ACC Nation

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2007-01-31T23:26:00.000-05:00

Please visit our new and improved ACC Nation.com site, which now contains the ACC Nation blog. You can also listen to the latest ACC Nation podcast or visit our store.

Around ACC Nation

2007-01-28T22:24:00.000-05:00

This could be a turning point for Virginia basketball. The Cavs beat NC State on the road, but then again, the Wolfpack aren't that great this season. But to go into Clemson and knock off the Tigers 64-63, especially after being down 16 in the second half, is huge for the Cavaliers. Plus, J.R. Reynolds continued his hot play. One has to wonder if three huge games in a row is a fluke or if Reynolds is finally doing what everyone thought he could throughout his career.

Times Dispatch

Don't look now, but Duke is getting better. The Devils have won five in a row after beating Boston College 75-61. Of course, Thursday night at Virginia will be a test. The Cavs are very good at home.

ESPN.com

Here's something I didn't expect to be writing on Jan. 28 - Virginia Tech is in first place in the ACC. After the Hokies beat Georgia Tech Sunday and BC fell to Duke, Virginia Tech took over first in the conference. Not bad for a team that lost to Western Michigan and Marshall earlier this season.

Times Dispatch

AJC

In women's basketball, North Carolina beat Maryland behind Ivory Latta's 32 points. Maryland, the defending national champion, has now lost to Duke and Carolina.

Fox Sports

North Carolina State, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Florida State also won in women's hoops Sunday.

TheACC.com

Carolina rolls, FSU knocks off Wake

2007-01-28T07:37:00.000-05:00

How impressive was Carolina yesterday? Even without Brandan Wright and Marcus Ginyard, the Tar Heels went into Arizona, ranked No. 17 in the country, and destroyed the Wildcats 92-64. A lot of questions have been answered with the improved play of Ty Lawson. There's still plenty of season left, but if Carolina continues playing like this the Heels could be scary good come March.

News and Observer story

Tucson Citizen story

Andy Katz's take

The only other ACC game yesterday featured Florida State squeaking by Wake Forest. Here's the story from the Tallahasse Democrat.

ACC officials admit to mistake

2007-01-27T07:05:00.000-05:00

John Clougherty, the ACC's coordinator of basketball officials, made the following statement about a timing error at the end of the Clemson-Duke game Thursday night.

"The league acknowledges that a timing error was made in not starting the game clock at the correct time, when the ball was stolen by Clemson's Vernon Hamilton off the in-bounded pass from Duke's Josh McRoberts."

Following Hamilton's steal, the guard hit a jumper to tie the game at 66, but officials realized that the game clock didn't start until right before ball went through the basket. Then it continued to run, going from 5.0 seconds to 1.8 seconds. The clock should have started when Hamilton touched the ball and stopped after his shot was made.

Officials, after studying TV replays, decided that 4.4 seconds should have remained on the clock, but they didn't take into consideration that the clock never started when Hamilton stole the ball.

ESPN, which broadcast the game, looked at the replays also and determined that 2.4 seconds should have been left on the clock. But, with those two additional seconds put on the clock by ACC officials, Duke was able to get the ball down the court and score on a David-McClure layup as the buzzer sounded. Duke won 68-66.

"We came to this conclusion after completing a review of the game film as well as internal conversations with the crew of officials, both head coaches and conference office staff," said Clougherty. "At this point, as with most league officiating matters, this situation has been handled and resolved internally."

For his part, Clemson coach Oliver Purnell seems to be taking it all in stride, at least publicly.

"I spoke with John Clougherty of the ACC this morning and we discussed what took place at the end of the Duke game last night. He acknowledged that there was a timing error and the matter will be handled internally. I am satisfied with their review in this matter."

Then Purnell turned his attention to the Tigers' next game.

"We now need to put 100 percent of our focus on our game with
Virginia on Sunday and that is what we will do starting with today's practice," Purnell said Friday.

- Patrick Hite

ACC Nation (weekend of January 26)

2007-01-26T06:34:00.000-05:00

Click here to listen

(Go to Download this week's show, complete show and click on ACC Nation (weekend of January 26) )

On ACC Nation this weekend, ESPN’s Andy Katz joins the guys to talk ACC hoops.

Patrick and Chris also chat with Mark Berman of the Roanoke Times about Virginia Tech basketball.

In Inside the Nation, the guys take a look at what NBA scouts think of some ACC players, and they’ll discuss the ACC football schedule on the Sound and the Fury.

That and more on ACC Nation

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Coach K haters unite

2007-01-25T23:10:00.000-05:00

Washington's Gilbert Arenas sure can hold a grudge. Of course, I have no problem with the object of his bitterness.

Arenas is now a member of the "I hate Coach K and Duke" club, and, speaking as a card-carrying member of that group, I welcome all new members - the more the merrier.

Arenas is upset about being left off of the U.S. national team, and said he's score 84 or 85 points against Duke if he could go back to college. Of course, Duke is coached by Mike Krzyzewski, who also coached the national team.

Here's the story

- Patrick Hite

ACC football schedule

2007-01-24T17:18:00.000-05:00

The ACC released is football schedule. The team-by-team schedule is below. A few things that are worthy of attention:

Boston College plays three conference games to start the season;

Duke will be 0-12 once again;

One would think Carolina should get a win to start off the Butch-Davis era, considering they play Division I-AA (or is that NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision team) James Madison;

Wake Forest will have a tough time going undefeated in the non-conference portion of its schedule with Nebraska coming to town (although I'm not saying the Deacons can't be the Huskers)

Boston College
Sept. 1 Wake Forest
Sept. 8 NC State
Sept. 15 at Georgia Tech
Sept. 22 Army
Sept. 29 Massachusetts
Oct. 6 Bowling Green
Oct. 13 at Notre Dame
Oct. 20 Open
Oct. 25 at Virginia Tech (Thursday)
Nov. 3 Florida State
Nov. 10 at Maryland
Nov. 17 at Clemson
Nov. 24 Miami

Clemson
Sept. 3 Florida State (Monday)
Sept. 8 Louisiana Monroe
Sept. 15 Furman
Sept. 22 at NC State
Sept. 29 at Georgia Tech
Oct. 6 Virginia Tech
Oct. 13 Open
Oct. 20 Central Michigan
Oct. 27 at Maryland
Nov. 3 at Duke
Nov. 10 Wake Forest
Nov. 17 Boston College
Nov. 24 at South Carolina

Duke
Sept. 1 Connecticut
Sept.8 at Virginia
Sept. 15 at Northwestern
Sept. 22 at Navy
Sept. 29 at Miami
Oct. 6 Wake Forest
Oct. 13 Virginia Tech
Oct. 20 Open
Oct. 27 at Florida State
Nov. 3 Clemson
Nov. 10 Georgia Tech
Nov. 17 at Notre Dame
Nov. 24 at North Carolina

Florida State
Sept. 3 at Clemson (Monday)
Sept. 8 UAB
Sept. 15 at Colorado
Sept. 22 Open
Sept. 29 Alabama (Jacksonville)
Oct. 6 NC State
Oct. 11 at Wake Forest (Thursday)
Oct. 20 Miami
Oct. 27 Duke
Nov. 3 at Boston College
Nov. 10 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 17 Maryland
Nov. 24 at Florida

Georgia Tech
Sept. 1 at Notre Dame
Sept. 8 Samford
Sept. 15 Boston College
Sept. 22 at Virginia
Sept. 29 Clemson
Oct. 6 at Maryland
Oct. 13 at Miami
Oct. 20 Army
Oct. 27 Open
Nov. 1 Virginia Tech (Thursday)
Nov. 10 at Duke
Nov. 17 North Carolina
Nov. 24 Georgia

Maryland
Sept. 1 Villanova
Sept. 8 at Florida International
Sept. 13 West Virginia (Thursday)
Sept. 22 at Wake Forest
Sept. 29 at Rutgers
Oct. 6 Georgia Tech
Oct. 13 Open
Oct. 20 Virginia
Oct. 27 Clemson
Nov. 3 at North Carolina
Nov. 10 Boston College
Nov. 17 at Florida State
Nov. 24 at NC State

Miami
Sept. 1 Marshall
Sept. 8 at Oklahoma
Sept. 15 Florida International
Sept. 20 Texas A&M (Thursday)
Sept. 29 Duke
Oct. 6 at North Carolina
Oct. 13 Georgia Tech
Oct. 20 at Florida State
Oct. 27 Open
Nov. 3 NC State
Nov. 10 Virginia
Nov. 17 at Virginia Tech
Nov. 24 at Boston College

North Carolina
Sept. 1 James Madison
Sept. 8 at East Carolina
Sept. 15 Virginia
Sept. 22 at South Florida
Sept. 29 at Virginia Tech
Oct. 6 Miami
Oct. 13 South Carolina
Oct. 20 Open
Oct. 27 at Wake Forest
Nov. 3 Maryland
Nov. 10 at NC State
Nov. 17 at Georgia Tech
Nov. 24 Duke

NC State
Sept. 1 Central Florida
Sept. 8 at Boston College
Sept. 15 Wofford
Sept. 22 Clemson
Sept. 29 Louisville (or Sept. 27)
Oct. 6 at Florida State
Oct. 13 Open
Oct. 20 at East Carolina
Oct. 27 Virginia
Nov. 3 at Miami
Nov. 10 North Carolina
Nov. 17 at Wake Forest
Nov. 24 Maryland

Virginia
Sept. 1 at Wyoming
Sept. 8 Duke
Sept. 15 at North Carolina
Sept. 22 Georgia Tech
Sept. 29 Pittsburgh
Oct. 6 at Middle Tennessee State
Oct. 13 Connecticut
Oct. 20 at Maryland
Oct. 27 at NC State
Nov. 3 Wake Forest
Nov. 10 at Miami
Nov. 17 Open
Nov. 24 Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech
Sept. 1 East Carolina
Sept. 8 at LSU
Sept. 15 Ohio University
Sept. 22 William & Mary
Sept. 29 North Carolina
Oct. 6 at Clemson
Oct. 13 at Duke
Oct. 20 Open
Oct. 25 Boston College (Thursday)
Nov. 1 at Georgia Tech (Thursday)
Nov. 10 Florida State
Nov. 17 Miami
Nov. 24 at Virginia

Wake Forest
Sept. 1 at Boston College
Sept. 8 Nebraska
Sept. 15 Army
Sept. 22 Maryland
Sept. 29 Open
Oct. 6 at Duke
Oct. 11 Florida State (Thursday)
Oct. 20 at Navy
Oct. 27 North Carolina
Nov. 3 at Virginia
Nov. 10 at Clemson
Nov. 17 NC State
Nov. 24 at Vanderbilt

Labor Day Bowden Bowl

2007-01-19T21:02:00.000-05:00

I find this interesting. Last year FSU played Miami on Labor Day and the Hurricanes' coach was fired after the season. This year the Seminoles play Clemson on Labor Day ... I'm not saying, I'm just saying.

Patrick

Clemson press release:

Clemson will open its 2007 football schedule against Florida State on Labor Day Night (September 3, 2007) in a game that will be televised nationally on ESPN. This will be the first time Clemson has played a regular season game on a Monday night since 1982 when the Tigers opened the season at Georgia in a nationally televised game on ABC.

"The Clemson-Florida State game is one of our most viewed telecasts, and eagerly anticipated match-ups each year," said Dave Brown, vice president, ESPN programming and acquisitions. "The popularity of our Labor Day primetime window is a natural fit for this game and we look forward to showcasing the Clemson-Florida State game to a national audience in an exclusive college football window."

Kickoff for the contest will be 8:00 PM.

"This will bring tremendous exposure to our program," said Head Coach Tommy Bowden. "The Clemson-Florida State game is always one of the most watched college games of the year and now it will be in a time slot on a holiday evening with no other college game broadcast at the same time.

Last year's Labor Day Night game between Florida State and Miami (FL) averaged 6,330,000 households, was the sixth most viewed regular season college football game on national television in 2006, ranked as ESPN's highest-rated college football game since 1994 with a 6.9 rating, and was the most viewed college football game in ESPN's history.

"As we saw last year when ESPN's College GameDay came to Clemson for the Georgia Tech game, this Labor Day evening game will be a great opportunity to showcase Clemson University," said Clemson Athletic Director Dr. Terry Don Phillips. "It will bring great exposure for the University as we strive to become a Top 20 national public university.”

The ACC has informed Dr. Phillips that Clemson will not have a Thursday Night game home or away during the 2007 season.

The Clemson vs. Florida State game will be the ninth meeting between Tigers Head Coach Tommy Bowden and his father, Florida State Hall of Fame Head Coach Bobby Bowden. Bobby has won five of the first eight, but Tommy has won three of the last four, including last year's game in Tallahassee, FL, a 27-20 Clemson victory on a one-yard touchdown run by James Davis with just eight seconds left.

The complete Clemson schedule for 2007 will be released at a later date.

Gailey to remain at Georgia Tech

2007-01-19T20:53:00.000-05:00

Some might say this is bad news for Georgia Tech, but Chan Gailey is remaining at the school as its football coach. Below is the press release announcing Gailey's decision.

Patrick

Press release from Georgia Tech:

Chan Gailey, Georgia Tech's head football coach since 2002,announced Friday that he will remain at Tech.

"I'm excited about the future here at Georgia Tech," Gailey said at a Friday afternoon press conference. "We have 17 of the 22 returning starters from the bowl game. We've got a great recruiting class. We've got a (Coastal) Division title to defend. It was a great opportunity for me and an honor to visit with these people but, I'm excited about the future here at Georgia Tech and where we're headed and what we're going to do for the next few years."

Gailey had been under consideration by for the head coaching position of the Miami Dolphins, the organization from which he was hired by Georgia Tech on Dec. 29, 2001. He spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons as the Dolphins' offensive coordinator before becoming the 11th head coach in Tech history. During his time in Miami, Gailey developed a close relationship with owner Wayne Huzienga, leading him to interview for the head coaching position.

"I'd like to thank all the fans and all of the members of the Georgia Tech family that have been so patient through this whole process," said Gailey. "It didn't happen nearly as quickly as anyone had hoped but we are excited that we are now able to go on to the next full speed ahead. Everybody has been very supportive and I'm deeply appreciative."

Gailey led Tech to a 9-5 record, the ACC Coastal Division title and a berth in the Toyota Gator Bowl in 2006. The Jackets return 17 starters from last year's squad that earned the school's 10th consecutive bowl berth, led by ACC rushing leader Tashard Choice, all-conference defenders Philip Wheeler, Jamal Lewis and Adamm Oliver and all-America punter Durant Brooks.

The 55-year-old Gailey has led the Yellow Jackets to winning seasons and bowl games in each of his five seasons on the Flats, compiling a record of 37-27. He joins college football legend John Heisman as the only head coaches in school history who have never had a losing season. Gailey's 37 victories rank fourth among all Tech head coaches, behind Bobby Dodd (166/22 seasons), William Alexander (134/25 seasons), Heisman (102/16 seasons) and George O'Leary (53/7 seasons).

Tech has posted seven victories over nationally-ranked teams under Gailey, six of them coming on the road, including wins at No. 10 Virginia Tech, at No. 3 Miami and at No. 15 Auburn over the last two seasons.

Ten Yellow Jackets earned all-Atlantic Coast Conference recognition in 2006, led by ACC Player of the Year and unanimous first-team all-American Calvin Johnson. Tech had a total of 28 first or second-team all-ACC selections over Gailey's five years, as well as 21 Academic All-ACC student-athletes through the 2005 season.

ACC Nation (weekend of January 19)

2007-01-18T22:23:00.000-05:00

Click here to listen

On ACC Nation this week, Steve Martin, play-by-play voice of ACC telecasts on Lincoln Financial Sports, visits with the guys to talk ACC hoops.

Patrick caught up with Johnny Holliday, Voice of the Terps, earlier this week and the two talked Maryland basketball. We'll have that interview for you,

Another listener tries to Win the Shirt off Chris' Back.

And, in the Sound and the Fury, Patrick and Chris rip Boston College and discuss why the UNC women might have trouble winning a national title.

All that and more on ACC Nation.

Click here to listen

Around ACC Nation

2007-01-18T06:31:00.000-05:00

More on the dismissal of two Boston College players. Sean Williams and Akida McLain are gone for good.

North Carolina bounced back from its loss to Virginia Tech, while the Hokies fell apart.

Former NC State coach Chuck Amato has a job, returning to Florida State under Bobby Bowden.

Boston College loses two players

2007-01-17T20:14:00.000-05:00

Boston College has dismissed Sean Williams and Akida McLain from its basketball team, according to this story. The loss of Williams will be huge. He was one of the best defenders in the conference and BC will find it difficult to replace him up front. Even though the Eagles are 5-0 in the ACC, Len Elmore, broacasting the UNC at Clemson game Wednesday night, said the loss of Williams ended Boston College's chances at the conference title.

- Patrick Hite

Around ACC Nation

2007-01-15T07:35:00.000-05:00

For those hoping Duke would never win again, so much for that dream.

In women's basketball, NC State and Virginia both won conference games. Carolina gets tested tonight with UConn visits Chapel Hill.

Sean Williams has stepped up his defense at Boston College. Here's a quote, from Jared Dudley, that I love from this story:
“Earlier in the year, Sean didn’t really play defense,” Jared Dudley said. “He just let everyone bring it to him and he blocked shots. That worked against teams like Duquesne and Providence, but it doesn’t work in the ACC. He’s being smarter now and we’re trying to stop the penetration to him.”
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't BC lose to both Duquesne and Providence, and aren't the Eagles unbeaten in the ACC? Oh well.

