tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-210973862024-03-07T00:19:27.064-08:00Blue Devil HoopsCovering Duke, the ACC, and ... well ... Duke and the ACC.Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-48516104391944786632009-03-31T22:32:00.000-07:002009-03-31T23:08:42.006-07:00Villanova 77, Duke 54<span style="font-size:85%;">There's not a whole lot to say when you shoot 27% for a game. You tip your hat to the other team for a good defensive performance (and it was a good defensive performance) and you wonder where the heck your shot went for 40 minutes. Duke shot 16-60. 16-60. 5-27 from downtown and 11-33 from 2. Villanova turned Duke into an exclusively jump-shooting team, and the jump shot just wasn't there. On the season, Duke got roughly 35% of their attempts as layups, dunks, or tip-ins. Against Villanova, that number was just 15/60, 25%. When you don't give yourselves good looks from inside, it's very difficult to score well. It also makes it more difficult to pick up easy second chance points. Shots from the paint put pressure on the defense, and often cause defenders to be out of place as they rotate, opening opportunities on the glass. While Duke was shooting jumpers from nowhere near the lane, Villanova was closing it off to offensive rebounding, gathering 36 of 44 Duke misses - better than 80%. Rebounding has hurt us in tournaments past, but usually on the defensive end. Thursday, Duke put up its single worst offensive rebounding performance on the year.<br /><br />Villanova, by contrast, figured things out at the start of the second half and got the ball inside on Duke. Over the first 8 minutes, as they stretched the lead from 1 to 16, Villanova's attempts look like this: layup, jumper, layup, dunk, layup, layup, tip-in, layup, layup, three, layup, layup, jumper (paint). Of their first 13 second-half attempts from the field, 11 came in the paint. The Wildcats made 10 of those 13 shots, which is not terribly surprising when you get close looks at the hoop.<br /><br />Watching the game (or at least the first ~30 minutes, until CBS put on the mercy rule in Washington State and switched to Missouri-Memphis), I actually thought Duke's offense played well for the first 15 minutes, despite not scoring. The offense was running smoothly (for the most part) and the Devils were getting exactly the looks they wanted to get - the shots just weren't falling. I sounded like a broken record, repeatedly saying after a miss "that's ok, that's a great look, it was exactly the kind of shot the play was designed to produce," and I wasn't just being delusional. The problem was, Villanova's defense got wise to what we were doing and began to shut it down, and Duke never adjusted. In the second half (again, what I saw of it) there was very little good running of the offense, and quite a lot of broken plays, late-shot-clock desperation shots, contested attempts, etc.<br /><br />Here's the HD box. It is, quite simply, a blood bath. Henderson's offensive rating is <span style="font-style: italic;">sub-50</span> on a high usage night, and Scheyer's wasn't much better. There's not much spread in the plus/minus - we got whipped in the second half regardless of who was on the court.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrKXLt3ogVMnbQ&output=html&gid=36&single=true&widget=true" width="700" frameborder="0" height="325"></iframe><br /><br />And, as a bonus, here's the plus/minus from Villanova. Again, not much spread - Villanova outscored Duke regardless of who was on the court.<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: center;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Reynolds</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">68</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Redding</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">45</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Cunningham</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">61</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Anderson</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">45</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Stokes</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">39</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Clark</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Fisher</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pena</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Colenda</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tchuisi</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">51</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">77</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">54</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So that's it for the season; however, unlike in past years, I'm not going to go into complete hibernation over the off-season. I'll pop back in occasionally for some post-mortems on this season (I was intrigued by the suggestion to compare this season to last season, and may do so in some detail) and I'm also in the process of going back in time and compiling data from Duke seasons past to better be able to place future individual and team performances in their historical contexts.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-44047371020923714552009-03-26T08:08:00.000-07:002009-03-26T08:38:14.821-07:00Villanova Preview<span style="font-size:85%;">Duke and Villanova roll into Boston as two very evenly matched teams. The Wildcats feature a collection of talented guards who can slash and score, an undersized but talented and versatile big man, and the best pair of Coreys since Feldman/Haim. Villanova is a very strong offensive team, and has lost just one game all season (to UConn) where their offensive rating is +100. However, they've been a little lax on defense for much of the year, resulting in a healthy number of shootouts. 