With the first two games played yesterday, we move to the first full day of games. I thought I could start this thread for people to post any thoughts they have about the games today.
I know I'll be watching during school on WatchESPN. The school wifi doesn't block that, but does block websites like Reddit and Twitter. (??) Anybody else "working" today?
Higher seed listed first
Noon
Game 1 -- Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse
This is probably the game of the day. Most of the bracketology people have it as an elimination game, with the winner going dancing, and the loser going to the NIT. It should be interesting to see how Pitt plays against the zone. The winner of this game plays UNC tomorrow at noon.
Around 2 PM
Game 2 -- Duke vs. NC State
NC State won their game against Wake yesterday afternoon, using a late push by Maverick Rowan to distance themselves down the stretch. It's a hard matchup for the Wolfpack, with the Duke bigs being too agile, and the Duke guards too quick off the dribble. The winner of this game plays Notre Dame tomorrow around 2.
7 PM
Game 3 -- Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
This is also an intriguing matchup, with people saying that Georgia Tech could be the sleeper of the tournament. Blossomgame for the Tigers was a First-Team All-ACC member, so look for Clemson to go through him for most of their offense. The winner of this game plays LOLuva tomorrow at 7.
Around 9 PM
Game 4 -- Virginia Tech vs. FSU
Let me just start by saying that it is so much fun to list the Hokies as the higher seed. This should also be a good game, with our win against the 'Noles coming at the start of our current win streak. FSU is coming off their game against BC yesterday, so supposedly they should be tired. It was BC however, so the jury is still out on that one. The winner of this game moves on to play Miami tomorrow night around 9
I'll keep this thread updated today if people want me to. I can also keep doing this for the rest of the tournament, just let me know if that's something people want.
edit: Updated at 5:15 PM
Both early games were close, exciting matchups. If you wade through all the useless (/s) gifs that we seemed to love at TKP, you'll see some comments on what went down this afternoon.
Highlights from the first two games
- The clocks didn't work for the first game (they got fixed for the 2nd)
- Pittsburgh just about choked the game away, but held on in the end 72-71 and play UNC tomorrow
- NC State and Duke scored a lot of points. It was 53-51 at halftime.
- Duke won 92-89, setting up a matchup with Notre Dame tomorrow.
Comments
FSU was able to spread significant minutes to the bench last night. I'm doubting that they will have tired legs at end of game based on the box score. Starting 5 had 43 points with Beasley leading FSU with 28 Minutes of playing time. The Bench put in 45 points, I hope they struggle tonight.
I see Pittsburgh squeaking by Syracuse in the noon matchup. Was much more impressed with Pitt over the course of the year than I was with Syracuse. Syracuse's one win in their last five was against NCST and one of those four losses was a drubbing to Pittsburgh.
With NCST coming off of a win last night I see them bringing some early momentum and energy against Duke, but eventually Duke will pull it away as it is less reliant on one player to handle most of the scoring. Close until halftime, Duke will pull away.
As the initial thread discussion said I also think GT is a sleeper for the tournament, I really haven't seen enough of these two teams to truly pick a winner though. Clemson is solid as it GT. Will most likely come down to the final two possessions. I feel that GT can pull it out, but also feel the same for Clemson. Tossup matchup..
Now what we all will be sitting around waiting for... I think that FSU is a young, solid team with great energy. I believe we are similar. FSU ended the year strong with two wins and got another win last night over BC (but everyone does). This will not be an easy game in anyway. We didn't exactly run them out of the arena last time the two played though the ten point advantage will say otherwise. I feel that our young Hokies have what it takes though. With FSU coming off a game yesterday, I can see us pulling this one out! Go Hokies!
Each of my predictions are spot on.. was leaning towards GT though I didn't formally say so. Let's hope for a similar result for our Hokies!
I have to keep reminding myself that a "sleeper" label is reserved for a lower seed team, and we do not qualify for that, so we are not being snubbed.
