carolina in Chapel Hill, the Tigers should be able to shrug that off and move forward. Milton Jennings is beginning to assert himself as a playmaker, and games at Georgia Tech and versus NC State could be a chance for the Tigers to climb to .500 in the conference.
9. Virginia Tech- The Hokies looked like they had a bit of a hangover from the last second defeat to Florida State when they had to take an extra period to beat lowly Georgia Tech by one point. Virginia Tech showed defensive promise in their game against the Seminoles and need to focus on the good that came out of that game. Unfortunately, the have Virginia and Duke this week.
10. Wake Forest- The Deacons proved they were not the worst team in the conference in a defeat of Georgia Tech but still have a long ways to go. Games to come versus Boston College and a rematch with the Yellow Jackets give Wake a chance to secure the nine spot in the conference tournament.
11. Boston College- Four of the Eagles top five players are freshman. That showed in a blowout loss to Duke this week. There is a future in Chestnut Hill and Ryan Anderson is quietly going to become a star.
12. Georgia Tech- Glen Rice, Jr.'s suspension did not help anything in Atlanta. The Yellow Jackets lost to two of the teams they had a chance to beat in Virginia Tech and Wake Forest this week. Get ready to face Miami or NC State in the opening round of the ACC tournament as the bottom seed.
No comments:
Post a Comment