10 of their last 12 Big East opponents, including Rutgers and Depaul, scored over a point per possession against Villanova. Like Duke, actually, this is a team whose defense was dominant in the early part of the season but faded down the stretch. Like Duke, they feel like the regained some defensive swagger last weekend (holding UCLA, the Pac-10's most potent offense, to 69 points in 73 possessions).<br /><br />Nova's game plan is pretty predictable. They like to spread the floor and let Fisher and Reynolds (and to a lesser extent, Redding) create off the bounce. They excel at getting to the line (where they shoot almost 75% as a team), and they share the ball well also. The team focuses more inside than outside, but Reynolds and Stokes (and to a lesser extent, Fisher) can light it up from downtown if left alone. Finally, their bigs are all well-trained to attack the glass. Cunningham, Anderson, Pena, and Clark are all in the top 500 nationally in offensive rebound percentage, and for a small team, the Wildcats rank a very respectable 53rd.<br /><br />On defense, Villanova plays an aggressive man-to-man, creating a healthy number of steals (Reynolds, Fisher, and Anderson are in the top 500 in steal rate) although not a ton of turnovers aside from that. They've been somewhat generous from the three point stripe this season, and have a tendency to be foul prone - opponents post a 37.6 free throw rate, which is 202nd in the country. Finally, teams have a tendency to pass the ball well against them - over 61% of made baskets against Villanova come off of assists, ranking Villanova 328th in the country in denying assisted baskets.<br /><br />To me, Duke needs to do two things to win this game - value the ball, and value possessions. Valuing the ball: The Devils have been very difficult to turn over since Scheyer took the point, and even their 17th ranking is misleadingly low. Seven of the past ten games they've turned it over fewer than once every six possessions. At the other end of the court, Duke's forced six of the past opponents to cough the ball up at least once every five possessions (four have been once every four). If that rate holds tonight, Duke will effectively give itself four-six extra opportunities to score.<br /><br />Valuing possessions: Like valuing the ball, this has an offensive and defensive component. Offensively, Duke needs to avoid giving Villanova freebies - the possessions where Henderson takes an 18-footer 10 seconds into the shot clock before the offense gets set, where Thomas or Zoubek set moving screens, where Singler fumbles the ball out of bounds, etc. Instead, they need to play each possession on offense with purpose - get to the paint, draw the defense, create open looks off of screens, get layups, get open threes, and get fouled. Duke needs to be the aggressor when it has the ball, and not let Villanova's defense force them into jump shots. Complacency has been a problem for Duke on offense this year; if they get complacent tonight, their season will end. Defensively, Duke needs to end possessions. This team has had a habit of missing box out assignments and not gripping rebounds with strength. Defensive rebounding is the team's single biggest weakness, and 8 of the last 13 opponents have been able to get 40% or more of their misses back for second chances. Villanova will attack the offensive glass, and may do so with extra vigor against a Duke team that's weak in ending possessions. Tonight, Duke needs a strong defensive rebounding performance, and it needs to be done as a team. When the helpside defense rotates and the shot goes up, people just need to throw a body on any blue jersey they can to box out.<br /><br />Distilled to a numbers point of view, if Duke is +4 or better in turnover margin and Villanova is getting 1/3 or less of their offensive rebounds, the Devils should be in a position to win.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-58969046916628486502009-03-24T22:36:00.000-07:002009-03-24T23:26:34.905-07:00For ACC, Nothing Finer than Duke (well, and Carolina)<span style="font-size:85%;">Seven became two pretty quickly for the ACC, which was a definite surprise, but what's not surprising is that the league's two heavyweights are playing into the second weekend. For Duke, welcome back! The Sweet 16 hasn't seemed the same without you these past couple years. Mentally, getting out of the first weekend was big for this team, which has a grand total of 37 second-weekend minutes on the roster (that would be Greg Paulus 36, Dave McClure 1). But the Sweet 16 has proven to be its own road block for Coach K and the Devils recently - he's lost 5 of his last 7.<br /><br />Duke's game against Texas was an extremely solid win, featuring some clutch plays down the stretch from almost everyone on the team - Singler's tip, Scheyer's absolutely ridiculous backhanded save, Williams chasing the ball down and getting foul (as an aside, really, really stupid foul on Gary Johnson - he had position, and reaching out for a shove all alone in the middle of the floor pretty much never goes uncalled), Smith's offensive rebound, Henderson's clutch free throws, McClure's work to get a hand on the missed free throw and create a loose ball situation, etc. And finally this season some bounces went Duke's way - after almost constantly seeing the ball fall the right way for the opponents in every key scenario down the stretch, Duke got to watch Damion James' three go alllllllllmost all the way down, only to rim out.<br /><br />Jon Scheyer played a superb defensive game on AJ Abrams. Yes, Abrams had 17 to lead Texas. But he shot under 40% and had to work <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely</span> hard to even get the ball in his hands. By game's end, he was passing up reasonable looks for difficult passes - a sure sign of fatigue. I've said before that I think Scheyer is the best off-the-ball perimeter defender I can recall, and Saturday's game did nothing but validate that notion.