Speaking of unbeaten in the ACC, Virginia Tech is tied with BC at the top of the conference standings.

Georgia Tech may be losing its football coach, and no one seems to care.

For those enjoying the spring-like temperatures in the mid-Atlantic recently, here's some baseball news out of Florida State. The season begins - get ready for this - in less than three weeks.

Around ACC Nation

2007-01-13T07:33:00.000-05:00

The biggest game of the day is on the women's side, where Maryland is at Duke. It's the first meeting from the teams since last year's National Championship game. Friend of the Nation Beth Mowins writes that Crystal Langhore is the X factor in the game. She also writes that Kristi Toliver is ready to move on from the shot. Here's a good story on Maryland's Jade Perry.

Seth Davis thinks Carolina will go down this weekend when it plays at Virginia Tech.

Clemson needs to keep its mind on the game as the attention starts to mount for the only undefeated team in Division I men's basketball.

Georgia Tech upset Duke last week, but they are averaging almost 17 turnovers a game and that's a concern.

The latest in the Duke lacrosse case is that the prosecutor, who is facing ethics charges, has asked off the case.

Here's the latest Foul Shots column from the News and Observer. This week they take shots at everyone from UVa.'s win over Puerto Rico to Herb Sendek's slow start in Arizona to Gary Williams' s propensity to sweat a little too much during games.

ACC Nation (weekend of January 12)

2007-01-12T01:36:00.000-05:00

Click here to listen

On ACC Nation this weekend, Friend of the Nation Jeff White of the Richmond Times Dispatch stops by to talk both UVa. and Virginia Tech basketball.

Wes Durham, Georgia Tech’s play-by-play voice, talks about the Yellow Jackets’ big win over Duke earlier this week, plus he gives us the latest on Tech football and the NFL Draft.

And Rachel Carter of the News and Observer previews the Maryland-Duke women’s games this weekend.

That and more on ACC Nation

Click here to listen

Clemson on a roll

2007-01-10T20:20:00.000-05:00

Clemson rolled off 14 wins in a row before entering ACC play last week, leading some to compare the Tigers basketball team to the Wake Forest football team. But Dan Bonner, a college basketball analyst with Fox Sports Net and CBS, as well as ACC telecasts, wasn’t shocked to see the Tigers having success heading into January.

“Anytime a team goes through its non-conference schedule undefeated, I think you have to say that’s a surprise,” Bonner said, “but I expected Clemson would have a pretty good season.”

The winning didn't stop once the Tigers started ACC play. After beating North Carolina State Tuesday night, Clemson is 3-0 in conference play and, maybe more noteworthy, 2-0 on the road in the ACC.

With three of their five starters having seen significant minutes last season, plus the return of James Mays, who started 11 games before being placed on academic probation last season, Bonner knew Clemson had a chance to be good this year.

The only questions Bonner had about Clemson focused on the offense. He wondered about the Tigers' perimeter shooting and free throws. So far, that’s still a question. Clemson is eighth in field-goal percentage and 9th in three-point-shooting percentage in the ACC. As for free throws, the Tigers are last in the conference at 61.6 percent.

But it's defense where Clemson is making its mark this season. The Tigers have held opponents to just over 61 points a game – good enough for third in the ACC – and forced nearly 19 turnovers a game. That’s been enough to run off 17-straight wins, including the three ACC victories.

Vernon Hamilton and Cliff Hammonds have to be considered among the best backcourts in the ACC. Combined, the two average slightly more than 22 points a game, but you have to look past the numbers to realize the impact the guard duo has on the team.

"These guys strip steal and disrupt and square up about as well as any two guards I've seen," said Pete Yanity, who calls play-by-play for the Tigers’ radio network. "Watching Vernon Hamilton with a signature strip steal near midcourt is just a thing of beauty. He's made it such an art. And Cliff Hammonds, I think, is the best defensive player on this team."

After missing most of the season last year, Mays is back this season. So far he is getting the job done on offense, scoring nearly 13 points a game, but he also leads the Tigers with 7.3 rebounds per contest. But, like Hamilton and Hammonds, Mays brings more to the table than just the obvious statistics.

"He's one of the best defenders I've ever been around," Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said of Mays. "Certainly the best on the point of your press."

He has been crucial in keying that Clemson press and even held down the point on a 1-3-1 zone used by the Tigers in the win over Florida State.

"He's got good rebounding and scoring numbers," Yanity said, "but then add in the deflected balls, the intimidation factor in the paint, being there as another body inside along with Booker - that certainly has helped the development of Trevor Booker too."

Oh, yes, Booker. Even though Clemson is loaded with experience, Booker, just a freshman, has started all 16 games and is averaging 9.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a contest.

“He has proved to be just a force and looks like he has been in college hoops for a couple of years, not just a couple of months,” said Yanity.

One of the more interesting stats that jumps out at you about Clemson this season is that its leading scorer, K.C. Rivers, hasn't started a single game. He's averaging 15 points a game coming off the bench, a decision that was made in the second week of practice.

Rivers is one of only three players on the Clemson roster who can play point guard - Hamilton and Hammonds are the other two - and Purnell didn't want all three of them in the starting lineup. He discussed it with Rivers, who didn't hesitate to play the role as sixth man.

"Not only has he been tremendous offensively, he's been very good defensively and rebounding the basketball as well," Purnell said. "People notice him scoring in the box score, but if you look down that stat sheet carefully, you'll see that he gives us something in steals, assists, rebounding - that kind of thing. "

Before the Georgia Tech game, Bonner said he thought a Clemson win would make the Tigers a factor in the ACC race this season. Don’t look now, but Clemson is one of only four ACC teams ranked in the latest ESPN/USA Today poll, coming in at 14th. In the Associated Press poll, Clemson is 17th, but one of only three ACC teams to be ranked.

Purnell said he hasn't been following the attention his team is receiving as the only remaining unbeaten team in Division I men's basketball, but he knows that people are talking about the Tigers. The coach realizes there could be a downside to all of the attention, but at the same time he wants his players to enjoy and embrace what has been, to this point, a special situation.

"There could be pitfalls," Purnell said, "but so far our guys have handled ever situation that we've come across the same way. I think it's just important for me, as their coach, to remind them why we're (unbeaten) and if we don't do the same things that got us here, that will end very quickly."

- Patrick Hite

Clemson's Gaddis turning pro

2007-01-10T17:00:00.000-05:00

Press release from Clemson:

Clemson redshirt junior cornerback C.J. Gaddis has decided to forego his senior season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft. Gaddis informed Clemson coaches of his final decision on Wednesday.

"I want to thank all the people at Clemson for the help they have given me the last four years," said Gaddis. "I especially appreciate my teammates and coaches, in particular Coach Tommy Bowden and my position coach the last two years, Vic Koenning. This is the best decision for me. I have thought about it for a long time and I am comfortable with the decision.

"It is important for me to get my degree from Clemson. I have only 19 hours. I will be back to finish up."

Gaddis started 11 of Clemson's 13 games this season and had 33 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss. He had two interceptions, including one against South Carolina in the regular season finale. Gaddis had five passes defensed and 25 individual tackles.

His top game came at Wake Forest when he had a season high six tackles, including four tackles for loss. The four tackles for loss were a Clemson record for a Tiger defensive back. He also had an interception on Wake Forest's final drive that clinched Clemson's 27-17 win over the eventual ACC Champions.

Gaddis was a big reason Clemson ranked in the top 20 this season in total defense, pass efficiency defense and scoring defense. Gaddis had 59 tackles as a safety in 2005 when he helped the Tigers to an 8-4 season and a top 25 finish in the final polls. He had three consecutive double figure tackle games early in that season against Maryland, Miami (FL) and Boston College.

Gaddis finished his career with 35 games played and 16 starts. He had 113 career tackles, including 13.5 tackles for loss and five interceptions. He also forced four fumbles, including two in 2006.

As a sophomore in 2005 he had a streak of three consecutive games with an interception as a non-starter in wins over Duke, Florida State and South Carolina.

Gaddis came to Clemson as a quarterback from Raeford, NC, but his family now lives in Virginia.

"I feel C.J. Gaddis would have benefited by returning for his senior year just as Tye Hill and Gaines Adams have done each of the last two years," said Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden. "He had a fine career here and we wish him well in his pursuit of a professional career."

Goestenkors against banning male practice players

2007-01-09T23:20:00.000-05:00

Last month the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics issued a position statement calling for a ban on the use of male practice players in women’s intercollegiate athletics.

Since then it has been a hot topic of conversation, especially among women's basketball coaches.

It’s been a subject that the committee has been looking at for a couple of years. Currently, Division III has an actual proposal on the table to limit the use of male practice players, while Division I and II are simply looking into the issue.

Duke’s Gail Goestenkors has said she is against banning male practice players. ACC Nation recently had a chance to ask about her thoughts on the topic.

ACC Nation: What are the benefits of using male practice players?

Coach G: Practicing against male practice players allows us to improve in each and every practice. Going up against bigger, stronger and faster athletes in practice every day makes our practices more intense and makes us better. I want to make practice so hard that when they get out on the court during games they think it is easier.

ACC Nation: If male practice players are banned, what are the possible repercussions?

Coach G: We usually carry a roster of 12 players and if they were banned we would have to add more players to our roster which would result in players not getting playing time and end result would be more transfers. This would also take away some players for the mid-majors they would normally get.

ACC Nation: How does Duke use male practice players?

Coach G: We use male practice players for drills, scrimmages and running opposing teams offenses. The use of male practice players in no way takes time away from our 11 scholarship players.

ACC Nation: What about the argument that using male practice players eliminates opportunities for females?

Coach G: If they came out and watched our practice they would see that using male practice players does not eliminate opportunities for females. Everyone gets equal time in practice.

- Patrick Hite

Johnson declares for NFL draft

2007-01-08T14:41:00.000-05:00

Georgia Tech All-American Calvin Johnson announced today that he is making himself available for the 2007 NFL draft.
The junior wide receiver had been tabbed by some draft analysts as being one of the top two or three prospects for the upcoming draft before confirming his plans to turn professional.
Johnson, a 6-5, 235-pounder, was a unanimous first-team All-America selection and first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick in 2006 and was named the 2006 ACC player of the year.
Johnson led the ACC in receptions with 76 and in receiving yards with 1,202 - and was second in the nation in touchdown receptions with 15.
- Chris Graham

Around ACC Nation

2007-01-08T06:33:00.000-05:00

North Carolina broke away from Florida State in the second half to win its ACC opener. Frank Dascenzo writes that the point-guard position at Carolina this season could be special.

Virginia finally lost at its new arena.

Here's the women's roundup from Sunday.

It's easy to see that with Jared Dudley, Boston College is a different team.

Georgia Tech is already shorthanded this year, but the Jackets may lose another player for Wednesday's game against Duke.

Miami's Jon Beason will enter the NFL Draft.

Monday Morning Power Poll

2007-01-08T00:06:00.000-05:00

With all 12 teams having played at least one conference game, and with a new year here, ACC Nation figured it was time to debut our Monday Morning Power Poll. So, for the week of Jan. 8, here’s how we see the ACC teams:

1. North Carolina
- Too talented and too deep for many teams to keep up with for 40 minutes. Just ask Florida State.
2. Clemson
- An undefeated record and two tough ACC wins has to be worth something. Here, it’s worth the second spot.
3. Duke
- OK, they lost at home. Still, let’s not forget the Devils are 13-2 and have the best defense in the conference.
4. Maryland
- No, the Terps aren’t the same team they were in November. But they have won five straight, and all in impressive fashion.
5. Virginia Tech
- Beating Duke in Cameron is good enough for us to put the Hokies this high. Still, there are questions Tech will have to answer in weeks to come.
6. Virginia
- Wins over Gonzaga and Arizona, good. Loses to Appalachian State and Utah, bad.
7. Boston College
- We’ll cut them some slack because Jared Dudley was out, but we haven’t forgotten BC lost to Duquesne, which turned around and lost to St. Joseph’s by 48.
8. Georgia Tech
- Young and talented, sure, but with Duke coming up this week the Jackets are looking squarely at 0-3 in the ACC.
9. Florida State
- The Seminoles have been tested five times this season, and failed four of those. (The High Point and Coastal Carolina wins didn’t do much for us).
10. North Carolina State
- A two-point win over North Carolina Greensboro followed by a 16-point home loss to Boston College. Thank goodness for Wake and Miami.
11. Wake Forest
- The Demon Deacons saved themselves from last with an impressive comeback win over Miami.
12. Miami
- Miami earned last place with a not-so-impressive meltdown against Wake Forest.

Around ACC Nation

2007-01-07T08:09:00.000-05:00

Getting a road win in the ACC is not easy. Well, unless you're Virginia Tech, Wake Forest or Boston College. All three won conference games on the road yesterday. For Virginia Tech, the win at Duke was sweet revenge for the way the Hokies lost at Cameron last season.

Clemson, which won on the road Wednesday against Florida State, returned home yesterday and, for the second time in a week, recorded a close conference victory. The Tigers are the only unbeaten team in Division I men's basketball.

North Carolina opens conference play tonight against Florida State.

Maryland, meanwhile, continued to crush opponents on the women's side. The Terps are so impressive that George Solomon of the Washington Post chose to watch them over any number of other choices last week when Maryland opened ACC play.

Chan Gailey said he isn't looking to leave Georgia Tech. Then again, he did admit to interviewing for the Miami Dolphins' head coaching job.

GT's Clinch suspended for season

2007-01-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

Press release from Georgia Tech:

Lewis Clinch, a sophomore member of Georgia Tech’s basketball team, has been suspended from the Yellow Jackets’ team for violation of Institute policy. The 6-3 guard left the team on Friday, and will not play the remainder of the 2006-07 season.

His status as a student at Georgia Tech will be determined next week when spring semester classes begin. Clinch has indicated his desire to work with the Institute to remain enrolled.

“Lewis has been presented with several options, but has been resolute about staying in school at Georgia Tech if at all possible,” said head coach Paul Hewitt. “He has been in good academic standing throughout his career. He has been a good person, a good teammate and a hard worker.

“There are a number of scenarios under which Lewis can regain his playing status in the coming months and rejoin our basketball team next season. I can only wish him the best in working with the Institute with regard to his pursuit of a degree from Georgia Tech.”

Clinch, from Cordele, Ga., has played in all 14 games for Tech this season and started 12 of them, averaging 13.2 points a game while shooting 53.2 percent from the floor and 47.6 percent from three-point range. Clinch ranked among the Atlantic Coast Conference leaders in all three categories.

ACC Nation (weekend of January 5)

2007-01-05T00:06:00.000-05:00

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On ACC Nation this weekend, Mike Hogewood joins Patrick and Chris to wrap up the bowl season in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Dan Bonner stops by to talk ACC basketball, and Pete Yanity, the voice of the Clemson Tigers, discusses the fast start by the Clemson basketball team.

Plus, the guys talk about Coach K, bowl games and fantasy football in the Sound and the Fury.

That and more on ACC Nation

Click here to listen

Around ACC Nation

2007-01-03T06:28:00.000-05:00

Wake Forest wasn't able to put the finishing touches on its dream season Tuesday night.

Duke rallied from a first-half deficit to beat Temple, while NC State had to hold on for an overtime win. Miami also won a close one.

Here's what the rest of the ACC women's basketball programs wanted to hear - Maryland has yet another weapon.

Some decisions being made today in the coaching ranks could have an affect on Florida State.

Despite a loss, Georgia Tech may have found its next quarterback.

ACC Nation (weekend of December 29)

2006-12-29T00:02:00.000-05:00

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The guys are taking a break for the holidays, so it’s the Best of ACC Nation this weekend.

Among the interviews featured on the show this week are best-selling author John Feinstein, Wake Forest football coach Jim Grobe, Maryland women’s basketball coach Brenda Frese, Duke golfer Amanda Blumenherst, UVa. lacrosse coach Dom Starsia, ACC commissioner John Swofford and poker star and Georgia Tech graduate Phil Gordon.

Patrick and Chris will return next week with an all new show, but in the meantime enjoy this Best of ACC Nation.

Click here to listen

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-28T13:30:00.000-05:00

The ACC Nation guys are on vacation this week, but they figured they could sneak in at least one Around ACC Nation during the holidays. They'll be back next week with a new show (a best of ACC Nation is coming up this weekend) and plenty of new material for the blog. Until then, enjoy the holidays.

Florida State found its offense and the ACC is 1-0 in bowls so far this season.

Bobby Knight will break Dean Smith's all-time win record, but who will break Knight's record? Most likely, Coach K.

There were too many Carolina point guards, now there aren't enough as the Heels get back on the floor.

Good story on Virginia Tech's Branden Ore.

As BC gets ready for Navy, weird is a good word to describe the coaching situation.

And Clemson hoops is getting some respect.

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-23T08:17:00.000-05:00

The rape charges against three Duke lacrosse players have been dropped.

Maryland will face American today with a possible new lineup, while Frank Haith is looking for some leadership at Miami.

North Carolina won in Tyler Hansbrough's homecoming. Other winners in men's basketball included Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. North Carolina State and Clemson won on the women's side.

