A Week Left

There is one week to go in the ACC basketball race and the three Triangle teams still vie for position for any upcoming playoff action.  Both Duke and Carolina have records that assure them NCAA bids but both have had periods of time that they show signs of weakness.  For what ever reason NC State has had a year to win more than they lose will be a big accomplishment.

Wolfpack:  The team that finished last year and what was to be this year's team never materialized.  Defections to the pros of a player who's pro potential was questionable and a major injury to his replacement has created a struggle the entire season.  Cat Barber just might be the best player in the league but can he win the MVP of the league on a team that will not make NCAAs?

If Cat is to be a good pro he will have to do it as a shooting guard.  He dribbles too much.  The amount of minutes he controls the ball he doesn't make his teammates better.  The Pack's other players are limited. Two of their rebounders can't score.  Abu could be next year one of the best players in the league but must rely on someone getting him the ball.  Their outside shooters are inconsistent.

Their inside defense causes trouble for every team they play which helps keep them in every game.  The bottom line on the Pack.  They need to finish one win more than they lose to just get into any of the other tournaments.  Maybe Next Year.

Duke:  How does a team with the status of Duke only have seven or eight players  on scholarship?  I thought they got anybody they wanted. Despite limited number of players Coach K gets every ounce  out of his players.

They don't have much defense under the basket.  They need a point guard to get the ball to the right player at the right time so they don't have go one on one so much.  They also have the best coach who even pushing retirement gets better with age.

Can the Devils repeat as national champions?  I doubt it.  I don't see this team winning six in a row and I could also see them losing the first round.  I don't think that will happen if they get placed in Raleigh.

The Tar Heels:  Preseason number one.  At times this year they have played like they are the best team in the country.  Their best player has not had the year that his past three have been.  If he was having and average of his first three the Heels would be by far the best team in the country.  Just suppose he finds his shot during the tournament.  Their three point shooting team wise is awful for a top five team.

They have a boat load of big men that play too soft.  One problem for their big men just might be they have too many and each doesn't play enough.  They do shoot  well from 10 to 15 feet from basket which offsets their lack of power underneath.

The biggest problem Carolina has is everyone's expectation.  When you look at the rest of the nation  there is no one any better.  With all the complains from fans they are capable enough to put together six games in a row and win it all.  Any thing less than a final four appearance will be disappointment.

Both Duke and Carolina both have won so much over the last forty years that they both have that swagger of confidence that State doesn't have anymore.  How times have changed.  The late 40's all of the 50's  and half of the 1960's  the Pack was the team that brought the ACC to national prominence in basketball.