If you asked me at the beginning of the year, I'd say it was Carolina and then everyone else. The league has been strong this year, so I still say anyone can win it if you have strong guard play. I still say it's Carolina, but if I had to pick an upset, I like Clemson, F$U, and Wake. It all depends on how it's called how I stack it up.
Well Wake certainly could win it...they have a mighty large talent pool and superior guard play. Smith is an ace in the hole off the bench for them to boot that, combined with the big bodies they can put in the paint could take it all and go deep into the NCAA too IMO. Gaudio is also an impressive coach it appears...
Due to the start of Spring Break and our travel schedule, I'll miss all but the championship game (and I rarely ever bother to watch a recorded game), and I have to say that I'm really disappointed at having to miss what I expect to be some great basketball games. The conference has finally returned to a level of overall greatness not seen since pre-expansion.
Although Carolina and Duke have been the most consistent teams, I actually think that might be their achilles' heel this time of year. I expect several upsets (if you can call them that).
I'll be checking in for updates and analysis.
There are 4 or 5 teams capable of winning it. It should be a great tournament. Carolina is talented,deep, and playing well. It would be tough to bet against them.
BTW, there is more depth that ever before in the laddies field also. They should be fun to watch also, with the Terps the favorites.
UVa. will SHOCK THE WORLD!
(03-09-2009 02:35 PM)TimTerpT Wrote: [ -> ]Carolina is talented,deep, and playing well.
Well, I agree the Heels are talented.
Don I agree and not just because of my old gold and black glasses. This Wake team is scary good when they turn up the effort and intensity. A healthy Ish Smith and a Chas McFarland who is actually on the court in the 2nd half pays dividends. Johnson has become consistent and Aminu is playing like a soph now. Teague is in a mini-slump but has provided a couple of sparks in the past two games.
Still, Carolina has so much talent to go with their experience, I'd put my money on them.
Much like the regular season, this will be the Carolina show. They are head and shoulders above everybody in this conference. They're obviously not invincible but...yeah I don't see it happening for anybody else this year.
I would like a third shot at Wake on Friday. Problem is...Maryland gets a third shot at us on Thursday.
*sigh*
(03-09-2009 02:44 PM)WnB Wrote: [ -> ]Don I agree and not just because of my old gold and black glasses. This Wake team is scary good when they turn up the effort and intensity. A healthy Ish Smith and a Chas McFarland who is actually on the court in the 2nd half pays dividends. Johnson has become consistent and Aminu is playing like a soph now. Teague is in a mini-slump but has provided a couple of sparks in the past two games.
Also, I thought Woods played well when McFarland was out. That certainly will not hurt.
There are several teams that could win it easily and a couple that could surprise everyone. UNC lacks consistency, but is pretty darned good most of the time. Wake matches up well with them, however. UNC's biggest obstacle is a case of Ty Toe.
Ty toe is exactly right. The way i see it, if UNC plays as well as they can, they won't be beaten, but Ty Lawson is the key. If he plays aggressive as he has shown the penchant to do of late, he's unguardable. He can beat people off the dribble at will and his rebounding is a huge plus, although you rarely hear it mentioned.
Clemson scares me more than anyone simply because of their athleticism and pressure defense. And they're due.
Yeah. This will be my 47th ACC tourney. I have been watching since I was 8 years old. The one thought I have is that you can't have any thoughts.
UNC or Duke (as have become Kings on the Hill) are certainly favored. BUT, that assures nothing. That's why they tip it off.
Let all 12 teams have at it
Sincerely,
ACC Snob
If UNC decides to win it, no one can beat them.
This is not open to argument.
However, if they have one of their lapses where they seem to decide defense is something only needed in de yard, they could be upset.
Strangely, I feel that if that happens and UNC loses the ACC title it greatly increases the likelihood of them winning the NCAA title.
Just MHO, FWIW.
I can see how not playing but one game in the tournament could let them rest up and let Ty's toe heal, thereby improving their chances in the NCAA.
It's hard to keep the focus for a stretch of that many games if you include the ACC tournament. A stretch like the NCAA"s is doable.
We don't play defense well enough to be prohibitive favorites, but somebody will have to play awfully well to beat us.
To tell the truth, although I will get really angry if we play badly and lose, it may well be best for our NCAA tourney chances if we'd lose in the first or second round of the ACC tournament. Lawson needs the rest and playing a bunch of ACC tourney games just increases the risk of injury, without much to be gained, seeding wise.
(03-09-2009 09:55 PM)WolfpackOdyssey Wrote: [ -> ]If UNC decides to win it, no one can beat them.
This is not open to argument.
Yes it is up for argument. Wake is every bit as talented, big, athletic and deep as we are, and moreso in some areas, and both dook and Free Shoes could beat us if we play well but they play REALLY well.