Reggie Ball will appeal his "D" grade in a class that made him academically ineligible, but it won't get him back in Georgia Tech's bowl game.

Jeff Bowden was the first to leave. Now Billy Sexton has stepped down, and there could be more coaching movement at Florida State.

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-22T06:48:00.000-05:00

Duke may have silenced some of their critics last night with a win over Gonzaga.

Virginia Tech rolled to victory.

Virginia technically won, but it wasn't pretty.

And Florida State survived against Coastal Carolina.

Boston College introduced its new football coach.

Taylor Bennett will take over for Reggie Ball in Georgia Tech's bowl game.

ACC Nation (weekend of December 22)

2006-12-21T21:29:00.000-05:00

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On ACC Nation this week, the Doc is in the house as Patrick and Chris talk with Doc Walker, analyst on telecasts of ACC football games. The three preview some of the top bowl games featuring ACC teams.

Plus, Beth Mowins of ESPN joins the guys to talk women’s basketball as three ACC teams remain among the best in the nation.

Being the holiday season, Patrick and Chris are in the giving mood. They hand out grades to the four schools who recently hired football coaches, and, in the Sound and the Fury, they give presents to several figures around the conference.

That and more on ACC Nation

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A fitting end to the Reggie Ball era

2006-12-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

And so this is how the Reggie Ball years will end.
Raise your hand if you're not surprised to hear that the Georgia Tech quarterback was ruled academically ineligible for the Yellow Jackets' Jan. 1 Gator Bowl game with West Virginia.
My hand is up - not because I didn't think that Ball was a smart kid or anything, but because it just seems a fitting way for him to end his time in Atlanta.
Ball is the rare Division I-A college quarterback who started from the first game of his freshman year - I remember seeing him take the field against BYU in a nationally televised ESPN game and wondering aloud how good he was going to be by the time he was a senior.
The answer to that musing was that he was never really going to get any better - indeed, it was all downhill from there, in a manner of speaking.
After completing 51.7 percent of his passes as a freshman for 1,996 yards and 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, Ball went on to have back-to-back-to-back seasons in which he completed less than 50 percent of his throws.
His senior season was by far his worst - he completed just 44.4 percent of his passes despite having a first-team All-American wide receiver in Calvin Johnson to bail him out whenever plays broke down.
His career touchdown-to-interception ratio of 57 TDs and 55 INTs speaks volumes - despite having all the talent in the world, Ball was just not able to translate ability into success on the field.
And now he's not even going to be on the field - a senior quarterback having failed to keep his grades up so that he could lead his team to battle one last time.
Unbelievable.
- Chris Graham

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-21T06:18:00.000-05:00

Georgia Tech's Reggie Ball won't play in the Gator Bowl after he was declared academically ineligible. Mark Bradley writes about the strange career of Ball.

Clemson may be missing a cornerback for its bowl game after Duane Coleman was arrested yesterday.

North Carolina State almost pulled off an upset. Meanwhile, what the heck has happened to Virginia, which has now dropped two games to lesser opponents in Puerto Rico? Miami was also shocked yesterday.

There's no Redick or Morrison, but tonight Duke battles Gonzaga.

The new Boston College coach doesn't have a great resume, but he has lots of energy, according to this story. That's something, I guess.

Maryland's defense may not be great, but it's united. That's something also, I guess.

Winter in Boise. There's nothing like it.

An Orange Bowl apperance must be worth something as Wake Forest is moving ahead with plans to renovate Groves Stadium.

Bales leading Blue Devils

2006-12-19T22:35:00.000-05:00

Beth Mowins said something to me the other night that, on the surface, seemed strange. The ESPN announcer said that the Duke women’s team had the advantage this season of flying under the radar.

Keep in mind how difficult it is for a team ranked No. 4 in the nation to fly under anyone’s radar, but then consider that, maybe, Mowins has a point.

Maryland is the defending national champion and is the top-ranked team in the country. North Carolina is No. 2 and the team many think will challenge the Terps. Duke, for now, is only the third best team in its own conference, and they lost a great player from last year’s national runner-up in Mo Currie. So, maybe they are a bit under some people’s radar.

Still, anyone who ignores this Blue Devils team does so at great risk. With a 55-46 win over No. 21 Bowling Green in Cancun, Mexico, Tuesday night, Duke has beaten four ranked teams in a row and has yet to lose a game. Or even come close to losing one. The nine-point win over Bowling Green was the first single-digit victory for the Devils this season. Before that the closest win for Duke was 21 against both Vanderbilt and Marist.

Alison Bales led the way against Bowling Green with 15 points, eight rebounds and six blocks. When Duke beat previously unbeaten Vanderbilt earlier this month, Bales had 16 points, nine boards and five blocks. Add that to an 11-point, eight-rebound performance in a win over Rutgers and 10 points, five rebounds and four blocks against Texas and its easy to see that Bales is one of the most important players for this Duke team.

After a breakout performance in last year’s NCAA Tournament, many wondered if Bales would maintain that level this season or regress to the player that some thought had underachieved for most of her first three seasons.

So far, so good this season for Bales.

“I would think she would be the most improved player in the county,” Mowins said. “Ali Bales has just picked up right where she left off.”

Coming into Tuesday night’s game, Bales was averaging 11.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and five blocks a game, all better than last season’s numbers. She’s also shooting 51.9 percent from the floor. But it’s something else that can’t be seen in the numbers that caught Mechelle Voepel’s attention.

“She also developed what I love to see out of a big woman, or a big man - the intelligent floor vision, the ability to pass out of double teams, not to force things when they aren’t there,” Voepel told ACC Nation when the ESPN.com writer appeared on the show recently. “I think that’s a real strength of hers.”

Her defense has improved also, according to both Voepel and Mowins.

“She is such a dominating, disruptive presence on the defensive end,” Mowins said.

Voepel said Bales has learned to use her size advantage – she’s 6-7 – to the maximum. That’s been a major plus on both defense and offense. On defense she is one of the top shot blockers in the game, while on offense she has made herself a nice target for her teammates to find under the basket.

Bales also worked hard over the summer to get in better shape. It shows.

“I think she’s in the best shape of her career which means … at times (last year) when the other four Duke players were running the floor she was still down at the other end,” Mowins said. “Now they can actually get all five players out on the break and run a little bit more.”

Voepel said Bales has improved every year on two or three aspects of her game, something the ESPN.com writer likes to see. Mowins seconded that opinion.

“She has just improved so much, not only from her freshman year to now, but from the middle of last season to now,” Mowins said. “She is obviously playing with a lot of confidence.”

If she continues doing that, and Duke continues routing opponents, they won’t remain under the radar much longer - if they ever were there to begin with.

- Patrick Hite

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-19T06:29:00.000-05:00

Green Bay assistant will be the new BC coach, while Miami assistant to take over at FIU.

NC State players don't believe media predictions.

Florida State gets win over High Point in men's hoops, while Georgia Tech got an easy victory.

In women's basketball, Virginia Tech and North Carolina were winners, as was Georgia Tech. Virginia wasn't so lucky.

Wake Forest may not make money off this bowl game, but an appearance in the Orange Bowl may help the Deacons turn a profit down the road.

Virginia Tech's backup quarterback in alcohol treatment program and won't be traveling with his team to its bowl game.

We do it to ourselves, folks

2006-12-18T12:47:00.000-05:00

College-sports fans need to take a chill pill - OK, maybe we need to take out a prescription.
You know, so we can get the whole bottle.
We all want our coaches fired - well, maybe not if you're a UNC or Duke basketball fan, or Virginia Tech football fan.
Er, actually it hasn't been that long since Tech fans turned on Frank Beamer - remember that 6-0 start that turned into an 8-5 finish in 2003?
So yeah, even somebody like Beamer isn't above being almost being run out of town.
We all want championships - conference championships, national championships.
But guess what - only one team gets to win the ACC, and only one gets to be #1 in the country at the end of the year.
The odds are a little better that you can win a conference title - though one in 12 ain't exactly great odds.
Winning one of those national titles is a bit harder - you're talking one in 119 for football or one in 330-something for basketball, just for starters.
And since we're all wanting one of those, and all raising money for scholarships, and all raising money for new facilities, ad nauseam, it shouldn't be a surprise that most of the time (the vast majority of the time; 99.9 percent of the time) we fall short.
Which brings us back to how we all want our coaches fired. Sure, I understand that part of the pressure that we've all put on them results in them being paid gobs of money to bring home those titles that we so desperately want. So when they fall short, it's hard to feel too sorry for them - they still get the golden parachute out the door, after all.
No, I'm not defending them - I'm lamenting us.
It's us who keep our schools from being legitimate title contenders the way we want to railroad this coach or that coach after a year or two of not meeting our self-imposed out-of-this-world expectations.
Programs aren't built in a day - unless you're Bob Huggins at Kansas State, who was reportedly out recruiting players before he even knew what school he was going to be working at after being let go at Cincinnati.
It takes a few recruiting classes, a special win or two, a surprise bowl appearance or NCAA tournament run - and then the expectations can go through the roof.
It's gotten so out of whack these days that at my alma mater, the University of Virginia, the fans began talking excitedly about an NCAA tourney berth for this year's team because last year's team went 15-15.
You can guess what might happen next - if the program fails to live up to those lofty projections, the fans are going to grumble, and grumbling fans soon sour, and then ...
We do it to ourselves, folks - that's all I'm saying here.
- Chris Graham

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-18T06:32:00.000-05:00

Virginia Tech edged Wake Forest in ACC opener for both teams. It was a win the Hokies needed.

The Carolina women head for Myrtle Beach. The BC women got a win.

Tommy Bowden and Steve Spurrier get into a war of words.

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-17T07:52:00.000-05:00

New starters, new result for Miami hoops. North Carolina State faced a bigger challenge than expected, but eventually pulled away from Mount St. Mary's. North Carolina got an easy win. So did Virginia, although its coach wasn't around to see it.

Is Clemson's fast start for real? Grant Wahl writes the jury is still out.

Boston College has completed its interviews for a new football coach.

The ACC is helping Virginia Tech in basketball recruiting. Tech opens its ACC season tonight with Wake Forest.

Speaking of Virginia Tech, we missed this on Friday, but apparently former Hokie Marcus Vick isn't out of hot water just yet from his affair with an underage girl.

Florida State is preparing for UCLA, but right now Bobby Bowden is focusing on other things. Georgia Tech's Philip Wheeler is looking into jumping to the NFL.

The Virginia women woke up in the second half to destroy Cleveland State. North Carolina rolled to a win also, as did Miami.

Former ACC assistant game-plans for Singletary

2006-12-16T20:59:00.000-05:00

Was that a blueprint that we saw drawn up and executed by Hampton coach Kevin Nickelberry?
Because it sure looked like one - for future opponents of Virginia interested in keeping the ball out of the hands of star UVa. guard Sean Singletary, that is.
Nickelberry used what almost looked like a football Cover 2 scheme to contain Singletary - using one defender to front him and a second one bracketing him from behind to keep the ball from going his way. And then when Singletary was able to get ball, Pirates defenders doubled him almost immediately to force it out of his hands.
The approach seemed to work quite well in the first half of Virginia's 91-69 win over Hampton Saturday - disrupting any offensive flow that the Cavs had wanted to get going as they limped to the locker room with a narrow six-point halftime lead and a ton of frustration on their shoulders.
"Our goal was not to let them run their offense," said Hampton coach Kevin Nickelberry, a former Clemson assistant who knew going in how much of a load Singletary was going to be for his team.
"I know most of their plays having been in the ACC - so I knew what they wanted to run," Nickelberry said. "We thought if we could keep them out of their flow, like we did in the first half, make them score the way we play, make it ugly, get some charges on Singletary, frustrate them a little bit, that we could stay in the game.
"I think we did a pretty good job in the first half, but we just didn't respond in the second half," Nickelberry said.
After limiting Singletary to one field goal and forcing four turnovers in the first half, Hampton seemed to run out of gas coming out of the locker room - and the junior finished with a season-high 27 points, including going 14-for-16 at the free-throw line.
But even that being the case, Virginia coach Dave Leitao has plenty of room for concern as his team gets ready for the San Juan Shootout next week and Atlantic Coast Conference play coming up after the first of the year.
"Part of my concern this game and all year long will be that you need alternative ballhandlers," Leitao said after the game.
"What they tried to do is to force the action away from Sean. What should not have happened is for the guys who did get it to be stagnant," Leitao said.
"They still had the ability to attack - especially in the whole court, the open court - and I thought in the first half they didn't do that with the kind of confidence that they should have," Leitao said.
Swingman Adrian Joseph and power forward Jason Cain - a 6-11 post player with deft open-court ballhandling skills - were more assertive in helping assist Singletary in getting the ball up the court and getting the offense going in the second half.
Still, Leitao would like to see his team do more in the open court to make plays - and then finish plays.
"Every time the ball was attacked via the dribble, something good - a very high percentage shot - came of it. When it wasn't, when either in the half or full court, breaking pressure, we settled for a jump shot, then that's all we got - whether it went in, or obviously a lot of times it was missed. We were only 6-of-24 from three-point land," Leitao said.
"That's something that we're trying to get them to balance - not just for this game, but overall," Leitao said. "We have the potential for a lot of people to make perimeter shots - but there's a very fine line of telling a shooter to hold up versus encouraging them to shoot. We've got to toe that very fine line to get to the point where we understand that what gets us high-percentage shots and makeable shots."
- Chris Graham

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-16T08:06:00.000-05:00

With Carolina's other two point guards hurt, Ty Lawson will do the job solo today. Here's another story on Lawson.

The old and the new work together at the U as Miami prepares for its bowl game. Florida State is also getting ready for its bowl appearance.

Good story on Clemson's Anthony Waters as the Tigers prepare for Kentucky.

Virginia will play four games in six days after the exam break.

Glenn Sharpe of Miami wins the Brian Piccolo Award.

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-15T06:31:00.000-05:00

The NCAA is up to no good again, this time trying to get rid of male practice players in the women's game. Check out Mechelle Voepel's column on this on the right side of the page. Here's yet one more item on the subject.

The latest on the investigation into the murder of Bryan Pata.

Tommy Bowden to Alabama? He says no.

Recruiting news out of UVa.

ACC Nation (weekend of December 15)

2006-12-15T00:22:00.000-05:00

On ACC Nation this week, Patrick and Chris talk with Ned Barnett of the News and Observer about Tom O’Brien, N.C. State ’s new football coach.

Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald joins the guys to discuss UM’s hiring of Randy Shannon as its football coach.

And Friend of the Nation, Luci Chavez, who covers Duke basketball for the News and Observer, breaks downs the Blue Devils to this point in the season.

Plus, on the Sound and the Fury, Patrick and Chris discuss whether or not Roy Williams will someday hold the record for most wins in men’s college basketball history.

That and more on ACC Nation.

Click here to listen

Voepel breaks down the three-headed monster

2006-12-14T20:54:00.000-05:00

The three-headed monster of Maryland, North Carolina and Duke will be a tough one for their Atlantic Coast Conference opponents to slay.
But ESPN.com basketball writer Mechelle Voepel thinks it is possible for somebody like a Virginia or Florida State to take one of the heads down at some point in the 2006-2007 season.
"There's a chance somebody might upset one of them - I think that can always happen. Particularly those two teams that you mention - because both of those teams are athletic, and both are well-coached," Voepel told "ACC Nation" last week.
"I don't think that there's any chance that anybody but one of those three wins the ACC, though. There's always a chance, especially on the road, that you could get knocked off - but it's going to be one of those three," Voepel said.
Maryland has fought off two upset bids already this season - holding off Middle Tennessee State in their opener by an 80-76 count and then beating back a game Temple Owls team last weekend in Philadelphia by a 77-66 final.
"That first game was the type of game that a team like Maryland is going to get from now on," Voepel said. "It's the type of game that a Tennessee or a UConn gets. Middle Tennessee has improved their program. They had 10,000 people there. It was probably the biggest game that they've ever played. And Maryland stood up to that challenge - and I think has been very solid since then."
Carolina has also faced a tough challenge - a Dec. 3 home date with Tennessee that it won by 70-57 despite sloppy play (43 fouls, 49 turnovers) on the part of both teams.
"I have to tell you - I don't much care for watching Carolina play," Voepel said. "And I say that not in a way to criticize them - but I don't think they're a team that is that much fun to watch play when they play a game like that. It is very sloppy. That game I didn't think was fun at all to watch. I kind of prefer a team that is a little more disciplined on offense - but by the same token, the strategy that Carolina takes has worked for them, so you have to respect that."
Duke has that kind of discipline - and maybe has the best team that it has been able to put on the court in recent years in spite of the loss of All-Everything forward Monique Currie.
"I always loved Mo Currie as a player - but at times she would either disappear in moments when she was most needed, or she wouldn't necessarily be the most disciplined player," Voepel said.
"I think that the team they have right now is very disciplined - but also up-tempo. They've got so many weapons - and if they get Chante Black back, especially, you're talking about them having as good a frontcourt as any team in the country. And that's saying a lot," Voepel said.
- Chris Graham

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-14T06:31:00.000-05:00

No DNA from the Duke lacrosse players found on victim.

Here's the latest on the BC search for its next football coach.

We missed this story yesterday, but, despite the much-publicized brawl at this year's game, Miami and Florida International will play football against one another again next season.

N.C. State has another coaching vacancy. The Wolfpack has fired its diving coach.

You know it's a slow news day when we've already posted about a diving coach being fired and now we post a story on Duke's Martynas Pocius.