<br /><br />Of course, the consequence of siccing one guy on Abrams and telling him never to leave is that the rest of the Horns got to open up the floor and play four on four. Rotation and help defense becomes a lot harder when you take one of your defenders out of the picture, and Varez Ward (yes, Varez Ward) was able to take advantage for Texas.<br /><br />On Duke's end of the court, this was another game where Gerald Henderson tried to do a little too much. He took nearly 50% of Duke's shots when he was in the game, and often times the ball went to him and never left. In some cases, this was a good thing - he had a stretch in the second half where he drove and attacked, and he got either layups or free throws (or both). But he also settled for long jumpers early in the shot clock and out of the flow of the offense. Most of those just aren't good shots, regardless of whether they go in. Singler had an all-around great game - he continued his hot shooting from three, finished shots inside, and grabbed four offensive boards (none bigger than the final tip). And Nolan Smith continued his reemergence, scoring 11 very efficient points and posting huge numbers in the +/- column.<br /><br />All in all, this team is starting to look like it did back in November and December. It has four scorers who can get points in a variety of ways, it plays intense defense that forces turnovers, and it manages to come up with clutch plays when needed. Here's the HD Box from the Texas game:<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='350' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrL4EuC6TsSDKw&output=html&gid=35&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /><br />And also, here's the Texas +/-. A comment on Dexter Pittman's numbers. As you can see, all his + came in the second half. He was on the court for three stretches - an early 12-8 Texas run, a brief 2-0 stint, and a similarly brief 6-1 push. His second half numbers, though, were not good - one layup, two missed free throws, four defensive rebounds, two fouls, and a turnover (also, although not reflected below, he played two more offensive possessions than defensive ones, which should tend to increase your +). I chalk this one up to happenstance more than a reflection of his impact, in part because of his first half numbers. When he played well (and played more minutes), he only helped Texas to a draw. When he played more poorly (and fewer minutes) the team managed to outscore Duke 20-9. The two wouldn't necessarily seem to correlate. Again, I think this is a lesson in the merits of these numbers for such small sample sizes (particularly with short substitution patterns - when you're only on court for 2 (the 2-0 run) or 3 (the 6-1 run) possessions at a time, there's a lot of noise and random chance involved).<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pittman</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">45</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mason</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Chapman</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Balbay</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">55</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">60</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Abrams</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">69</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">74</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ward</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Johnson</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">James</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">61</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">67</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Atchley</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">69</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">74</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Next, for Carolina, Tywon Lawson (toe) is back and looks to be largely unaffected by the injury. Lawson (toe) (what? this is how his name appears every 30 seconds or so on the ESPN ticker) again played a key role for Carolina down the stretch as the Heels sprinted away from LSU. Lawson (toe) reentered a tie game with 8:11 remaining. Carolina went on a 19-4 run over the next six minutes during which he scored 9 points, dropped 2 assists, and picked up 2 key steals (and on one of the three scoring possessions where he didn't get a bucket or assist, he got an offensive rebound that kept a possession alive, ultimately ending in a Green 3). Lawson (toe) has a great knack for understanding when he needs to stop being a facilitator and start controlling a game - it's a quailty all great point guards have, and one that will serve him well in the NBA.<br /><br />Here's the +/- from the Heels' game against the Tigers. Notice Ed Davis at the top (and, correspondingly, Deon Thompson at the bottom). Davis has out-plussed Thompson in many games recently and is starting to get a greater share of the second-half minutes. His offensive game still lacks polish, but he's going to be a very, very good big man for them next season.