It's in our blood to feel snubbed.
I think the major "X-factor" over the last 5 games has been Justin Robinson. Dude has been playing really well as of late. When he is playing well and Allen is running at the 2 spot, this team becomes much more difficult to defend. I think as long as this is the case the Hokies have a chance against anyone.
Agreed. JR seems much more adept at running the point: great handles and not overeager to force himself into the lane to try to create. Although Seth Allen is guilty of this, the man can still put up some big points when he can take care of the ball. They are a great two-guard combo. GO HOKIES!
Yes, please keep this thread updated. Work and life keeps distracting me from the important things like this and I need to know there's a place I can go for all the information I need on the Hokies in the ACC tournament.
Going to be a long twelve hours. I'm nervous already. Hopefully our DC fanbase shows up big and makes it Cassell North.
So...Buzz Williams is King of the North?
I don't think I want him to be The King in the North.
I don't want Buzz to become this:
Hold your grounds! Hold your grounds! Sons of Virginia Tech, the Hokies, my brothers.
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the life of a coach. A day may come, where the courage of players fail. When we forsake our plans and break our run to the big dance. But it is not this day, an hour of drained threes and hard fouls. A day when our Cinderella dreams comes crashing down. But it is not this day! This day, we ball!
Wait - that's not a GoT gif.
So, essentially, this is you right now
(All in good fun. Luff u bby.)
You're so mean.
Edit: sorry to all those who came here looking for basketball related things
I don't know how to respond to this so...
Let's just keep going with these GoT/LOTR/Monty Python gifs
via GIPHY
Come at me Bro!
via GIPHY
Huh, ACC officials' uniforms have gotten a bit strange lately.
Hey, it's that Apocalypse dude from the new X-Men that hasn't been released yet!!!
We're the higher seed, but I believe we'll still be the underdog today. I don't think there's a line out on it yet, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see FSU favored by 3 points.
It opened at FSU -2.5, has grown to FSU -4.
Yeah I think many observers would say FSU is the better team even though we finished 5 spots ahead of them and have a better conf. record by 2 games.
And beat them by 10 points...
We've been favored twice in ACC play all season. If you rode VT on the spread all season you'd be up a good amount of money. 14-4 ATS this season in ACC play.
Question: sarcastica??
Currently FSU -2.5
FSU's height scares me the most. In most of our losses we have been out rebounded, and especially on the offensive side.
Hopefully Bacon doesnt go bananas on us again or that would be nuts.... :)
mmm...bacon, bananas and nuts...
A healthy breakfast if I ever seen one.
Will they sell beer tonight? Sometimes I'll see fans with beers on tv at neutral site games, but I've never understood how that works
i went to the sec and acc tournaments last year and i know the sec definitely did not sell beer. i'm pretty sure the acc tournament did not sell beer either. i think it may have to do with conference/school rules
Follow up question: how tight is security? Will my flask make it into the building?
they have metal detectors. so probably not a flask. Maybe conveniently placed plastic airplane bottles. I can't remember if they pat you down.
Shit. Hope we get a comfortable lead early cause I'm already stressed
You mean those little plastic airplane bottles with the metal caps?
Unlikely - I think its an ACC thing. I've been to the ACC football, baseball and wrestling championships and none of those served beer. Seems like they don't want our money.
I was at the tournament in Greensboro a couple years ago, and for the people who were lucky enough to have tickets in one of the VIP suites, there was plenty of booze available. Not for the general public, unfortunately.
My understanding, though from a story by a bartender in Louisville (now thats a sauce), is that it WAS ACC policy, but that Louisville led the charge to get this changed, as papa John had spent millions to update their basketball and football facilities for beer sales right before their admission to the conference. This why we will have some beer sales in Lane next year. Not sure if true or when it takes affect, but I believe in the future tournament and championship vendors will be able to.
I saw plenty of tall boy beer cans in the crowd watching the games on TV last night. So apparently beer is being served in DC.