Was Staley appearance a harbinger of return to UVa.?

2006-12-13T09:59:00.000-05:00

The pregame tribute to Dawn Staley wasn't something that the University of Virginia women's basketball legend didn't expect.
"Any time I come back on the Grounds here at Virginia, the fans are always pouring out the love and the applause - and certainly I didn't think it was going to be any different. We've had some great memories here at Virginia - and no fan that has ever been a part of Virginia history will ever let those days go by without recognizing them," said Staley, a two-time national player of the year at UVa., who brought her Temple team to Charlottesville on Nov. 29 for her second career game against her former mentor, Debbie Ryan.
The Cavs won the game, 71-65 - but it is not out of the realm of possibility that Staley will yet coach a winner in the new John Paul Jones Arena, which is located across the street from her old stomping grounds at University Hall.
The talk is hot and heavy that the 2006-2007 season could be Ryan's last at the helm at Virginia - and that Staley, who recently retired from professional basketball after a stellar 10-year career, is in line to be her replacement.
Staley didn't address those rumors in her postgame interview with "ACC Nation" - but Kansas City Star and ESPN.com basketball writer Mechelle Voepel doesn't view the reports as being all that farfetched.
"I've got to be honest with you - I'd love to see Dawn at Virginia," Voepel told "ACC Nation" last week. "She's one of the all-time wonderful people to come out of ACC sports. Obviously it's her alma mater.
"I don't want to talk about Debbie Ryan retiring until she's ready to do it - but I hope that if that happens, then Dawn Staley's at the top of their list," Voepel said.
Staley's focus for now is on Temple - which is 4-4 in 2006-2007 after a 77-66 loss to top-ranked Maryland on Sunday. The Owls went 24-8 last season and entered the current campaign as the three-time defending Atlantic 10 champs.
They play a style of basketball that reminds those who watch them of their coach - a fiery point guard who was always on the go.
"I approach basketball the same way whether I'm playing or coaching. There's a certain way that you need to respect the game. You have to practice in a certain way, you have to think about it a certain way. You have to study it. And you have to love it - you have to be very passionate about it," Staley told "ACC Nation."
"I know one way to do things - and that's just to work hard. And if you do that, it'll put you on the right path. If you're on the wrong path, it'll give you some discipline and understanding at the same time," Staley said.
Staley later addressed one other set of rumors - regarding a possible return to playing basketball in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics. She ruled out any chance of that happening - saying that her attention is squarely on coaching at this point in her life.
"It's a game that I grew up playing - so it was a natural fit for me to move into coaching, since I had been playing point guard for some time. As a coach, you're playing it from a different angle," Staley said.
Not that being a former national player of the year who led her college team to three Final Fours and her national team to three gold medals is that far back in the rearview.
"I think it gives me instant credibility in recruiting. It gives me something tangible and our players something tangible to look and see and feel and know that I'm not asking them to do anything that I haven't done. And it gives me a character to be able to go in front of them and say, You work hard at this game, you do what we're asking you to do as a staff, and a lot of good things will come your way," Staley said.
- Chris Graham

Yow continues recovery; team continues to play

2006-12-12T22:44:00.000-05:00

When the time comes, Stephanie Glance will be happy to slide back into the shadows. For now, Glance is serving as head coach for the N.C. State women’s basketball team, but it will be a good day when she returns to her role as associate head coach.

That will mean that the legendary Kay Yow has returned to the team after her latest battle with breast cancer. Three weeks ago, Yow announced that she would be stepping down indefinitely as State’s head coach while she underwent treatment for a disease she was first diagnosed with 17 years ago. She had a reoccurrence of the disease two years ago, and then again this past November.

“The team is responding as well as they can to Coach Yow’s absence,” Glance told reporters in a teleconference Tuesday. “It’s been very difficult for them as well as the staff, but everyone has made a commitment to step up and to do our best to keep things together and to represent Coach Yow and NC State during her absence.”

The team has actually responded very well on the court, winning five of the six games with Glance in charge. But, for now, winning games has become secondary to getting Yow healthy again.

“When she’s out because of a life threatening disease, I think that makes it tough for everyone,” Glance said.

The interim head coach said her boss is doing as well as can be expected, with some good days and some bad days. She will continue with chemotherapy for a while, then some more tests will be run. As for her return, Glance said the doctors and Yow will make the determination after the tests.

“Her approach to this whole thing is just kind of reflective of her approach to life,” Glance said. “She just takes on obstacles and adversity and just meets them head on and she never gets too high or too low in any situation, that includes the wins and the loses.”

Yow definitely has the respect of everyone around the women’s game. She’s now in her 32nd season at N.C. State, having led the Wolfpack to five regular-season conference titles, 10 Sweet 16 trips and a Final Four appearance. The hall-of-fame coach also guided Team USA to a gold medal in 1988.

But it’s her passion for teaching, as much as coaching, the game that has earned much respect from others

“She’s one of those people who got into the game back when there was really no money, there was no prestige in it, there was no glory in the game,” Mechelle Voepel, who covers women’s basketball for the Kansas City Star and ESPN.com, told ACC Nation. “She got into it because she loves to teach. And if you talk to any of her former players, I think, almost universally, what they’ll say is, she’s a teacher as much as a coach. She’s somebody who always wanted to pass on life lessons as much as basketball lessons.”

In a statement released by the University last week, Yow said there are more good days than bad ones, but it seemed she was more concerned about the pressure placed on her staff by her absence.

“My staff has been able to take a great burden off of me,” Yow said in the statement. “At the same time, it has also been a great burden on them. One of the things about the diagnosis is that it happened so quickly. We didn't really have time to talk about it.”

She first met with her doctor on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and had the results of the tests by the following Tuesday. The team was scheduled to leave Wednesday, Nov. 22, for a two-game road trip out west. Yow didn’t go, and her staff had to take over immediately.

Virginia coach Debbie Ryan battled pancreatic cancer in 2000, and, while she didn’t miss any games, she still had to rely heavily on her staff to do a lot of the things, including recruiting, that she would normally do.

“Obviously a staff is hugely important in a situation like this,” Ryan said when asked about the N.C. State program. “I know that I leaned on my staff when I had to be operated on and treated for cancer. So it’s hugely important to have a very good staff in place. I know that Kay does have an excellent staff and they’re doing a tremendous job and I don’t think she has any worries (about who’s running her team). I think she can step out and take care of her health and then step right back in and she won’t miss a beat.”

In the meantime, the Wolfpack staff will continue to lead the team, which doesn’t play again until Dec. 20. Glance said no timeline has been established for Yow’s return, but that everyone hopes it’s sooner rather than later.

Said Voepel, “I think everybody is very worried and concerned and hopeful that she is back on the sidelines, because she is really one of the … I would say one of the icons of the game because people admire her so much for the person she is as well as the coach she is.”

- Patrick Hite

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-12T06:26:00.000-05:00

Boston College is eyeing Steeler assistant for football opening. Here's another coach that is in the running for either the top job or an assistant's job with the Eagles.

Maryland is the latest in the D.C. area to fall from the top 25.

Miami was beaten soundly by Mississippi State.

Duke counters Carolina's masquerade.

Georgia Tech needs to improve on the road.

More Carolina coaches are let go by Butch Davis.

Here's more on the Jeff Bowden severance package.

Clemson freshman wide receiver will transfer.

The ACC bowl season (yawn ...)

2006-12-11T11:20:00.000-05:00

There isn't an appealing Atlantic Coast Conference-related football bowl matchup among the eight games involving ACC teams this year - which actually doesn't surprise me.
OK, so I should point out that I think the bowl system needs to go the way of checkered blazers and the Heisman Trophy as being anachronistic relics of the past.
But that said, I've been trying mightily to find something in the way of a bowl game involving the ACC worthy of the time that I'm going to have to devote to watching it - and I can't find anything that fits that bill.
Starting at the top ... Wake Forest-Louisville in the Orange Bowl? Nothing against the Cardinals, but my wish here was that Wake would have been rewarded for its dream season with a game with a more traditional power - say, an LSU or Notre Dame.
How about Georgia Tech-West Virginia in the Gator? Er, Tech hasn't been the same since its impressive win over Virginia Tech way, way back toward the start of the season. The Clemson beatdown in October was among a string of uninspired performances that finished out what had looked to be a promising 2006 campaign for the Yellow Jackets.
Which brings us to Virginia Tech-Georgia in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Putting my wishing cap back on, I would've loved to have seen Tech playing West Virginia in the Gator - that one would have tempted me to want to buy tickets and fly down to Jacksonville so I could see these two in person.
But Tech-Georgia ... not so much. The Hokies are head-and-shoulders better than the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball - and my guess is that this one will be over shortly after halftime, at the latest.
As for the rest of them ... you can have them, honestly. The only bowl game that matters anymore is the one-game, two-team playoff for the national title that this year pits top-ranked Ohio State against the nation's third-best team, Florida.
The rest of the schedule is filled with overrated exhibitions played by teams who will have had three or four or five or more weeks off since their last game - and thus three or four or five or more weeks of rust to shake off by the time it comes to get back on the field.
If it wasn't my job to have to comment on what happens in them, believe me, I would spend my time on more productive and worthwhile pursuits (cutting my toenails, doodling, making sure all of my Pez dispensers were filled, et cetera.
So if I was you ... well, consider yourself lucky that you don't have to pretend that you care.
- Chris Graham

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-09T07:58:00.000-05:00

Miami introduced its new coach. Dan Le Batard writes that the new coach, Randy Shannon, has a support system in place as he takes over the Hurricanes.

Ned Barnett suggested that it wasn't very neighborly for NC State to steal a coach from a fellow ACC member. While we at ACC Nation agree, Barnett has found out not everyone does.

Meanwhile, BC's assistants prepare to coach the team in its bowl game as Tom O'Brien has already left the building.

Clemson's James Davis questions his future.

Roy Williams should win his 500th game tonight. Meanwhile, his mentor will soon drop to second in all-time wins.

Mouhammad Faye is still adjusting to Georgia Tech.

And the Virginia Tech athletics department will make a lot of money from Nike.

Inside the O'Brien saga

2006-12-08T11:50:00.000-05:00

What was Tom O'Brien thinking? For that matter, what was Boston College thinking?
The big news of the year in Atlantic Coast Conference football isn't the surprise championship run of Wake Forest - no, it has to be, without a doubt, the departure of BC coach O'Brien to ACC rival North Carolina State.
This kind of thing - one ACC school stealing a coach from another - just doesn't happen.
Which leads us to ask ... why?
It's easy to figure out State's motivation - O'Brien is a top-notch coach who has won consistently as a coordinator (at Virginia) and as a head man.
Why O'Brien would want to leave BC generally isn't hard to figure, either - as great as it is that he has been able to win there, the facilities at BC are below-standard for a BCS school, and you have to wonder about the commitment of the athletics department at the school to football, one, and the commitment of the fan base, two, to college sports in what is obviously a pro-sports town.
On to question three - regarding what BC was thinking letting O'Brien go. And let's not kid ourselves here - they're letting him go, if the talk about how they're interested in former Notre Dame coach Bob Davie (at a substantial difference in pay over what they were compensating O'Brien) has any validity at all.
Perhaps the school was not as impressed as the rest of us were at O'Brien being able to bring in eight or nine wins every year - and they wanted more.
I think we can all identify with that. Can't we?
I mean, that's why I'm writing this story - right?
- Chris Graham

Around ACC Nation

2006-12-08T06:25:00.000-05:00

Miami has found its man.

NC State fans are happy to have Tom O'Brien coaching their team. Caulton Tudor writes that OB brings stability to the Wolfpack, but his departure has hurt some BC players.

North Carolina will rely heavily on Booster Club money to pay their new coach. Some think that is a problem.

Calvin Johnson was named the nation's top receiver. Vince Hall is the top player in Virginia.

Florida State won in men's hoops. Miami's Anthony King is out at least three weeks. Duke scored eight points on one possession to beat Vanderbilt last night in women's basketball.

2006-12-07T23:28:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation (weekend of Dec. 8)

On ACC Nation this week, Jim Johnson of the Courtmaster.net joins Patrick and Chris to talk about Wake Forest ’s win in the ACC title game and Maryland ’s quick start in men’s hoops, while Mechelle Voepel of ESPN.com discusses women’s ACC basketball with the guys.

Plus, NC State has a new coach and, as a result, Boston College needs one. We’ll talk about the upcoming bowl games and, as always, there’s the Sound and the Fury.

That and more on ACC Nation.

Click here to listen

2006-12-07T06:26:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

North Carolina State appears to have its man, and it's not the one you thought. It looks as if Boston College's Tom O'Brien will be the next Wolfpack football coach. Ned Barnett writes that the Wolfpack are breaking an unwritten rule with this move.

Bernie Kosar still wants the Miami job.

Duke actually trailed at halftime, but the Blue Devils eventually put away Holy Cross last night. Maryland also won last night.

2006-12-06T06:29:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Here's an interesting twist in Miami's search for coach - former UM quarterback Bernie Kosar is now, apparently, a candidate.

North Carolina State, meanwhile, wants Navy's Paul Johnson.

Butch Davis is already the man in Carolina, now he's working on his staff.

BC's Tom O'Brien says he's not going anywhere.

And Tommy Bowden's contract won't be extended at Clemson after the team fell apart down the stretch.

Everyone involved with the Wake Forest football program is feeling pretty good right now.

2006-12-05T22:56:00.000-05:00

Is it too early?

Sitting at the North Carolina State-Virginia basketball game Sunday, I kept thinking that the game was just too early. The calendar had, after all, just barley flipped from November to December, and the ACC football title game hadn’t even been over a good 24 hours. And yet, just three days into December, here I was watching two ACC basketball teams play a conference game. Too early.

And it wasn’t the only ACC game either. Georgia Tech was busy losing to Miami on the same day. Two teams - North Carolina State and Georgia Tech - that are relying heavily on inexperienced players to carry them far this season had to hit the road for ACC games, and both came out on the wrong end of the score. State fell to Virginia, while Miami upset Georgia Tech.

“It’s a disadvantage playing against any conference team this early, whether you’re an experienced team or not,” State coach Sidney Lowe said after his team’s game. “The ACC, it’s a battle, it’s a war. If you go on the road it’s tough. But I don’t want to make excuses for our guys.”

Excuse or not, it seemed very early to me for a conference game. But maybe it was just me. So, I asked Dan Bonner, who worked the television broadcast of the State-Virginia game for Fox Sports Net, if he thought it was too early.

“The difference between the old days and now is not the earlier start of conference games, but the earlier start of the season itself,” Bonner said. “Thirty years ago, practice started October 15 and the first games were played during the first week in December.”

Bonner should know because he was playing in the ACC then. Bonner played for UVa. and remembers some early conference games.

“My freshman year, we played Duke on December 4 and Maryland on December 8, both home games, respectively, our second and third games of the year,” Bonner said. “Sophomore year, we played at Wake Forest in our third game of the year on December 8. Junior year, we played Duke on December 8 in our third game of the year. During my senior year at Virginia, we opened the season at home on December 2 - won a squeaker over Washington and Lee - played game number two on December 4 at home against Kent State - we murdered them by way - and then played at NC State on December 7.”

Bonner makes a good point – from an historical perspective, the games aren’t really that early this season, and, in terms of when they fall on a team’s schedule, the conference games are actually later this year. In other words, the four teams that played games on Sunday had more game experience before they entered conference play than teams did three decades ago.

“Starting the season during the first week in November is really early and is, in my view, at least a slight disadvantage to younger teams,” Bonner said. “But starting ACC play in early December is par for the course in the history of the ACC and is no more an advantage or disadvantage now than it was in the 1960-61 season when Virginia played Maryland in its first game of the season on December 3, and then played at North Carolina in its second game on December 6.”

Point well taken. But it still seemed early.

- Patrick Hite

2006-12-04T13:44:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

A big weekend for North Carolina's women's teams. The Tar Heels won the soccer national title and beat Tennessee in women's basketball.

Wake will face Louisville in the Orange Bowl. Here are the other seven ACC teams in bowl games this season.

The men's ACC basketball conference schedule got under way yesterday, with Virginia beating North Carolina State and Miami upsetting Georgia Tech. Florida State pulled an upset of its own, while Maryland blew a lead and fell to Notre Dame.

And Miami will talk to Greg Schiano about the Canes' football coaching job

2006-12-03T22:29:00.000-05:00

The impossible dream
I said this summer on one of our "ACC Nation" football previews that it looked to me that Wake Forest could easily start the season 5-0 - and then from there, who knows?
I have to admit that I never in a million years would have expected Jim Grobe's team to go from that 5-0 start that I foresaw to an 11-2 finish that would land the Demon Deacons in the Orange Bowl.
And that's before factoring in that the two players that we focused our interview with Grobe on back in August - quarterback Ben Mauk and tailback Micah Andrews - went down in the opener and Week 3, respectively, with season-ending injuries.
"We're a football team that will really appreciate being in the Orange Bowl," said Grobe, whose Wake program won its first conference title in 36 years with its 9-6 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday in Jacksonville.
"We don't take anything for granted. I can tell you that they're really, really excited to be in a BCS game. Sometimes teams take playing bowl games for granted, but we're one team that will be truly excited to still be playing football," Grobe said.
The Deacs were getting ready for the offseason this time a year ago - after entering the 2005 campaign with expectations of a possible bowl berth, Wake stumbled to a 4-7 finish.
Now they're preparing for Louisville, the Big East champ, who finished the 2006 regular season 11-1 and were sixth in the final BCS standings.
"We know we have our work cut out for us," Grobe said of the Cardinals. "I've seen them on TV. They're very explosive on offense and they're a very good defensive football team. They're very impressive."
Not as impressive, in my mind, as Wake Forest - which you have to put on the short list of the most overachieving teams in college-football history.
- Chris Graham

2006-12-03T22:16:00.000-05:00

Gotta love the BCS
The BCS has spoken.
It's message - I'm outdated.
This is the only thing that we can conclude from the fiasco that is the end to the 2006 college-football season.
Voters in the Harris and coaches polls decided that they didn't want an Ohio State-Michigan rematch - with all due respect to Florida, that's why the Gators were given the title-game spot with the Buckeyes.
You want proof of that? You need to look no further than the computers - which had the Wolverines and Gators tied for second behind Ohio State.
It was the leapfrog maneuver that the voters in the Harris Poll and coaches poll used to move Florida ahead of Michigan that put the 12-1 Gators ahead of the 11-1 Michigan team.
Somehow, some way, Michigan got worse on Saturday despite not having played a down.
That, or Florida's 38-28 win over Arkansas wasn't as sloppy as it appeared to be to me.
I don't know, blowing a 17-0 lead and regaining momentum only when your opponent fumbles a punt inside the 3-yard line doesn't come across as noteworthy to me.
But I digress.
This is what the BCS gives us, ladies and germs - endless debates over the merits of this one-loss team or that one, ruminations over whether hot two-loss teams like LSU or Virginia Tech might not be getting the short end of the stick ...
Alas, the idiots-that-be in charge of college football seem to think this is what passes for an end to their season.
My message to the BCS - nothing personal, but drop dead.
- Chris Graham

2006-12-03T07:34:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Wake Forest used some razzle dazzle to win the ACC title game over Georgia Tech yesterday in Jacksonville. It was the first conference title for the Deacons since 1970. Wake will now go to the Orange Bowl, while Georgia Tech most likely will return to Jacksonville to play in the Gator Bowl.

We'll find out for sure today, but here are ESPN's projections for who will be where this bowl season.

Duke rallied to beat Georgetown, while North Carolina had enough to top Kentucky.

The North Carolina women's soccer team will play for another national title today. There were two ACC teams in the men's soccer semifinals, but there will be none in the finals. Both Virginia and Wake Forest went down yesterday.

2006-12-02T08:06:00.001-05:00

Around ACC Nation

North Carolina is headed back to the women's soccer championship game, but Florida State came up just short. Meanwhile, in the men's tournament, the semifinals, featuring both Virginia and Wake Forest, were postponed until today.

The ring's the thing, and it will be decided today in Jacksonville as Wake Forest plays Georgia Tech for the ACC football title. The coaches at Wake and Tech should be familiar with the Jacksonville area. But what happens to the loser of today's game?

Can North Carolina come down from its high after beating Ohio State?

Maryland's back, although Gary Williams isn't sure where they went.

Duke needs Greg Paulus to recover from his slow start as it prepares to play Georgetown tonight.

Clemson and South Carolina take their rivalry to the basketball court.

Here's another candidate for the Miami football job.

Butch Davis, meanwhile, has already started cleaning house at Carolina.

2006-12-02T08:06:00.000-05:00

2006-12-01T15:25:00.000-05:00

No 'Challenge'
OK, ladies and germs - we can stop calling it a "Challenge."
The ACC once again cleaned the floor with the Big 10 - winning the annual ACC-Big 10 Challenge by a final count of eight wins to three.
That sounds impressive enough, sure - but then consider that of the three Big 10 wins, Northwestern beat Miami by one point, and Purdue beat Virginia by two on a shot with 1.2 seconds left.
This wasn't a Challenge - this was Democrats taking the House and the Senate. This was the Yankees taking all five from the BoSox.
It's getting to be Notre Dame-Navy, to be honest.
So perhaps we can count on the doofuses-that-be who run the NCAA tournament-selection committee to come around on the issue of giving our league some props.
As Maryland coach Gary Williams pointed out to me earlier this year at ACC Operation Basketball, of the previous seven times that the ACC won the Challenge, it received fewer NCAA bids than the vanquished Big 10 in five of those years.
What do we have to do to prove ourselves vis-a-vis the Big 10? I ask aloud.
I know, I know - we could win all 11 games one year.
Alas, maybe next year - if there is a next year.
I don't know, I'm the Big 10, I don't want another drubbing.
- Chris Graham

2006-12-01T01:18:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation (weeked of Dec. 1)

On ACC Nation this week, David Scott of the Charlotte Observer joins Patrick and Chris to preview the ACC football championship game featuring Georgia Tech and Wake Forest .

Dan Bonner talks ACC hoops with the guys, and Patrick caught up with former UVa. star Dawn Staley in Charlottesville this past week. Hear his interview with the five-time WNBA all-star.

Plus the Sound and the Fury, Around ACC Nation and more.

Click here to listen

2006-11-30T16:07:00.000-05:00

Is the end of the Groh era nigh?
There are a few things that we might be able to read into the news that the University of Virginia has decided not to add a year to football coach Al Groh's contract.
One would not be that the school is pleased with the direction of the program following this season's 5-7 showing that saw the Cavaliers lose to Western Michigan and East Carolina and fall for the sixth time in seven years to in-state rival Virginia Tech.
Now that we have that out of the way ...
One read that I have on this is that UVa. is giving Groh a chance to demonstrate that what he has been saying since midseason about playing with the 2006 season with the 2007 Virginia football team is true.
The first time I heard him say that, after the 28-26 home loss to Maryland that saw the 'Hoos blow a 20-point halftime lead, I thought he was making excuses for his team's poor performance. It didn't occur to me until a little later that he was backing himself into a corner - that he was making next year into something of a make-or-break season.
Which leads to my second read - that it was the 2006 season that was Groh's make-or-break season, and the decision not to roll over Groh's contract was a signal to Groh that it is time for the two to consider going their separate ways.
We have seen this elsewhere - where coaches with rollover clauses that are not extended end up either looking for jobs elsewhere or making overtures to the schools to whom they are then currently employed about a possible buyout of the remaining years on their contract.
I'm leaning to what is behind door #2 in this case - because you have to think that this vote of no-confidence, and there is no other way to look at this move except to say that UVa. no longer has confidence in Groh's ability to turn the Virginia football ship around, will kill recruiting now and in the future.
The fact is that Groh can no longer tell recruits that he can guarantee that he will be around the length of their stays on Grounds - given that his contract expires in 2010.
Another fact to keep in mind - one has to assume that UVa. president John Casteen, reportedly Groh's biggest supporter, had to have signed off on this.
That in itself could be the death-knell for the Al Groh tenure.
- Chris Graham

2006-11-30T06:26:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

The ACC has once again won the ACC-Big Ten Challenge by taking four of five games last night for an 8-3 margin in this year's event.

North Carolina rallied to beat the country's top-ranked team, Ohio State. Boston College took care of Michigan State. Clemson romped over Minnesota. And Virginia Tech edged Iowa.

The only ACC team to lose last night was Virginia, a team that just cracked the Top 25 this week.

NC State fans can give up any hope they may have had that Pittsburgh's Bill Cower would coach the Wolfpack. While it looks like Miami may promote from within. Just for fun, here are a few other rumors in coaching circles.

Riley Skinner faces biggest test this weekend. While Calvin Johnson was named ACC player of the year a few days before he leads his team in the ACC title game.

Friend of the Nation Ayla Brown, a former American Idol contestant, is hitting the right notes on the court for Boston College.

2006-11-29T13:02:00.000-05:00

Maryland player's big moment still sinking in
Emily Trycinski had been dreaming of the moment since her days as an up-and-coming field-hockey player in Nazareth, Pa.
And then it was there - the ball was in front of the Wake Forest net, and Trycinski, a Maryland senior, was in position to send the Terrapins toward their second consecutive NCAA title.
"Oh, my gosh - even today, I still can't believe it," said Trycinski, whose goal at the 30:08 mark was the difference as Maryland knocked off Wake Forest by a 1-0 count in the Nov. 19 national-championship game.
Trycinski told "ACC Nation" last week that she couldn't even remember how things transpired - though she has since seen the play on video.
"It was basically just a scramble - and I was in the right place at the right time," said Trycinski, a forward on the back-to-back national champs, who scored six goals and had a team-best .300 shooting percentage in her senior season.
It was tough repeating - Wake Forest was actually considered the team to beat for the better part of the '06 season, and entered the NCAAs ranked #1 in the country after defeating Maryland 1-0 in the finals of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
"Coming into the season, I don't we even really focused on repeating. It wasn't really talked about. We just kind of went game by game - and each game focused on what we wanted to accomplish. And then we just ended up in the final. There was no real, like, We've got to make it, we've got to make it. It just happened for us, I think," Trycinski said.
Maryland sort of just happened for Trycinski as well. A two-time all-state performer in high school, she wanted to be able to help Maryland add to its portfolio of what was then three national field-hockey titles.
"I remember when I was younger looking at all the schools, and thinking, Wow, Maryland is so awesome. I can't imagine going there. And then I got a letter from them, and pursued them, and here I am, basically," Trycinski said.
And now, in a four-year flash, it's all over - though that has yet to begin to sink in for Trycinski.
"I don't think so, not yet - because I'm still hanging around with everybody," Trycinski said. "I don't think field hockey will ever go away for me completely. I'm a phys-ed major, and so I'll eventually be in a school setting, and maybe even coach high school. And I'm hoping to stay around next year and help out with the team occasionally. So it will definitely still be a part of my life."
Next year could be another solid one for Maryland - Trycinski thinks the program could be loaded for another run at a national title.
"We could do it all again. We still have Nicole Muracco, our scoring sensation, and we still have a strong backfield with Susie Rowe and Bri Davies. And we have upcoming Ellen Ott, who saw some time this year. So we definitely will have a strong team again," Trycinski said.
- Chris Graham

2006-11-29T06:26:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

The ACC is now up 4 games to 2 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge with five games remaining tonight.

Duke escaped with a win over Indiana. Georgia Tech survived Penn State. Greivis led Maryland to a win on the road. Miami lost a close one as its coach was grieving the loss of his nephew. And Florida State lost its second in a row.

Wake's Jim Grobe was named ACC coach of the year yesterday, and told reporters he was staying in Winston-Salem despite rumors that he will take another job.

If Georgia Tech loses Saturday in the ACC title game, it may not be invited back to Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl, even if the league rules call for it.

N.C. State's Kay Yow is battling cancer again.

2006-11-28T19:37:00.000-05:00

Is Georgia Tech vs. Wake Forest good for the ACC?

If the media had done its homework a little more thoroughly, perhaps the ACC football title game Saturday afternoon wouldn’t be such a surprise. At least that is Woody Durham’s take.

As it is, Georgia Tech was picked in the preseason to finish third in the ACC’s Coastal Conference, while Wake Forest was selected dead last in the Atlantic Division. Now those two teams will square off in Jacksonville, Fla., for the championship of the conference.

“The media should be a bit red-faced about this matchup …” Durham, the legendary play-by-play voice of the North Carolina Tar Heels told ACC Nation this week. “Had the media taken the time to study the preseason info, those who voted would have discovered that Georgia Tech and Wake Forest had more returning experience than any other ACC team.”

Even with that being the case, neither school is considered an elite team in ACC football. Tech did share a national championship with Colorado in 1990, but it’s been 36 years since Wake has won even an ACC title.

Lately neither team has been in sniffing distance of a conference title. Instead, Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech have been looked at as the football powers of the conference, even if two of the three are relative newcomers.

“Most people thought the Labor Day matchup between FSU and Miami was a preview of the ACC championship,” said Rick “Doc” Walker, the ACC football color analyst for Lincoln Financial Sports. “Wrong. It was just the start of a very exciting 2006 season.”

Exciting, yes. But is a Georgia Tech-Wake Forest matchup good for the ACC?

“Georgia Tech and Wake Forest are good for the conference because they kicked most of the conference in the rear end,” Walker told ACC Nation. “You earn your way into the ACC championship game. You’re not voted in.”

Still, there’s concern among some that, without the traditional big names, the game will struggle to sell tickets and, maybe more importantly, garner good television ratings.

Bill Roth, the voice of the Virginia Tech Hokies, said the football title game isn’t like the ACC basketball tournament yet. No matter who plays for the hoops title, the coliseum will be packed and other fans will be watching on TV. That’s not necessarily the case for the ACC football championship game.

“There is a reason Fox wants the Yankees in the World Series and similarly, the ideal situation for the ACC would be to have a pair of traditionally big name teams who would pack the stadium as well as boost the TV numbers nationally,” Roth said. “Fair or unfair, each year, the ACC championship game will be compared to the SEC championship game.”

This year that SEC title game will feature two highly ranked teams in Florida and Arkansas. Roth pointed out that, since the first SEC championship game in 1992, either Florida, Tennessee, or Georgia has played in the game.

“You haven't seen Vandy or Mississippi State in that game,” Roth said, “and I wonder if those teams played against each other, could they sell 75,000 seats at the Georgia Dome?”

Durham isn’t sure how ticket sales will go this year in Jacksonville, but he believes that having Georgia Tech and Wake Forest in the title game will be good in the long run for the ACC, if only because it will raise expectations at other schools not traditionally known as football powers.

“It might put a little more heat on the coaches at the other schools,” Durham said. “Now every school will believe its team can be a contender, and why not?”

Durham said other schools may have never believed they could compete for a title with the likes of FSU and Miami dominating the conference, but the success of Georgia Tech and Wake Forest has changed that.

“The other teams are no longer intimidated by these bullies,” Durham said. “They have recruited to compete against them. I realize Clemson folded up at mid-season like a cheap suit, but at the outset the Tigers, overall, were the best team in the league. To me, that’s just as big a story as Wake Forest getting to the championship game.”

Walker agreed with Durham that other teams now have confidence they can compete in the ACC year in and year out. And that’s a good thing, he said.

“ACC fans should be proud that this conference is not viewed as a two-headed monster,” Walker said. “FSU and Miami will return with great teams, but the new ACC will never be the same.”

- Patrick Hite

2006-11-28T06:31:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

North Carolina State started the ACC off on the right foot in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The games continue tonight.

Butch Davis was introduced yesterday as the next North Carolina football coach. Barry Saunders writes that the hiring of Davis gives Carolina hope.

Miami is still working on finding its next coach, but so far it isn't hurting recruiting.

Bob Lipper writes that the ACC is slowly learning about big-time football.

Florida State is one of several ACC teams waiting on a bowl bid.

As Georgia Tech gets ready for the ACC title game, there will be no change in quarterback.

The All-ACC football team was announced yesterday.

2006-11-27T11:47:00.000-05:00

A look back at my early 2006 hot seat
Back in April, right after spring practices wrapped up, I penned a column on four Atlantic Coast Conference football coaches that I thought would be on the hot seat in 2006.
My top two were, one, Larry Coker, who was fired last week after his Miami squad put the finishing touches on a 6-6 regular season, and two, John Bunting, who was fired from his job at North Carolina several weeks ago before finishing out a 3-9 season on Saturday with a win over 0-12 Duke.
I have to say that I didn't foresee Chuck Amato being bounced out at North Carolina State - in part because I didn't foresee the Wolfpack dropping their last seven to go 3-9, but more because the talk in Raleigh before the '06 campaign was that the school was strongly considering offering Amato an extension on his contract, for what I don't know, but that was what was being said.
I might be wrong on this, but my read is that with all of this in mind even a five-win season would have kept Chuckie Red Shoes at his alma mater for another year.
Numbers three and four on my post-spring practice hot-seat list were Al Groh at Virginia and Bobby Bowden at Florida State. I think I deserve partial credit on these - if only because the pressure was on Groh after a 2-5 start that had a group of well-heeled alums publicly exploring options for buying out Groh's contract, and also because Bowden felt similar pressure at FSU in the midst of what became a 6-6 season that saw his son, Jeff Bowden, resign from his offensive-coordinator job earlier this month.
I will leave both on my list for 2007 - noting the pressure that Groh has put on himself after telling reporters repeatedly this fall that he was playing the 2006 season with his 2007 team, and the pressure that Bowden will continue to feel from boosters to return the Seminoles to what they feel is their rightful place in the college-football pecking order.
One other possible addition - Duke's Ted Roof, who is clearly fighting an uphill battle, given Duke's small size and lackluster facilities, but would seem to have a tougher time using that as a crutch in light of the success that Jim Grobe is having this year at similarly undersized and facilities-deprived Wake Forest.
- Chris Graham

2006-11-27T06:35:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Another day, another coach gone. NC State fired Chuck Amato late Sunday night, making a total of three coaches gone in the ACC this season. As the school looks for another coach, Caulton Tudor writes it must start with offense. Frank Dascenzo writes that it came down to simply not winning enough.

Miami is still looking for a coach. Here's one more who turned down a chance to coach the 'Canes.

Virginia Tech struggled in Disney. Virginia won easily over Maryland-Eastern Shore.

Duke falls in NCAA soccer tournament.

2006-11-26T07:25:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Wake Forest will be playing Georgia Tech for the ACC title Saturday after the Deacons beat Maryland last night. At least Wake will be coming off a win, which is more than Georgia Tech can say.

North Carolina State, Florida State and Clemson also lost non-conference games yesterday, while Virginia Tech beat Virginia and North Carolina won a shootout with Duke.

Will Greg Schiano leave Rutgers or not?

North Carolina became the second ACC team to advance to the women's soccer final four with a win over Texas A&M yesterday.

Duke bounced back with a win over Davidson in men's basketball. Here's the other results from men's basketball.

Here's what happened in women's basketball Saturday.

2006-11-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation weekend picks

Mike Stevens of WDBJ TV 7 in Roanoke, Va., joined the guys to pick the weekend games in the ACC.

Click here to listen to the show.

Click here for the standings.

The picks:

North Carolina at Duke:
Mike - Carolina, Chris - Duke, Patrick - Carolina

Florida at Florida State:
Mike - Florida, Chris - Florida, Patrick - Florida

South Carolina at Clemson:
Mike - South Carolina, Chris - Clemson, Patrick - South Carolina

Virginia at Virginia Tech:
Mike - Tech, Chris - UVa., Patrick - Tech

Georgia Tech at Georgia:
Mike - Georgia, Chris - Tech, Patrick - Georgia

East Carolina at North Carolina State:
Mike - ECU, Chris - NC State, Patrick - ECU

Wake Forest at Maryland:
Mike - Wake, Chris - Maryland, Patrick - Wake

2006-11-25T08:44:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Lots of football today. Maryland and Wake Forest will determine the Atlantic Division title tonight. Clemson has beaten South Carolina six times in the last seven games. Virginia Tech's quarterback looking for revenge over underdog Virginia. FSU looking for upset over Florida. John Bunting prepares for his last game as Carolina and Duke get ready to play. And the AJC is split over who will win the Georgia Tech - Georgia game.

Miami's regular season is over, and so is the coaching tenure of Larry Coker (although, as the story points out, Coker would coach the Hurricanes if they receive a bowl invitation.)

In men's basketball, North Carolina State remained a bit of a surprise early on, winning yet again last night. UNC bounced back after its first loss of the season. Florida State got its first test of the season, and it wasn't pretty. Maryland, Virginia Tech and Clemson all won.

Duke plays tonight, and the questions about the Blue Devils begin with the health of Greg Paulus.

Here's what happened in women's basketball Friday.

Virginia and Wake Forest advanced to the men's soccer final four. Florida State is in the women's final four.

2006-11-24T13:39:00.000-05:00

Coker fired

Fair or not, Miami's Larry Coker was fired this morning. Here's what he had to say at a news conference this morning. And here's what UM President Donna Shalala had to say. ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach writes about possible replacements.

2006-11-24T09:41:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Was a sixth victory - meaning a bowl bid - enough to save Larry Coker's job?

Ted Roof will be back at Duke next season.

Maybe all that hype about ACC basketball wasn't warranted. Another ACC team lost a non-conference game Thursday night as Virginia Tech fell to Western Michigan. Florida State will get a chance to help out the ACC tonight.

Good story on North Carolina's Brandan Wright.

2006-11-23T16:15:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation (weekend of Nov. 24)

On ACC Nation this week, Patrick and Chris preview one of the biggest games this rivalry weekend – Virginia at Virginia Tech.

Jeff White, who covers the Cavaliers for the ( Richmond ) Times Dispatch, joins the guys, while Mike Stevens of WDBJ TV 7 in Roanoke , Va. , updates the listeners on the Hokies. Mike also joins Patrick and Chris to pick the weekend ACC football games.

Emily Trycinski, a senior on the Maryland field hockey team, talks with the guys about her team’s recent national championship victory and her game-winning goal.

As always, there is the Sound and the Fury, and Patrick and Chris give their thoughts on ACC basketball at this early stage of the season.

That and more on ACC Nation.

Click here to listen

2006-11-23T15:59:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Not much for the ACC to give thanks for this week. The top four teams in preseason voting by ACC media all lost this week. Duke went down Tuesday, then North Carolina, Boston College and Georgia Tech all fell Wednesday night. And the fifth-place choice of voters will finally get tested Friday night.

At least Virgina won.

One football coach - Larry Coker - may lose his job after tonight's game, and another - Chuck Amato - is in trouble, but it looks like Ted Roof at Duke will be around for another year.

Speaking of Coker, here's another story about his job status on ESPN.com

2006-11-22T22:39:00.000-05:00

Patrick Hite's 2006 All-ACC Football Team

OFFENSE
Quarterback
1 Matt Ryan, Jr., Boston College
2 Sam Hollenbach, Sr., Maryland

Running Back
1 James Davis, So., Clemson
1 Branden Ore, So., Virginia Tech
2 Tashard Choice, Jr., Georgia Tech
2 C.J. Spiller, Fr., Clemson

Wide Receiver
1 Calvin Johnson, Jr., Georgia Tech
1 Greg Carr, So., Florida State
2 Kevin Challenger, Jr., Boston College
2 Kevin Ogletree, So., Virginia

Tight End
1 Greg Olsen, Jr., Miami
2 Joey Haynos, Jr., Maryland

Tackle
1 Steve Vallos, Sr., Wake Forest
1 Duane Brown, Jr., Virginia Tech
2 Stephon Heyer, Sr., Maryland
2 Barry Richardson, Jr., Clemson

Guard
1 Branden Albert, So., Virginia
1 Josh Beekman, Sr., Boston College
2 Charlston Gray, Jr., North Carolina
2 Matt Rhodes, Jr., Georgia Tech

Center
1 Dustin Fry, Sr., Clemson
2 Steve Justice, Jr., Wake Forest

DEFENSE
Defensive End
1 Gaines Adams, Sr., Clemson
1 Chris Long, Jr., Virginia
2 Calais Campbell, So., Miami
2 Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Fr., Virginia

Defensive Tackle
1 Andre Fluellen, Jr., Florida State
1 B.J. Raji, Jr., Boston College
2 DeMarcus (Tank) Tyler, Sr., NC State
2 DeMario Pressley, Jr., NC State

Linebackers
1 Buster Davis, Sr., Florida State
1 Vince Hall, Jr., Virginia Tech
1 Jon Abbate, Jr., Wake Forest
2 Erin Henderson, So., Maryland
2 Lawrence Timmons, Jr., Florida State
2 Philip Wheeler, Jr., Georgia Tech

Cornerback
1 Brandon Flowers, So., Virginia Tech
1 Marcus Hamilton, Sr., Virginia
2 John Talley, Sr., Duke
2 Kenny Scott, Sr. Georgia Tech

Safety
1 Kenny Phillips, So., Miami
1 Josh Gattis, Sr., Wake Forest
2 Myron Rolle, Fr., Florida State
2 Brandon Meriweather, Sr., Miami

SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker
1 Brandon Pace, Sr., Virginia Tech
2 Dan Ennis, Sr., Maryland

Punter
1 Adam Podlesh, Sr., Maryland
2 Durant Brooks, Jr., Georgia Tech

Specialist
1 Eddie Royal, Jr., Virginia Tech
2 Jeff Smith, Fr., Boston College

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - C.J. Spiller, Clemson
COACH OF THE YEAR - Jim Grobe, Wake Forest
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Gaines Adams, Clemson
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech

- Patrick Hite

2006-11-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

Chris Graham's 2006 All-ACC Football Team

OFFENSE
Quarterback
1 - Matt Ryan, Jr., Boston College
2 - Sam Hollenbach, Sr., Maryland

Running Back
1 - James Davis, So., Clemson
1 - Branden Ore, So., Virginia Tech
2 - Tashard Choice, Jr., Georgia Tech
2 - Jason Snelling, Sr., Virginia

Wide Receiver
1 - Calvin Johnson, Jr., Georgia Tech
1 - Kevin Ogletree, So., Virginia
2 - Chansi Stuckey, Sr., Clemson
2 - Kevin Challenger, Jr., Boston College

Tight End
1 - Greg Olsen, Jr., Miami
2 - Thomas Hunter, Sr., Clemson

Tackle
1 - Steve Vallos, Sr., Wake Forest
1 - Duane Brown, Jr., Virginia Tech
2 - Jim Marten, Sr., Boston College
2- Barry Richardson, Jr., Clemson

Guard
1- Branden Albert, So., Virginia
1 - Leroy Harris, Sr., NC State
2 - Josh Beekman, Sr., Boston College
2 - Nathan Bennett, Sr., Clemson

Center
1 - Steve Justice, Jr., Wake Forest
2 - Kevin Tuminello, Jr., Georgia Tech

DEFENSE
Defensive End
1 - Chris Long, Jr., Virginia
1 - Gaines Adams, Sr., Clemson
2 - Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Fr., Virginia
2 - Chris Ellis, Jr., Virginia Tech

Defensive Tackle
1 - Joe Anoai, Sr., Georgia Tech
1 - Dorell Scott, So., Clemson
2 - Conrad Bolston, Sr., Maryland
2 - Dre Moore, Jr., Maryland

Linebackers
1 - Xavier Adibi, Jr., Virginia Tech
1 - Vince Hall, Jr., Virginia Tech
1 - Jon Abbate, Jr., Wake Forest
2 - Jon Beason, Jr., Miami
2 - Jon Copper, So., Virginia
2 - Aaron Curry, So., Wake Forest

Cornerback
1 - Marcus Hamilton, Sr., Virginia
1 - John Talley, Sr., Duke
2 - Tony Carter, So., Florida State
2 - Victor Harris, So., Virginia Tech

Safety
1 - Brandon Meriweather, Sr., Miami
1 - Myron Rolle, Fr., Florida State
2 - Ryan Glasper, Sr., Boston College
2 - Kenny Phillips, So., Miami

SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker
1 - Brandon Pace, Sr., Virginia Tech
2 - Sam Swank, So., Wake Forest

Punter
1 - Durant Brooks, Jr., Georgia Tech
2 - Adam Podlesh, Sr., Maryland

Specialist
1 - Eddie Royal, Jr., Virginia Tech
2 - Jeff Smith, Fr., Boston College

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - Riley Skinner, Wake Forest
COACH OF THE YEAR - Jim Grobe, Wake Forest
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Gaines Adams, Clemson
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
- Chris Graham

2006-11-22T09:21:00.000-05:00

Pols weigh in on UVa.-Tech football clash
The Virginia-Virginia Tech football rivalry has stepped it up a notch - since the politicians got involved.
The addition of Virginia Tech into the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2004 - prompted by the intervention of former governor Mark Warner, who pushed for the inclusion of Tech at the expense of former Big East Conference-mate Syracuse, which had been considered a frontrunner for being brought in along with Miami and Boston College early in the conference expansion talks - turned what was for decades a backyard brawl into an annual clash with division and conference-wide implications.
And that is the case again this year - though UVa. will enter Lane Stadium in Blacksburg with a 5-6 overall record, the 'Hoos could take second place in the ACC Coastal Division from the 9-2 Hokies with an upset win.
In another case illustrating how politics makes for strange bedfellows, the Commonwealth's elected leaders are united on one thing - that Saturday's game is the Hokies' to lose.
"This is a great rivalry game for Virginia. We always look forward to the Tech/UVa. game," said Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican who, like Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, is a Virginia Tech fan.
"As far as who we are pulling for, I have to admit that we are adopted Hokies. Our oldest son, Matt, just graduated from Virginia Tech, so we bleed maroon and orange. We cheer for UVa. every other week of the year, but this weekend we'll be pulling for the Hokies," Bolling said.
Steve Landes, the chair of the Republican caucus in the Virginia House of Delegates, and whose 25th House District includes portions of Albemarle County just west of Charlottesville, the home to the University of Virginia, didn't say what his rooting interest was.
"But looking at the two teams, I think Tech will be successful," Landes said.
"That game is such an emotionally charged game - there could be a surprise. It could be very close, or it could be just a blowout for Tech," Landes said.
Landes is a committed sports fan - regularly attending athletics events at both schools. He thinks Tech football fans give their team an advantage in their home stadium.
"It will help Tech, obviously, that it's in Blacksburg. That makes it a lot easier. And that stadium is just impressive - with the fan support and the noise in the place," Landes said.
"Tech fans just get more enthusiastic. Unfortunately, UVa. football fans, they're enthusiastic, but sometimes, if their team gets a little bit behind, they just get really, really down on the team. And I think that hurts them sometimes," Landes told the AFP.
Staunton Republican Del. Chris Saxman - on the short list of up-and-coming Virginia pols to keep an eye on - is, like Landes, a big sports fan, particularly a big football fan.
Saxman thinks the line on the game - the Hokies were favored by 17 points as of the writing of this story - is perhaps out of touch with what will happen on the field.
"That's a big line," Saxman said. "Virginia's defense is a lot better than I think they're given credit for. With Branden Ore being out, I think Virginia covers, but loses.
"I think maybe a 10-point game - if they can cut down on the mistakes that they had last year, which was an abysmal game for the Cavaliers," Saxman told the AFP.
Ah, yes - last year's game. Virginia Tech manhandled their in-state rivals by a 52-14 count in Charlottesville last November.
Winchester Republican Sen. Russ Potts - the former athletics director at Southern Methodist University back during its Pony Express days and former member of the NCAA men's basketball tournament-selection committee - thinks the memory of that showing could serve to motivate the Cavaliers.
"I think Virginia Tech will win, but I think it'll be a close ballgame," said Potts, a candidate for governor in 2005. "Virginia has played much better. The quarterback at Virginia (freshman Jameel Sewell) is really getting better - and it looks like Virginia is peaking now. So they're meeting Virginia Tech at the right time.
"I think you have to give the edge to Virginia Tech - I'd say 10 points, 14 points, somewhere in that area," Potts told the AFP.
Mount Solon Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger - who in a previous life was a basketball player at James Madison University - sounds like he might be running for higher office again soon.
Asked his thoughts on the game, Hanger - who was briefly a candidate for the '05 Republican Party lieutenant-governor nomination - said he is simply "pulling for it to be competitive."
"I'll be watching for a good football game," Hanger told the AFP. "I don't think I'll be rooting for either side this time. I guess this year I would have more of a tendency to be rooting for Virginia Tech - in that the expectations for their team at Tech were greater, and they haven't quite lived up to those expectations. So I would like to see them have a good game."
Attorney General Bob McDonnell also played the politics game.
"I've been to a couple of those games over the years, and seen each of them win," said McDonnell, a Notre Dame graduate who roots for the Fighting Irish.
"I think the records sort of go out the window when Tech and UVa. play. They have a great rivalry," McDonnell, a Republican, told the AFP. "They're two excellent football programs - but more than that, what I'm proud of is that we've got two of the top 25 public institutions academically right here in Virginia. We've actually got more, but these are two of them. They're excellent schools with a lot to be proud of because of their outstanding academics, their community support and just the fine people that graduate."I think it will be a competitive game. UVa. is coming off a big win. Tech has several big wins this year. I certainly hope that it will be a competitive game - and like a good politician, I'm rooting for the best team," McDonnell said.
-Chris Graham

2006-11-22T06:58:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Duke is no longer unbeaten after Marquette beat the Devils Tuesday night. NC State, on the other hand, continues to win. And Georgia Tech almost fell, but stormed back to beat Memphis. And Clemson beat Mississippi State with, get this, clutch free-throw shooting.

Carolina hopes to keep rolling against a tough Gonzaga team tonight.

Friend of the Nation Marc Carig writes that the bowl picture for ACC teams is cloudy. It's clear in Raleigh though - the Wolfpack won't be in a bowl, although Ned Barnett thinks NC State should give Chuck Amato another season.

It appears Miami won't give Larry Coker another season.

Virginia and Virginia Tech is among the rivalries set for this weekend. So is Georgia and Georgia Tech. And FSU and Florida.

2006-11-21T06:47:00.000-05:00

Coker looks like a beaten man

He’ll never say this, but Larry Coker may be more relieved than anything when official word finally comes.

Win or lose in Thursday night’s finale against Boston College, Coker should get word within days, if not hours, after that game that he has been fired as Miami’s coach. Or maybe the official word will be he resigned. Whatever the wording, there’s no way Coker returns to coach the Hurricanes next season.

If you needed any more of a hint that Coker won’t be back, one big-name coach has already taken his name out of the running for the job. South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier said he still had work to do in Columbia. The truth is, he probably has less work to do with the Gamecocks than he would with the ‘Canes.

The Miami players seem to have already given up on the season. While not advocating quitting, it’s hard to blame them.

“It’s been tough,” Coker said of the season following Saturday’s 17-7 loss at Virginia. “It’s been draining on everybody. I think it maybe culminated today because we didn’t play with a lot of energy today. I don’t want to use that as an excuse, but we didn’t. It’s has been, it’s been very tough.”

Coker was talking about events both on and off the field. His team has now lost four games in a row – the first time in nine seasons that has happened in Miami - and is 2-5 in the ACC. That’s not something that is supposed to happen at Miami, and, still, it almost pales by comparison to two other events that have taken place this season.

On Oct. 14 Miami was involved in an ugly on-field brawl with players from Florida International. The fight was a national topic of conversation in the sports world for a week or so after it happened. Some say it proved Coker has lost control of his team.

And then, less than two weeks before the Virginia game, Miami player Bryan Pata was shot and killed at his apartment in Miami. The team attended funeral services for their teammate days before they came to Charlottesville.

“It affects different people in different ways,” Coker said of everything surrounding the death of Pata. “Obviously it was a very draining week with the services on Tuesday and Wednesday. But the bottom line is sometimes when you make plays you develop energy, and we just didn’t generate enough plays to feed off of one another. I don’t want to use the excuse that the drain of the week cost us the game.”

Coker looks like a beaten man. He was in and out of his postgame press conference before Virginia’s Al Groh even began his. Groh is a coach who was on the hot seat early in the season, but has somehow managed to turn the tide with a redshirt freshman quarterback leading the way. Coker has been unable to do the same thing.

That will, ultimately, be his downfall.

- Patrick Hite

2006-11-20T11:59:00.000-05:00

Tale of two teams
One team is happy to be 5-6. The other is clearly not.
It was a tale of two teams going in very different directions who met in Scott Stadium in Charlottesville on Saturday.
"I'm proud of the way our guys fought and executed," Virginia coach Al Groh said after his team knocked off Miami by a 17-7 final count.
"It was really awesome to stand out there and watch the total team effort. It was going to take a real strong effort - offense, defense, special teams collectively - to beat a team like Miami. We fought as hard as a team can fight, and we executed like a big-time team," Groh said.
The win pushed the Cavs to a 5-6 record in 2006 - not a bad place to be in the context of the aftermath of a 28-26 loss to Maryland on Oct. 14 that came after UVa. had built up a 20-0 halftime lead left the program looking up at a 2-5 mark.
Miami was the reverse of that - sitting at 5-2 a month ago before beginning on a losing streak that was added to over the weekend.
"I'm sick of losing. Miami's sick of losing. This football team's sick of losing," UM quarterback Kirby Freeman said after the game.
"You know it's been like this all along. We've been busting our tails in practice. We're doing what we need to be a good football team. Things aren't clicking," Freeman said.
That was obvious on the turf at Scott Stadium - where the UVa. defense limited the once-powerful Hurricanes offense to 263 total yards, 77 of which came on a late touchdown pass from Freeman to wideout Lance Leggett.
The Virginia offense, meanwhile, seemed to be clicking on all cylinders - running for 132 yards and passing for 217 yards as the Cavaliers rang up 21 first downs and 33:30 in time of possession.
"We just got beat. The better team won the game today," said Miami coach Larry Coker, who is clearly on the hottest of hot seats as the '06 season winds down. "We didn't do things to win the game. We didn't tackle well on defense. We didn't do enough things on offense to give ourselves a chance to win. We had a couple of turnovers. That's about it. The best team won the game. They outplayed us."

2006-11-19T07:42:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

It won't play for the ACC title, but after watching Virginia Tech Saturday night it's tough not to think that the Hokies are the best team in the ACC. One concern after the game - Branden Ore was hurt early and his status for Saturday is up in the air.

Boston College may want to claim best team in the ACC, and the Eagles still have a chance to win the title.

Miami, on the other hand, isn't talking about any titles. The Hurricanes just hope to make a bowl.

North Carolina finally beat a Division I-A team. I like this story because Larry Edwards is quoted as saying the firing of John Bunting was "one of the more unfortunate things" to happen this year. You don't say.

With NC State's loss, perhaps Chuck Amato's job is in jeopardy.

2006-11-18T00:08:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation weekend picks

Mark Armstrong of ABC 11 in Raleigh Durham joined Patrick and Chris for the weekly football picks.

Click here for the show.

Click here for the standings.

Maryland at Boston College:
Mark - BC Chris - BC Patrick - Maryland

Miami at Virginia:
Mark - Miami Chris - Miami Patrick - Miami

North Carolina State at North Carolina:
Mark - NC State Chris - NC State Patrick - UNC

Duke at Georgia Tech:
Mark - GT Chris - GT Patrick - GT

Western Michigan at Florida State:
Mark - FSU Chris - FSU Patrick - Western Michigan

Virginia Tech at Wake Forest:
Mark - VT Chris - VT Patrick - Wake

2006-11-17T09:27:00.000-05:00

More changes in store at Florida State?
Here's why Florida State needs to make a change at the top of its football program.
"I am disappointed in Jeff's decision. I tried my best to encourage him to stay the course, but he was firm in his belief that it is time to move on. This is a big loss to me personally. I would hope that everyone understands that his decision is an emotional one for me, and for that reason I'm not going to discuss it any further at this time."
Those were the senior Bowden's words when son Jeff announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down as the offensive coordinator at FSU following the 2006 season.
Jeff Bowden took over the coordinator duties at Florida State in 2001 when former coordinator Mark Richt assumed the head-coaching job at Georgia.
He inherited an offense that had rung up 37.5 and 42.4 points per game, respectively, in Richt's last two seasons - and basically oversaw its slow demise.
In '01, the Seminoles scored a respectable (for anyone not named FSU) 33.9 points per game. In 2002, it was down to 30.6 points per game.
There was a slight uptick in '03, to 32.2 points per game.
The '04 team was pedestrian by any standard - scoring 25.1 points per game.
After improving to 28.9 points per game in 2005, the scoring is back down to 25.9 points per game through 10 games of the 2006 season - and if you take out the 106 points posted in blowout wins against overmatched Rice and Duke, you're talking about a Florida State offense that scores an average of 19.1 points per game.
For Bobby Bowden not to see this means that he is either completely out of touch with reality - and more than a few people would argue that this has been the case for some time now - or that he simply should never have had his son in that position in the first place.
This was clear when word got out a while back that Bobby Bowden had had to maneuver his staff to make it so that Jeff Bowden reported directly to another assistant coach rather than his father to get around a university nepotism policy.
Which puts this comment from athletics director Dave Hart in a rather interesting light, if nothing else.
"Jeff initiated this conversation with me within the past day or so. At that point, we were on a parallel plane of mutual understanding and agreement that this decision was in the best interest of all concerned and a public announcement should be expedited," Hart said on Tuesday.
"Everyone associated with our football program expresses appreciation to Jeff for his dedication to Florida State University, and we wish him nothing but the best," Hart said.
Is it just me, or were Hart and Bobby Bowden working against each other on this?
(Not to mention the role of the program's boosters - who agreed to pay Jeff Bowden through 2012 to get him out the door.)
Yeah, it's time for a change at FSU - and sooner rather than later.
- Chris Graham

2006-11-17T06:39:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

Did you hear that little uh-oh around ACC Nation last night? That was the rest of the basketball teams after watching Maryland whip St. John's. Perhaps the other 11 should Fear the Turtle this season.

Duke has little trouble in its second game last night, while Georgia Tech also got a win.

Wake Forest is ignoring the pain as it gets ready for Virginia Tech.

As Virginia prepares for Miami Saturday, it must find a way to get its offense playing as well as its defense. Meanwhile, in basketball, Virginia gets another recruit.

Does anyone care that Carolina and State play this weekend?

And Jeff Bowden will make a lot of money not to coach in the future, but FSU's AD says that's not unusual.

2006-11-16T23:01:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation (weekend of Nov. 17)

On ACC Nation this week, we talk about the two best surprises in the conference this football season – Wake Forest and Maryland. Dan Collins of the Winston Salem Journal joins us to talk about the Deacons, and Maryland beat writer Marc Carig of the Washington Post discusses the turnaround by the Terps this season.

There were also comings and goings in the coaching ranks this week, and we have those covered for you. Friend of the Nation Emily Badger of the Orlando Sentinel joins us to talk about Jeff Bowden’s resignation as FSU’s offensive coordinator, while Mark Armstrong of ABC 11 in Raleigh/Durham has the latest on North Carolina’s new football coach, Butch Davis.

Mark also picks the weekend ACC games with the Patrick and Chris, and, as always, there’s the Sound and the Fury. Plus, much more on ACC Nation.

Click here to listen

2006-11-14T06:42:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

North Carolina has a new football coach. J.P Giglio of the News and Observer writes that Butch Davis turned Miami around and could do the same at Carolina.

In the game of rotating quarterbacks, Drew Weatherford is back in at FSU.

Boston College off to a slow start. Duke started slow, but picked up the pace late.

Clemson's bowl destination up in the air.

Maryland AD got the last laugh when the Terps won the women's title last year.

2006-11-14T00:10:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation was in Greensboro, NC, recently for the ACC’s Operation Basketball. Patrick and Chris got to talk with all 12 men’s basketball coaches, plus select players from each school, and over the next few days we’ll let you know what they found out. ACC Nation will preview each of the 12 men’s basketball programs, going in reverse order of last year’s final regular-season standings, with one preview a day as we approach the start of the season.

Wake Forest – Oct. 31

Georgia Tech – Nov. 1

Virginia Tech – Nov. 2

Clemson – Nov. 3

Miami – Nov. 4

Virginia – Nov. 5

Maryland – Nov. 6

Florida State – Nov. 7

North Carolina State – Nov. 8

Boston College – Nov. 10

North Carolina – Nov. 11

Duke
(2005-06 season: 14-2 ACC, 32-4 overall; lost in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament to LSU 62-54)

It’s been a number of years since Duke entered a season with more questions than answers, but that may be the case this year.

How do the Blue Devils replace J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams, who are now in the NBA after extraordinary college careers?

Will Greg Paulus have to become more of a scorer to offset some point production lost by Redick?

Can a young team – one of the youngest in Mike Krzyzewski’s tenure – survive the rigors of the ACC?

Did coaching Team USA negatively affect Mike Krzyzewski?

Duke enters the season without a single scholarship senior on the roster and four freshmen in a highly rated incoming class.

Krzyzewski said he always considers himself a teacher, but this year that role takes on a different look.

“You still have to provide a young team a learning curve where they can make mistakes and look bad,” said Krzyzewski. “It’s a definite that we will have more peaks and valleys than a veteran team should have. And you need to allow that because these kids are changing limits, individually and collectively. There are going to be mistakes and as a teacher you have to be more patient.”

Gerald Henderson is perhaps the most celebrated freshman coming in this season. He averaged 21.5 points a game last season at Episcopal Academy, playing with Wayne Ellington, a freshman at North Carolina. The 6-5 Henderson is one of the most athletic players to come to Durham in a while.

The other freshmen – 6-5 Jon Scheyer, 7-0 Brian Zoubek and 6-9 Lance Thomas – may not get the press that Henderson does, but Krzyzewski doesn’t think them any less important.

“The four freshman will all be major contributors,” Krzyzewski said. “Some of them – or all of them – might start at times. Some will start all the time. They were very well coached in high school.”

So far this season, in fact, Scheyer has started both of Duke’s games, while Zoubek and Thomas both started one game each. Henderson has seen significant time off the bench so far.

Usually the upperclassmen are required to come to semester of summer school, and they usually choose the first semester. But this past summer all of them went to the second session so they could begin bonding with the freshmen.

“You talk about leadership. That was leadership in action,” Krzyzewski said.

That’s the type of leadership that will be needed from the upperclassmen this year. But if this Duke team is to make a run at North Carolina in the ACC, the Devils will also have to see improved play from Josh McRoberts and Paulus, among others.

McRoberts made a lot of Duke fans – as well as his coaches – happy when he passed on the NBA draft. Last year McRoberts scored 8.7 points a game and pulled down 5.3 rebounds per contest, but he will be expected to step up even more this season with the loss of Redick and Williams.

Meanwhile, Paulus led the ACC in assists last year and only turned the ball over 118 times, a respectable number for a freshman point guard. Consider this: Bobby Hurley had 166 turnovers his freshman season, and he went on to be a pretty good point guard (To be fair, Hurley’s assist-to-turnover ratio was 1.73 to 1 while Paulus’ was 1.58 to 1).

Paulus did only hit 37 percent of his field-goal attempts last year, and, without the scoring of Redick, he will be expected to improve his shooting.

Krzyzewski spent the summer – and will spend the next two summers – coaching Team USA. There are concerns from some that the extra workload will take its toll on the coach. He does admit it took something out of him, but he thinks he gained more than he lost.

“I brought back a lot,” Krzyzewski said. “First of all, a tired body, but a very fulfilled heart. You can’t be in that intense of an environment with the guys who were on my staff and not learn.”

For those thinking it may be a down year for Duke, maybe junior DeMarcus Nelson, who is finally healthy this season and should be a big contributor for the Blue Devils, sums it up best.

“We have a roster full of guys who are excited to play and very talented players,” Nelson said. “And we all want to win. That’s one thing you can’t change about Duke teams. Somehow we’re going to find ways to win.”

- Patrick Hite

2006-11-13T15:54:00.000-05:00

UVa. basketball news and notes
CHIPPING AWAY: Dave Leitao admits it sounds silly now.
Down 19 in the first half of his team's opener against 10th-ranked Arizona, a team that many feel is capable of making a run at the Final Four this year, the Virginia coach convinced himself and his team that all hope was not yet lost.
"The under-four timeout, I remember I told the team, If we can try to win these last four minutes, cut it to somewhere around 10, it would be manageable," Leitao said after Virginia's improbable 93-90 win over the Wildcats Sunday night.
" What happens is obviously in a team like Arizona, and they're a high-possession team - they don't work the shot clock - and so if you don't lose your patience, and you can kind of lock down, I thought we were going to have enough possessions to make a run," Leitao said.
"But this 13, and I don't know, I think it got up to 20 points, it's crazy, and I can't use the word manageable and make sense out of it, but it was striking distance," Leitao said. "And we thought, just stay within striking distance, and allow our defense to make some stops, then eventually we'd be OK."

REYNOLDS SOLDIERS ON: Virginia senior guard J.R. Reynolds is expected to shoulder a good part of the scoring load for the 2006-2007 Cavs - after scoring 17 points per game and being named third-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a junior.
So when word got out that Reynolds had suffered an eye injury that might keep him out of the opener with Arizona, well, let's just say that wasn't a hopeful message for Virginia fans who wanted to see the 'Hoos open the new John Paul Jones Arena with a win.
"I got in the heat of the moment, and I wasn't supposed to play today, but in the heat of the moment, I wanted to play," Reynolds told reporters after the game, in which he scored 10 points, all in the second half.
"I didn't want to let my teammates down in this big of a game. I've been waiting for this game for so long," Reynolds said.

YOUNG PLAYERS CATCH RYAN'S EYE: There were long stretches in the second half of Virginia's 92-72 win over in-state rival Old Dominion in the women's opener at the John Paul Jones Arena where UVa. coach Debbie Ryan had three first-year players on the floor at the same time.
Her message after the game - get used to it, because these kids are good.
"As you can see, the class was a very good class - probably better than touted. Because you had two players in the class that people didn't know a lot about - Jayna Hartig and Paulisha Kellum," Ryan said.
"When Paulisha Kellum caught the ball on the baseline that time and took the ball to the hole and finished, I think a lot of people were like, Whoa! Because she doesn't look like she's going to do things like that - but Paulisha Kellum is a very skilled player."
Kellum went under the recruiting radar last year after suffering an ACL injury - "and a lot of people didn't remember her much, because she didn't play much in the last year," Ryan said.
"Once she was recruited here and people started to see her again, a lot of people wanted to get in on her, but it was too late, because she had already committed," Ryan said."Jayna Hartig has been a surprise to me," said Ryan of Hartig, a versatile forward who can play in the post and on the wings.
"I knew Jayna was a very good - kind of like the glue on a team. She passes the ball extremely well. She can fill it up. She hustles. She rebounds. She does a lot of different things. And she may not be the fastest player on the court, but she is very intelligent," Ryan said.
Everybody knows about 5-11 guard Monica Wright, the preseason Atlantic Coast Conference rookie of the year who did not fail to impress in her home debut, scoring 11 points, snaring six rebounds and dishing out four assists against ODU.
"Monica Wright, when she steps up, she's just on another level. She's on complete other level," Ryan said.
"This class has been very different than a lot of other classes coming through the last couple of years. They've been very intelligent, they pick up things quickly, they want to get better, and they work extremely hard," Ryan said.
"They were here all summer with the team - so when we started the year this year, they were really ahead, because the team stayed during the time that they were here. Sometimes the team doesn't stay at that time, but they stayed late this year, and everybody just rolled right into the season. So they learned a lot just being around the players - and there's really great chemistry. And they're just intelligent kids. They really are," Ryan said.

NOT OVER THE HUMP YET: As great as it was to get the W in the opener with Arizona, Virginia coach Dave Leitao knows that he and his team have a lot of work to do between now and March.
Arizona, for starters, shot 47 percent from the field for the game - and for a stretch of the first half seemed to be outhustling Virginia on the boards and getting down the floor in transition.
"We're far from where we need to be - and I'm not going to stop, ever. I'm not going to stop until we get into a more comfortable place with this program. We're just going to continue to work as a group. Because we won today doesn't mean that we're going to be good tomorrow. We have to keep working at it," Leitao said.

OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT: One thing that Virginia coach Dave Leitao told his team at the start of their second-half run in their 93-90 victory over Arizona Sunday night might be a key for them all season.
"One thing I kept driving home with them is, challenge them. Force them to guard you," Leitao said. "With an offensive team like that - they scored 125 and 111 points in their two exhibition games - if you do that, you feel pretty good about yourself on offense. Which maybe means you didn't think that much about defense.
"So we thought if they were going to guard us, fine, but let's challenge them on it. And obviously, in the second half, I saw the looks on their faces change a little bit when we started going to the basket."
Virginia shot 57 percent from the field in the second half en route to scoring 57 points in the half.
The Cavs shot 35 percent in the first half while scoring 36 points.

QUOTABLE ...
- "His main talk was that he believed in us more than we actually believed in ourselves. For a lot of people in the locker room, that hit kind of deep. So everybody just came out with a fresh start - hopefully take it two points at a time and try to get a victory." - Jason Cain, talking about Dave Leitao's comments to the team at halftime.
- "Is that what we're talking about this time of year? Talk to me in March - when they say good win. But that's obviously the farthest thing from my mind right now." - Virginia coach Dave Leitao, responding to a reporter's question about the significance of the win on Virginia's NCAA tournament resume.
- "I'm proud of how we competed. I'm proud of how we were able to play against a very, very good team. I have a ton of respect - not just for this team, but for what Arizona basketball means. Coach Olsen, obviously, is a Hall of Fame coach - and anytime you get a chance to compete against somebody of that stature, and then be successful, it says a lot about your program, it says a lot about your team." - Leitao, on matching up against legendary Arizona coach Lute Olsen.
- "My mom couldn't be here today. I had no idea why she was so upset. She was hurt in a car accident about four or five weeks ago, and broke her neck, so she couldn't make the trip. When I came out of the locker room, they told me that I was supposed to give something to the alumni. And when I walked out, they said, That's not really what's going to happen. When Craig (Littlepage, the UVa. athletics director) finishes speaking, you need to walk out. And when I heard what they were saying, I was floored. I had no idea. But now I know why she was so upset. It was very touching. I feel very humbled by it. I really do." - Virginia women's coach Debbie Ryan, on having the women's team locker room named in her honor.
- "(Zoll is) one of the finest point guards that I think Virginia has had probably since the Dawn Staley ages. She just really puts things together for this Virginia team and puts the ball in the right place for these people to be successful and with their strengths. Zoll, I think, is really the key. She is just what makes them tick." - Old Dominion women's coach Wendy Larry, on Virginia point guard Sharnee Zoll.
- Chris Graham

2006-11-13T06:38:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

North Carolina has a new football coach, according to this News & Observer story.

Virginia won its opener in the new John Paul Jones Arena, upsetting Arizona. The UVa. women also won.

Greg Paulus returned as Duke won its first game. Look for a preview of Duke basketball - the final ACC men's basketball preview on ACC Nation - tonight.

A change at quarterback for Miami.

FSU's loss to wake an ugly sign.

2006-11-12T08:51:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

There were those who thought Wake Forest could win at Florida State. Very few, if any, though figured the Deacons would win in this fashion. Here's the take on the FSU side after Bobby Bowden's first shutout loss in Tallahassee.

In other football action, Georgia Tech survived North Carolina and, in the process, wrapped up the Coastal Division title. Maryland held off Miami. Virginia Tech blanked Kent State. Boston College eventually pulled away from Duke. And Clemson held off N.C. State.

Here's some men's basketball notes from Saturday. Duke won the lone women's game in the ACC.

A new beginning today for UVa. basketball.

2006-11-12T01:23:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation was in Greensboro, NC, recently for the ACC’s Operation Basketball. Patrick and Chris got to talk with all 12 men’s basketball coaches, plus select players from each school, and over the next few days we’ll let you know what they found out. ACC Nation will preview each of the 12 men’s basketball programs, going in reverse order of last year’s final regular-season standings, with one preview a day as we approach the start of the season.

Wake Forest – Oct. 31

Georgia Tech – Nov. 1

Virginia Tech – Nov. 2

Clemson – Nov. 3

Miami – Nov. 4

Virginia – Nov. 5

Maryland – Nov. 6

Florida State – Nov. 7

North Carolina State – Nov. 8

Boston College – Nov. 10

North Carolina
(2005-06 season: 12-4 ACC, 23-8 overall; lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to George Mason 65-60)

Last year was supposed to be a down season for North Carolina. But talk of the Tar Heels stumbling ended around the time a young Carolina squad won at Kentucky in early December. Carolina went on to finish second in the ACC’s regular season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament where the Heels were eventually beaten by George Mason in the second round.

Roy Williams, a year after winning his first national championship, never bought into the talk of a down year.

Said Williams, “I’m dumb enough to think that if we had gotten past George Mason maybe we could have won the whole thing again.”

This year the talk is of another national title for Williams and the Tar Heels. The coach isn’t getting sucked into that discussion either.

“I really don’t spend too much time worrying about it,” Williams said. “Last year at ACC media day we were picked sixth. I didn’t go home and say, ‘Oh gosh guys, that’s great, let’s see if we can finish sixth.’ We had our own hopes and dreams that I used as opposed to expectations.”

His players, at least publicly, have taken the same approach to a season that has them ranked No. 2 nationally and touted as one of a handful of teams that could win it all in the spring.

“We don’t really worry too much about the hype,” said Reyshawn Terry. “I’ve been on teams that have been at the top and we kind of let that get to our heads. So coach just tells us not to worry about the hype and take one game at a time. If we just try to do that, hopefully everything else takes care of itself.”

There are two main reasons for such high expectations in Chapel Hill.

First, Tyler Hansbrough decided to pass on his NBA future for now, instead returning for his sophomore season. Hansbrough led Carolina with 18.9 points and 7.8 rebounds, something unheard of for a freshman at North Carolina.

Second, Hansbrough and the other Carolina veterans will be surrounded by the nation’s top recruiting class. Tywon Lawson, Brandan Wright and Wayne Ellington will probably make the biggest impact early, but Alex Stepheson, Deon Thompson and William Graves should also contribute this season.

Combine the freshmen with Hansbrough and five of Carolina’s other stop seven scorers from a year ago, and some wonder how Williams will find playing time for everyone. The coach figures it will all work itself out on the floor.

“I think players determine who plays,” Williams said. “If I’m better than you are I’m going to show it during practice.”

Maybe the most debated subject in the offseason has been the point-guard position. Bobby Frasor ran the point last year, handling the job adequately enough in his freshman season. But Lawson comes in this season with talk of being the next Phil Ford. Williams has tried to put any end to the discussion that Frasor will lose his starting job at the point to a freshman.

“I think he is comfortable there,” Williams said of Frasor. “He’s a point guard. Everyone wants to say he can play shooting guard or something like that, but what the crap do you do with Wes (Miller)? What do you do with Marcus (Ginyard)? What do you do with some of those other guys? He’s a point guard, but more than anything he’s a basketball player. He had a heck of a year for us last year, period, but when you make him as a freshman he really had a heck of a year. Tywon and Quentin (Thomas) both are doing a good job in practice.”

Williams said outside of Hansbrough, the rest of the players will have to fight for a starting job. In the team’s final exhibition Saturday night, Hansbrough, Wright, Ellington, Frasor and Danny Green started, but six other players played double-digit minutes. And Terry didn’t play, but will probably get every opportunity to be a starter this season.

Last season Terry came in as an unknown and ended up landing on the All-ACC third team after scoring 14.3 points a game, second only to Hansbrough.

“I definitely feel like I accomplished a great deal last year, but I’m not satisfied with where I am right now,” Terry said. “I definitely feel like I have a whole lot more to prove.”

The season will start with Carolina among the favorites to win it all. How it will end will be determined over the next four and a half months. As for Williams, he isn’t worried about what anyone else says about his team. He knows what he wants out of this Carolina team.

Said Williams, “No one is going to put as much stress or pressure on me as I’m going to put on myself.”

- Patrick Hite

2006-11-11T09:33:00.000-05:00

Around ACC Nation

NC State escapes Wofford in Sidney Lowe's first game. Boston College won and they may have a replacement for Craig Smith. Georgia Tech's freshmen are as good as advertised. James Mays scored 13 points in his return to Clemson basketball. And Virginia Tech opened its season with an easy victory.

The Maryland women had a close one also to start things. Virginia Tech came out on the wrong end of a close game.

Maryland football will try to remain unbeaten at home when Miami comes to town today. The Hurricanes will be playing with heavy hearts in this one.

Lots of Maryland stuff here. Gary Williams and the school agreed to a contract extension.

Wake Forest has another big game this weekend, although Rob Daniels writes it's not a make-or-break game for the Deacons.

North Carolina advanced in women's soccer. There were other games also.

2006-11-11T09:03:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation weekend picks

Wes McElroy of ESPN 840 in Charlottesville, Va., joined Patrick and Chris to pick the weekend football games in the ACC.

See the standings here.

Listen to the show here.

Georgia Tech at North Carolina:
Wes - GT, Chris - GT, Patrick - GT

NC State at Clemson:
Wes - Clemson, Chris - Clemson, Patrick - Clemson

Kent State at Virginia Tech:
Wes - VT, Chris - VT, Patrick - VT

Miami at Maryland:
Wes - Maryland, Chris - Maryland, Patrick - Maryland

Duke at Boston College:
Wes - BC, Chris - BC, Patrick - BC

Wake Forest at Florida State:
Wes - Wake, Chris - FSU, Patrick - FSU

2006-11-10T22:28:00.000-05:00

ACC Nation was in Greensboro, NC, recently for the ACC’s Operation Basketball. Patrick and Chris got to talk with all 12 men’s basketball coaches, plus select players from each school, and over the next few days we’ll let you know what they found out. ACC Nation will preview each of the 12 men’s basketball programs, going in reverse order of last year’s final regular-season standings, with one preview a day as we approach the start of the season.

Wake Forest – Oct. 31

Georgia Tech – Nov. 1

Virginia Tech – Nov. 2

Clemson – Nov. 3

Miami – Nov. 4

Virginia – Nov. 5

Maryland – Nov. 6

Florida State – Nov. 7

North Carolina State – Nov. 8

Boston College
(2005-06 season: 11-5 ACC, 28-8 overall; lost in the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament to Villanova 60-59 (ot))

Jared Dudley isn’t shy. At the recent ACC Operation Basketball, the Boston College senior was asked what his goals were this season. There was no politically correct answer coming from Dudley.

“I’m trying to be the best player in this conference,” he said. “It might sound selfish, but if you play this game you want to be the best you can be.”

After coming off a season where he averaged 16.7 points and 6.6 rebounds a game, Dudley has already been named to the preseason All-ACC first team. Last year he teamed with Craig Smith to form one of the best frontcourts in the conference, but, with Smith gone this year, more pressure will fall on Dudley’s shoulders to carry the Eagles.

His coach, though, doesn’t expect more. Just the same.

“If he can give us the same type of play and numbers that he gave us last year I’d be very happy with that,” said Al Skinner, who emphasized more opponents will be focusing on stopping the 6-7 Dudley. “It’s up to everyone else to kind of step up and improve their roles some.”

Among those that may step up to help Dudley in the frontcourt are junior John Oates and freshman Shamari Spears, who both started in BC’s opener Friday night. Spears led the team with 23 points in an 86-47 win over New Hampshire.

Sean Williams and Akida McLain should also help up front, although both will be absent early in the season. Williams will miss two games and McLain nine games for academic reasons, according to the Boston Herald. Both players also missed games early last season because of off-court problems.

Outside of Dudley, the most important player may be sophomore point guard Tyrese Rice. Last year, backing up Louis Hinnant, Rice scored 9.3 points a game while dishing out 91 assists. But Hinnant is gone and Rice will take over the point on a full-time basis this season.

“If he doesn’t play well we won’t be very good,” Skinner said of Rice, a member of the ACC’s all-rookie team last season. “It’s just that simple. Last year he was able to play when he played well and when he didn’t he was able to sit down. He won’t have that this year.”

In its first trip around the ACC, Boston College finished third in the regular-season last year and played for the conference title where the Eagles lost to Duke in the championship of the ACC Tournament.

But Skinner is cautious to give too much credit for last year’s success to his team’s move from the Big East to the ACC. BC has had 20 wins or more every year except once since 2000 and, the year before entering the ACC, the Eagles started the season 20-0. They’ve also advanced to the NCAA Tournament the past three years.

“There’s no question that the amount of exposure we receive in the ACC obviously helps, because the television package is so strong and the amount of coverage it receives helps,” Skinner said. “But at the end of the day I like to believe it’s because we have been competitive and we have been pretty successful over the last few years.”

This year should be no exception.

- Patrick Hite

2006-11-10T17:29:00.000-05:00

Fire marshal right to push back Crazies
Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski is upset at a ruling from fire marshals that will push the Cameron Crazies back from their usual perch essentially atop press row.
I actually agree with the response from Coach K - basically "why wasn't this done 50 years ago?"
So the policy at Cameron Indoor Stadium allowing students to stand in the floor space behind press row dates that far back, eh?
I think Coach K is right - something should have been done about this 50 years ago.
I know, I know - that isn't what he was saying.
"It's like, 'Did we do something wrong?' " Krzyzewski said in addressing the issue with the media earlier this week.
"And if that is the case, then how might we be able to solve it without hurting the students? They're on the team, too. They should be as close to the court as possible."
Er ... maybe not there, K-Man.
I'm reminded as I write this of a classic picture in Sports Illustrated from a year or two ago that depicted a Tennessee women's player trying to inbound the ball from the sideline at Cameron against a backdrop of Crazies essentially physically surrounding her and making it near-impossible for her to pivot her body.
"They're on the team, too. They should be as close to the court as possible."
I'm sorry - I'm all for fans cheering and chanting and jumping up and down and all the rest. But this kind of fan presence has no place in sports - no matter what Krzyzewski or his running buddy Dick Vitale might say.
- Chris Graham

2006-11-10T17:27:00.000-05:00

It's a little early for live games, ain't it?
Is it just me - or are they starting the college-basketball season way, way too early these days?
The season has already tipped off for many schools - Maryland, for instance, opened on Tuesday night, Nov. 7, a little more than three weeks after the start of preseason practice and almost two whole months before the heart of the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule.
You know what this means, of course - yep, you're right there with me, some sloppy early-season basketball.
I was in for some of that in person last weekend at the new John Paul Jones Arena, where Virginia struggled to hold back a game Division III Augusta State team in an exhibition in which the Cavs committed a ghastly 24 turnovers, including six on their first seven possessions.
UVa. opens this weekend with 10th-ranked Arizona, a team that is the focus of some talk regarding its fitness for a Final Four run in March.
Both teams will be under the gun to perform in the debut of the new $130 million JPJ - but you have to wonder if we'll see anything resembling the best out of either team, given that they will have had all of four weeks to prepare.
It hasn't been that long since Thanksgiving Week was the unofficial commencement of the college-hoops season - and even then, with five or six weeks of practice under their belts, many teams looked ragged as they played their way into game shape.
I'm all for the powers-that-be making more money - come on, you know that's what this is all about, don't you? If it involves college sports, it's always about the money.
That said, I don't know, how about playing more games in December and January - when all but a few schools have long semester breaks that could be filled with exciting intersectional matchups like Virginia-Arizona and others?
Sorry, I knew the answer to that question before I posed it - it's because it makes sense. And if it involves the NCAA, it's never about making sense.
- Chris Graham

2006-11-10T17:25:00.000-05:00

Best backcourts in the ACC at UVa., Tech
When you've been together as long as Jamon Gordon and Zabian Dowdell have been together, you tend to get to know even the little things better than you would ever expect.
"Being together four years, you learn almost everything about each other," said Dowdell, a senior and backcourtmate of Gordon who led Virginia Tech in scoring in 2005-2006 with 15.3 points per game.
"It always helps when you know what to expect out of your counterpart. I never have to worry about Jamon going into a game. I know if I make a mistake, he's going to be there to clean it up," Dowdell told "ACC Nation" at last month's ACC Operation Basketball in Greensboro, N.C.
The senior tandem at Tech might just be the best starting backcourt in the Atlantic Coast Conference this coming season. Of course, it could also be that they are not even the best backcourt in their own home state.
"This is going on our third year together. And so we've been through ups and downs together. The chemistry is just great - like, when I penetrate, and he moves to a certain spot, I always know where he is, or when he penetrates, I move to a certain spot, we both pretty much know the other is on the court at all times," said Virginia guard Sean Singletary, talking about backcourtmate J.R. Reynolds, who, like Singletary, averaged 17-plus points a game for the Cavaliers in 2005-2006.
Singletary earned first-team all-conference honors for his efforts. Reynolds was third-team All-ACC.
"I think he's the best player in our league - because he can shoot the ball so well, he's a great defender," Singletary told "ACC Nation."
"I really love playing with J.R. - because the chemistry is great. Just from doing drills, I can just see on the court things happening, plays happening because we've done so much together," Singletary said.
"It's great not feeling like I'm on an island out there - knowing somebody else is with me," Singletary said.
"He makes my job a lot easier," Reynolds told "ACC Nation," returning the compliments from Singletary. "He's a great guy - in practice, he's somebody who I can go to battle with any day, any time. When Coach asks us something, wants somebody to lead, I know either me or him is going to step up and lead."We feed off each other," Reynolds said. "If he penetrates, he knows where I'm going to be on the court, and if I penetrate, I know where he's going to be on the court.
"I see everybody feeding off of us. The team looks up to us - so we've got to produce," Reynolds said.
While Reynolds and Singletary have similar styles and similar numbers, Dowdell and Gordon are more complementary - with Dowdell offering the scoring touch and Gordon offering his talents as an occasional scorer (11.4 points per game in 2005-2006), gritty rebounder (6.0 per game, second on the team) and in distributing the ball (a team-high 4.4 assists per game).
"We just fit so good together - like if I get beat, I know he's going to be there. If we need a big shot, I know he's going to take it. It would be hard for me to play without him. I couldn't play with another guard in the ACC," Gordon told "ACC Nation."
- Chris Graham