Sunday, January 8, 2017

Things Will Sort Themselves Out

Last week at this time the four ACC basketball schools from North Carolina all sat stunned that they had all lost their opening  conference basketball games and sat tied for last.  It maybe was not so much a surprise that they lost but State, Duke and Carolina all lost by double digits.

Some sanity has been restored as Duke has two conference victories at home this week and both State and Carolina one each.  One of
the two will add their second win by dark this afternoon when they will  collide in Chapel Hill.

I see no way the Deacons of Wake Forest will by the end of the ACC Tournament play will have enough wins to make the NCAA's.  The rest do so lets look over how good the other three really are

North Carolina State roared back after their loss in Miami last weekend and by the way there are ten or more teams in the ACC they could be good enough to qualify for the Tournament but the numbers just do not add up ten or more can make it.  It is imperative that every team has to win their 9 home games and win what you can on the road.

All three State,Duke and Carolina all lost on the road last week and Duke and State all three games at home they have won big. Is that a sign that none are really powerhouse teams?

State has 7 players who are playing their first year. They looked it at Miami. They showed against Virginia Tech what they could be.  I think they will be a load for  anybody by March.  They need to win enough to stay in the NCAA hunt.  They must intensify their defense.

During the Kentucky game all the shots made by the Tar Heels, the Wildcats shots could be marked as a great game but Clemson's ability to drive all night to the basket has to be a Roy Williams concern.  The good news is the Tar Heels did get a road win.

Duke bounces back with two wins  this week both  at home.  Grayson Allen timely returns at the start of conference play.  Big question I have is who is the leader of this team.  Allen showed last year with his antics and he is doing it again this year that he is not a leader any team needs to. have.

It is amazing how great every team looks when shots go in.  There's 9 more weeks to go and there will be nights when nothing falls but somebody will prevail anyway in the ACC.  The big question this year will it be a team from the Triangle.