Well... Looks like we're going to have to win the whole fucking thing
Only gonna happen if we start praying to Joboo.
Fuck you, Jobu... I do it myself
Are you saying Jesus Christ can't hit a curve ball?
Them's fightin words!
I think we're all on the same page here.
Right on!
Ah, going to Major League 2 now I see. Just avoid the 3rd, that was the only one that wasn't funny.
Look, I refuse to acknowledge that movie as a Major League movie. You know, because part of the basis of Major League is that it takes place in the Major League, and not the minors. So when it comes to talking about ML3
via GIPHY
Damn it wrong movie
Any good bars (pref with outdoor seating) within a 10-12 block radius of Verizon Center? The closer the better, but i figured i would cast a wide net to increase feedback potential.
There are a ton in just a 2 block radius. That whole area is pretty inundated with restaurants and bars. I'm not sure about outdoor though.
Bar Deco is a place I like and where I am probably going. Its relatively new and literally across the street from Verizon center where Green Turtle is and they have a nice rooftop
There are a number of good places in Chinatown, where the Verizon Center is located. You shouldn't have to go your 10-12 blocks for a beverage. Places that will be jumping are probably going to be: Fado, RFD Washington, Matchbox, Bar Louie and RedLine. There is also a Clyde's and a Legal Seafoods all within 2 blocks of the Verizon Center (7th St between F and H)
If you are looking for a true sports bar then I would venture a little farther afield and try Penn Quarter Sports Tavern (7th and Indiana) or Elephant and Castle (12th and Penn)
All of these places are in "NW"
Soooooo in case you haven't seen this yet, the senior center for BC gave the most depressing postgame interview ever...
I'm having trouble embedding the video from ESPN's fantastic video player (/ssssss) so you will have to do it the hard way and follow the magic linky.
God that was brutal to watch. He's been so frustrated all season and is still trying to take the high road.
Really makes you wish they had beat FSU yesterday.
That's the most awful postgame interview I've ever watched. Kid tried so damn hard and all he has to show for it is the time he spent away from the court with his teammates.
For selfish reasons I need the 7pm game to go into at least double overtime. That will give me a chance to watch the game when I get to work.
Get into work early, your boss will think you are putting in extra effort. It's like killing one bird with one stone while being friends with another bird that better not find out that you killed that other bird.
Called it!!
I was so happy. I got to work and was able to watch all but the first 3 or so minutes.
Do you guys watch the ESPN coverage or ACC Network coverage?
I'm watching it on ESPN
Please get these clock problems resolved before tonight's game...
#goacc
Having to drop the shot clock to the floor is ridiculous at a tournament of this level.
So do we play at 9 or 9:30? I've been reading both and it's really confusing.
The time on the ticket is 9:00, but realistically the second game starts about half an hour after the first one finishes.
To answer your question we'll tip around 9:30 barring overtime in the GT/Clemson game.
Grrrr......need sleep!
Must suck. Starts at 7:30 for me
1 reason to be cheering for Pitt right now. It's not a blowout anymore, but a win is a win
So much for that. Pitt is blowing it big time. Reminiscent of VT vs. Syracuse.
I've been wondering about which outcome would be better for us since we lost to Syracuse. This makes sense though. Hopefully Pitt stops choking now.
Did Cuse just slip off the Bubble?
Joe put it best
Syracuse lost this game as soon as Boeheim called off the dogs when they tied it up.
Suck it 'Cuse!
He just really had to go to the bathroom which is why he called off the dogs.
So glad they put Cooney in for the last shot. Gbinije has been money at the end of games.
Gbinije almost came to VT when he picked Duke.
Pitt was doubling him the whole way. There's no way he was getting the ball.
Cuse 1-5 over last six games. I think they just fell to NIT.
I didn't see the game, but just looked at the play-by play. When you're down 68-70, how the heck do you let Pitt burn 30 seconds (from :53 to :23)? I gotta think you have to foul in that situation. Maybe they make both, in which case at least you still have the clock. If they make one, you're still within one score. Miss both and you've got clock and possession. Am I missing something here?
Still would have been left with time after the shot clock and they had 8 fouls. I like the strategy there.
Depends how good you feel on defense. Syracuse actually played good defense and Pitt's PG James Robinson made a tough shot. If he misses, Syracuse likely runs down the court and tries to get a 2-pointer and force some contact to at least get to the free throw line. It can be hard to come back by fouling a good free throw shooting team.
He traveled. If pitt win helps tech, I don't care, but he dragged his pivot foot all over the place....
There's an NC State fan rocking a ponytail and slamming a 24oz Michelob ultra behind me.
pics or it didn't happen
God bless NC State. VT of the Atlantic division.
You had me at 24oz!
Yeah, but look at what it's 24oz of. It would take slamming ten of 'em to get enough alcohol to make it worth the effort.
Does that mean they're selling alcohol or you're in a luxury suite with some random NC State fan?
Right. What were we talking about again??
I feel like that guy may be related to Kenny Powers.
Haha have a leg Kenny Powers.
That sounds about right... Having lived in eastern NC for a few years, NCSU fans (not all, but many) have a close resemblance to WVU fans.
Forgive me for the stereotype if it doesn't fit your experience.
I can't put my finger on why, but Doris Burke is very attractive to me.
Wait... I can say that here, right?
sure... just don't start confessing to tampering with peep holes at her hotel...that really sounds like a euphemism, but it's not. It could cost you millions plus time in jail.
Flip girl for dude.
As long as you don't say that Doris Burke is bae...you should be good
I mean I'm sure she's qualified and all...
Having to watch Seth Greenberg talk about Virginia Tech basketball makes me cringe for him.
Not me.
Love It!
Aren't we still paying $300,000 per year for him to coach our team? I think that's why he still is an announcer as opposed to a coach.
And here I am working to get money, like a fool.
Because we're paying him to do literally anything but coach our team.
Cat Barber is a warrior. Love watching him play.
That was an anticlimactic finish. I hoped NC state would have used that Duke timeout to have a play in mind for when they got the turn over. Instead they go down the court, do absolute squat, and force barber to try to drive to create something, resulting in a steal and Duke just playing keep away.
Hey now, it's not over yet
edit: Now it is
I don't like Mark Gottfried. He gets high profile recruits and underachieves.
Hey Joe, how many times did you have to suffer through the Zooperstars? Possibly the worst 1/2 time I've seen in a long time
Which of these teams has a better shot at upsetting the Hoos? Cause that's who I'm rooting for.
Who do we want in this game? We beat both, but got GT in Atlanta.
I don't think that it will impact our RPI drastically if Clemson wins, and I also think Clemson is NIT bound as well (barring a championship).
So I'm going for the Jackets, because underdog and I've always loved Adam Smith and his playing style.
Doesn't look like it will go that way, but one can have hope.
Yup, I've found myself rooting for Smith tonight.
This is a good game and all, but if it goes to OT then Ima be pissed.
You gonna be pissed.
Godamnit
Edit: Projected number 1 seed: Virginia
Godamnit
The good news is Clemson lost! The bad news is GT won...
GT Clemson OT. UGGH.
And we wait. At least my friend beer is here.
Thank you Clempson for completely sucking at closing out with an 18 pt lead and pushing our game into tomorrow...........
welp, since I'm gonna be up really late now, i might as well start drinkin' a little more than I planned to, and enjoy our game more, but make sure i don't work on anything really important at work tomorrow.....
^VDoT supervisor on any given weekday, probably.
Does Clemsoning apply to basketball?
It does now.
Also, Clemsoning was something a SG coached Tech team would do when they played Clemson
That Malcolm Delaney buzzer beater though...
shhh. Don't let Dabo hear you.