<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davis</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">52</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellington</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">82</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">67</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Lawson</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">68</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">55</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Green</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">69</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">57</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hansbrough</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">72</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">63</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Zeller</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Frasor</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Drew</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">84</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">70</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-20230236265875943222009-03-21T10:44:00.000-07:002009-03-21T12:04:20.822-07:00First Round Wrap-up<span style="font-size:85%;">The last three days have not been good for the ACC. 6 of the 9 postseason teams lost, 4 by double digits (one on their home court). Wake Forest and Boston College got completely outclassed by two teams that wouldn't have been in the Big Dance but for winning their conference tournaments (although I still think that regardless of their respective records, USC is a better basketball team than BC on any given day - that win was not an upset). And Terrence Oglesby threw a stupid (and costly) elbow that helped cement Clemson's latest first round exit.<br /><br />So now it's down to the old guard in the conference to do some work on behalf of the ACC. Let's start with UNC. The Heels had no trouble with Radford, which was not surprising, although that they won with defense more than offense may have been. The Heels didn't shoot particularly well, and didn't get to the line very much (relatively), but completely shut down Radford's shooting, allowing just 22 makes on 80 shots. About the only time Artsiom Parakhouski got going was against Zeller, as you can see from the +/- below (look allllll the way down at the bottom):<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: center;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellington</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">53</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">90</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">50</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Green</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">79</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hansbrough</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">42</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">59</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davis</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">54</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Frasor</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">62</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Drew</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Copeland</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Watts</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tanner</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Moody</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Wooten</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Zeller</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">53</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">101</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Now, they get a much more difficult opponent in LSU. Handling Marcus Thornton will be a challenge, and in Chris Johnson, the Tigers put out an athletic shot-blocking presence who could give Hansbrough trouble. LSU plays very good field goal defense, and rebounds well, both things that will be heavily tested by Carolina. Now that the 1/16 game is out of the way, UNC's in the territory where any team can beat them, and any absence by Lawson will actually hurt.<br /><br />Maryland took Cal out of the game they wanted to play and controlled the second half. They avoided turnovers, shot well (for the Terps), and continued to attack the glass (they've gotten 46% of their own misses in the last 4 games). Vasquez turned in a very strong 27-point performance, and everyone but Mosley put in good efficient contributions on offense.<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: center;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: center;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Neal</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">77</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">60</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Vasquez</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">50</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">84</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">68</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hayes</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">47</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bowie</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">50</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">75</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Milbourne</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">50</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mosley</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Gregory</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">39</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tucker</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">50</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">84</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">71</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Memphis, though, is a bad matchup for them. Maryland is going to have a very, very difficult time putting points on the board against the Tiger defense that has been completely shutting people down (Matadors excepted). Dozier and Taggart could have big days against a small Maryland front line, and Tyreke Evans is going to get into the land all day long.<br /><br />Duke came out and looked like a 2-seed. They dominated the matchup with Binghamton, turning them over with frequency and dominating the smaller Bearcats on the glass (17 of 31 offensive, 21 of 27 defensive). - The Bearcats hit shots - nearly a .600 efg% - but did really nothing else. Duke spread the offense around quite well, with 6 guys in double figures, assists on 21 of 28 field goals, and only 1 guy (Henderson) playing more than 30 minutes. Jon Scheyer continued his run of ridiculously efficient performances (15 points on 9 shots, 4 assists, and 6-6 from the line), and Nolan looked sharp attacking the basket. Here's the HD Box from the Binghamton game - as you'll see, the final margin (24) made it look closer than it was, as the end of the bench got outscored by 6 in garbage time.<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='350' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrJTBnmO7LBoCg&output=html&gid=34&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /><br />Now comes a matchup with Texas, the only 7-seed to advance out of the first round (and they did so comfortably). The 'Horns have a dangerous inside/outside combo in AJ Abrams (joining PJ Tucker, TJ Ford, and DJ Augustin in the Texas all-initial hall of fame) and Dexter Pittman. On the season, Texas was a terrible shooting team - 202nd in the country in efg% - but relentlessly attacked the offensive glass, gathering almost 40% of their misses. Duke will have to force misses <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> box out. Aside from Abrams, there's no one dangerous from 3, and they get a very small percentage of their points from beyond the arc. The 11 threes they hit on Thursday was very much an aberration. On defense, Texas hangs their hat on stopping shots - teams shoot just .458 efg% against them, and they block a lot of shots - but the rest of their defense is below average. Still, Texas has the talent to play like a top-10 team, and can be a very dangerous opponent (particularly with an arena full of Heels fans egging them on).<br /><br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-30945930487329460632009-03-18T22:01:00.000-07:002009-03-18T23:30:55.485-07:00Binghamton Preview and ACC Thursday Games<span style="font-size:85%;">Every Duke fan with a functioning long-term memory is having nervous Belmont flashbacks right about now. The facial similarities are there - small school, lots of little guards, name starts with B, etc. I'm here to assuage some of those fears. Here are some key difference. First, Belmont was a very dangerous offensive team. They shot and passed the ball extremely well, and had three players - Hare, Dansby, and Dotson - with top 300 offensive ratings. They ran a spread-and-back-cut system that has historically given Duke problems. Binghamton, on the other hand, is one of the 5 worst offensive teams in the tourney and doesn't really have a single efficient, medium- or high-usage player. They don't shoot the ball well, and really don't pass it well. Mayben and Rivera mostly try to create for themselves - this is a team that can get bogged down in the half court. Second, Belmont had some size to keep Duke honest. 6'8" Mathew Dotson started and played 22 minutes and 6'9" Keaton Belcher played another 11. That's 33 minutes of at least one guy with size. Binghamton, on the other hand, starts no one over 6'6" and their two tall players got about 30 minutes total in the three AEC tournament games. Belmont was a very adequate rebounding team - Binghamton is poor, particularly on the defensive end. Third, Belmont had experience against decent teams and in the NCAAs. They played 3 top-100 squads in 2007-08 - Cincinnati, Alabama, and Xavier - and won 2 of the 3 (Xavier, on the other hand, destroyed them). They also had made the tourney the two years before, losing to Georgetown by 25 and UCLA by 34, but getting the novelty nerves out of the way. Binghamton has never been here before, and played a ridiculously easy schedule. Their non-conference games were against Masnfield (non-DI), Quinnipiac, Central Connecticut, George Washington, Utah Valley (twice), Rutgers, Bucknell, Manhattan, Rider, Tulane, and Marist. Their toughest opponent all year was Vermont. Unlike Belmont, which was exposed to high-talent teams before and during that season, Binghamton hasn't seen anything close to what Duke will roll out.<br /><br />Everything about this matchup looks like a comfortable Duke win. Binghamton apparently runs a press, which has given Duke trouble this year. But if they can't turn the Devils over, they'll be in for a long night. Buckets will be difficult to come by, and they shouldn't get many second chances. Binghamton is going to be at a serious size disadvantage. Their starting lineup runs 5'11", 6'2", 6'3", 6'4", and 6'6" - every starter for Duke is 6'4" or better. Personally, even though Binghamton is a pressing team and filled with quick guards, I think Duke should try to aggressively press them early, force turnovers, and run them out of the building. I would also be surprised if Duke shoots a ton of threes - I think they'll exploit Singler's, Henderson's and Scheyer's size advantages and really attack the rim. Obviously every NCAA game creates the risk of a loss, but I can't help but think that this is a very good matchup for Duke.<br /><br />I feel the same way about UNC's matchup with Radford, with or without Ty Lawson. The Highlanders have a very capable big man in Artsiom Parakhouski. He's been a superb rebounder - top 50 nationally both on offense and defense - he blocks shots, gets to the line, shoots well from the field, and is not turnover prone. He killed VMI in the Big South championship game. Of course, his ability to stay out of foul trouble against Hansbrough is uncertain - he's been relatively immune to fouls, but this assignment is very different. Aside from Parakhouski, though, this team is not good on offense. They trot out no less than five players who don't produce a point per possession on offense, including Amir Johnson, who leads the team in minutes. Like Binghamton, Radford just doesn't have the profile of a typical low-seed Cinderella. They'll try to control pace, and if they do, they might keep the final margin under 20. But there's just no realistic possibility of a win, or even a game that's interesting in the last 5-10 minutes.<br /><br />Kansas City is ACC country tomorrow, as both Clemson and Maryland have their opening matchups there. Maryland plays first, drawing the Cal Bears. This is actually a reasonably favorable draw for the Terps. Cal's not a particularly big team - Jamal Boykin, of all people, gets the most minutes of anyone 6'8" or above (by the way, if he's 6'8", he's grown since his transfer). Cal's also not particularly adept at forcing turnovers, and they don't block shots. In general, the Bears don't play good defense. That said, their offense is very dangerous - 12th in the country in efficiency, and the best three-point shooting team in the nation (although they don't take full advantage of that skill, shooting just 26% of their attempts from downtown, 311th in the nation). Randle, Christopher, and Robertson are all deadly from outside. Vasquez will need to have a good game for Maryland to win, but Cal should give him every opportunity to do so. I can easily see him putting the Terps on his back and carrying them into the second round.<br /><br />Clemson takes the court next, in what may be the biggest contrast in styles in the first round. Clemson presses the full court, seeks to push pace and force turnovers, while Michigan controls pace, falls back in the 1-3-1 zone and shoots a lot of threes. The Wolverines have been extremely good this season at avoiding turnovers - 16th best in the country and 9th best in the tournament. What they're not, however, is a particularly strong defensive team. The only thing they do well is avoid fouls - teams shoot well, rebound well, and don't commit turnovers against Michigan. Rivers and Oglesby are going to get to shoot a lot of threes tomorrow, and KC will be charged with locking up Manny Harris. Ultimately, I think this matchup falls in Clemson's favor - Booker and Rivers can neutralize Harris and Sims (Michigan's best players), and the Tigers can generate enough turnovers to get free points. In what's likely to be a low pace game, those free points will loom larger.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ACC in the NIT</span><br /><br />Virginia Tech and Duquesne played one heck of a game. Double overtime, with all 5 Hokie starters playing over 40 minutes. AD Vassallo, Jeff Allen, and JT Thompson led the way, although none had the game Aaron Jackson had. Setting a career high in the final game of your career is one heck of a way to go out. For the Hokies, it was a great time to have their best offensive game of the season, including 31-47 on two point shots, a .648 efg%, 1.40 PPWS, and turnovers on just 1 of every 8 possessions. The Hokies will host breakfast with the Bears next - 11am local Saturday morning against Baylor.<br /><br />Miami made it a clean sweep for the two ACC teams in the NIT, winning rather comfortably at Providence. Jack McClinton had a fantastic game, knocking down 7-14 from downtown. Lance Hurdle and James Dews played some nice complimentary roles, but this was was really all about Jack. Like Mills on St. Mary's, he has the capability of carrying his team to the Garden without much help. The journey continues this weekend at Florida.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-43893258131057464222009-03-16T23:07:00.000-07:002009-03-17T00:09:11.906-07:00Catching Up with the ACC Champs<span style="font-size:85%;">It came to my attention last week that I neglected to do any write-up, post any stats, etc. on the last Duke-UNC game. I'll start by remedying that. Jon Scheyer had the best game of any Duke player since JJ Redick. His efficiency was quite simply ridiculous - 24 points on 7 shots from the floor, plus 5 assists without a turnover. He became the latest in a long line of ACC point guards this season to absolutely torch the Heels (as an aside, I had to chuckle when Jimmy Dykes went on (and on, and on) during the UNC-VT game about how much Carolina missed Lawson defensively. Bobby Frasor is a far superior defender to Lawson, and he did a nice job holding Delaney in check. If forced to choose, I might even favor Larry Drew's defense over Ty's).<br /><br />Once again, Duke was in this game until the bitter end. They had another killer play where Singler hit the end line on a rebound - Duke would have had the ball down four with a chance to make it a one possession game, and instead UNC converted three points and essentially made the final outcome academic. Carolina basically won the game in the first 7:16 of the second half. After Elliot Williams hit a jumper to extend the halftime lead to three, Carolina went on a 17-7 run to take a 55-48 lead. For the rest of the game, Duke never had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead - they cut it to two twice, and Carolina immediately responded with scores. In the end, the analysis for this one was simple (Clark Kellogg, to his credit, nailed it) - Carolina had Ty Lawson, and we didn't. After Duke cut it to 65-63, Lawson scored or assisted on all of the next 13 Tar Heel points (basically everything they got for the rest of the game except Hansbrough's final FT).<br /><br />Even though it was a loss, there was a lot for Duke to be optimistic about. They came in with a good game plan, and slowed Lawson down much better than in the first game. On offense, they largely got exactly what they wanted - Duke had some very, very good looks at the hoop that didn't go down; at the very least, they dictated what would happen on that end of the court much more than Carolina did.<br /><br />Here's the HD box from that game. Again, this one illustrates the limited value +/- has when you're talking about players who don't sit much - Scheyer sat for 2 possessions that we won 2-0, which ended up giving him a team low -10. I think it goes without saying that he was not Duke's least valuable cog.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrLS8qeS5pgQdg&output=html&gid=30&single=true&widget=true" width="700" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe><br /><br />And, Carolina's plus/minus for the game.<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 387px; height: 208px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: left;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellington</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">68</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">55</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Lawson</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">72</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">60</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">60</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hansbrough</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Green</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">61</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davis</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Frasor</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Zeller</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Copeland</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Drew</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">39</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">79</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">71</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />On to the ACCT. The Maryland game has already gotten coverage, but the BC box wasn't up in time for me to run the numbers before Day 2 started. Biko Paris had the game of his life against the Devils, hitting all 5 of his shots from the field and ending up with 15 (at least a season high). His production was extremely valuable to the Eagles - they were <span style="font-style: italic;">+17!</span> when he was in the game. Those numbers, of course, reflect the "runs" nature of the game. Duke started out 11-2 and 17-11. BC then finished the half on an 18-5 run. Duke responded to open the second half with a 32-17 push, and then BC closed out with a 19-12 finish. Paris was on the court for every part of BC's runs and very little of Duke's. That's how you end up +17.<br /><br />For the Devils, Kyle Singler carried the day - 26 points on 15 shots plus 9 rebounds (4 offensive). Henderson struggled with silly fouls early, but came in to hit the go ahead shot (and ultimately the game winner) down the stretch (side note - we should really post him up more, particularly when he has a size advantage). It was a real survive-and-advance game for Duke. I don't know what it is about BC this year - both on paper and to the eye during the game, they don't look that good. But they beat UNC, beat Duke, and took the Devils right down to the wire the second time around. Here's the HD Box:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrKQyz5Lhm4hbA&output=html&gid=31&single=true&widget=true" width="700" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe><br /><br />And, BC's plus/minus:<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: left;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Paris</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Roche</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Rice</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">63</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dunn</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Sanders</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Southern</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Trapani</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">54</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">62</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Jackson</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-10</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Raji</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-12</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-14</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">66</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Finally, the ACC title game was Duke at almost its very best. They played excellent defense in the first half (and most of the second half too, really), holding FSU to just 2 field goals in the half's last 24 possessions. On offense, for the first time in a long time, Henderson, Singler, and Scheyer all had good games together (and Nolan Smith added valuable penetration ability). When those three are on like they were Sunday, Duke is very tough to stop. Duke won the game on the 3-point line (first time in a long while where that was really the case), but that doesn't mean they won by playing on the perimeter. They were at their best when they spread the court and played drive/draw/dish - guys got bettter looks, shot the ball in rhythm, and converted. When they shot 1-on-1 threes, or just passed the ball around the perimeter for jumpers, the offense was far less effective.<br /><br />Most encouraging was the way Duke responded to an early second half push from FSU. The Noles cut a 14-point halftime lead to 6 in one heck of a hurry. Duke then scored 23 points over the next 8 possessions, scoring on each trip and getting the lead to the game-high 22. While FSU made it interesting down the stretch thanks to hot shooting, stupid Duke fouls, and poor free throw shooting on our part, the game was essentially over after those 8 possessions.<br /><br />Jon Scheyer was awarded tournament MVP, and it was richly deserved (I would have had no quarrel with Toney Douglas being selected, as he was sensational). Scheyer posted offensive ratings of 134.6, 154.9, and 164.6 in the three games, hitting 4-6 from 2, 12-25 from 3, and 21-25 from the line. He was the Devils' steadying force throughout the weekend, and largely responsible for the miniscule number of turnovers (4) committed against FSU. