Not sure how much people want this post, but I thought I would continue the trend of posts where we can discuss the other games going on, considering it seems to be enjoyed in the past.
It was a tough game for the Hokies last night, but both semifinals should be great tonight.
7 PM
UNC vs. Notre Dame
It's all chalk in the semifinals, but that should lend to the best matchups. As much as people wanted Duke-Carolina, I think that Duke would have been too tired to make that a good game. Notre Dame can really play good basketball when they get going, and is the first team to win 5 straight over Duke and UNC for the first time since the Tim Duncan era at Wake. Brice Johnson played at a high level yesterday, and I look for him to continue that tonight. Expect a good, close, hyper-competitive game tonight with the Tar Heels pulling it out at the end.
9:30 PM
UVA vs. Miami
Both teams showed a different type of offense proficiency last night. UVA slowly but surely dismantled the Jackets, using their stifling defense to create easy basket after easy basket. Miami, on the other hand, showed great comfort in shooting the ball against the Hokies, draining many deep 3's. The packline defense from the Cavs won't matchup well against the deep shooting by the Hurricanes if Rodriguez, McClellan and Co. are shooting the lights out again.
Whoever can break the other teams emphasis first (UVA has defense, Miami has offense), will win this game.
Comments
My brain tells me UNC and UVA advance but my heart says ND will pull it out and Miami keeps it close. UVA and Miami split during the regular season but UVA is (unfortunately) hitting on all cylinders. They might actually win something this season. I think UVA wins a close one.
VT is out of it. My interest drops. I'll probably watch some of the finals Saturday.
I don't want ND in the final. Their ACC deal just ticks me off.
Two pretty exciting match ups especially the second game as UVA and Miami split games earlier this year.
I think this is the key to the loluva - Miami game. If Miami can consistently hit the deep 3-ball like they were last night, the pack line is not going to help. UVa will have to play outside their comfort zone, and that has to favor the 'Canes.
Another key factor will be the refs. They were very whistle-happy in our two games. I didn't watch any other ones, so I don't know that was exclusive to our games or if that's just how they're calling this whole tournament. In Miami's last 2 games vs us, they've been very aggressive and physical. If the refs don't swallow the whistles for this one and a couple guys get in foul trouble, Miami's lack of depth could really hurt them.
I. Hate. UVA.
But you have to admit they play too ugly to watch, too.
I don't care either. After staying up late two nights in a row, I have little interest in watching, even though I usually watch lol play just to root for the other team. Tonight, I still care enough that they lose, but I don't want to root for Miami actively, so I'll just skip it.
If you aren't watching the UCONN/Cincy game right now, you're missing some amazing stuff. Going into the 4th OT right now.
Just checked the score and saw the 3OT buzzer beater. Wish I hadn't missed it.
Anyway all 4 of them can loose?
It's been a little amazing to see the arena transform from session to session. I've been to each of the evening sessions this week. It was Cassell North on Wednesday, LOLUVA had a distinct voice on Thursday and tonight it is a UNC home crowd. Lots of Carolina blue walking the concourses
Edit - now that the second game has started, sound volume of fans is about 75/25 UVA fans to everyone else. Seems like UNC fans are slightly routing for Miami.
Another random anecdote from inside the arena. Just spent the 1st game stuck next to a LOLUVA football season ticket holder. He doesn't have enough alumni club seniority to purchase basketball tickets and got his ACC tournament book from the Syracuse website.
I can't figure out if I should feel sorry for him (LOLUVA Football season tickets, that's a waste of $$$) or frustrated that my Gokden Hokie ACC booklet is in the same nosebleeds that any gaboon clicking on the Syracuse website could get.
I have a hard time believing that either Miami or UVA could even come close to beating UNC if tomorrow the Tarheels play like they've played tonight. Damn impressive.
Relevant:
I'm watching the ESECPN broadcast and they were showing VT on the big screen as well.
Bummer - they corrected it
We just got called "not a bad loss" for both UVA and Miami by Jay Williams. So we have that going for us.
It appears as if we're going to be watching the Jim Laranaga locker room motivation show again tonight.
In the name of all things that don't suck,
please tell me someone has footage to gif another cavman fail.
Bring on the horse!
Miami trying to attack the rim and they aren't getting the benefit of the whistle tonight. Hugely inconsistent officiating throughout the week. If this game had the FSU game officials, Miami would have already shot 20 free throws tonight.
Oklahoma just got FSU'd. Buddy Hield hit a half court shot to win. They went to the monitor and it was still just barely in his hand as time expired. Crazy day of basketball today.
"FSU'd" Boom. Announcer kept saying he'd never seen anything like it, and I kept saying "I Have!". Best ACC Tourney game I've been to. (though ours was not from 3/4 court).
Did anyone else just watch that WVU vs OK game????
I really can't decide who I want to lose this game more LOLUVA or UNcheat?
Really? Not having that problem at all, and I now live south of the border, lived the first year of my life in A Uva grad apartment, and my dad took me to see Sampson play several times growing up. FUVA. May this start a 10 game losing streak.
You know you've "seen" too much basketball this week when you start critiquing the pep bands. IMO Miami had the best of the week. LOLUVA has no feeling, they play like it's just notes on the page. Hokies were solid
VCU pep band by far.
Anyone watching the SEC final? If not it's a great game.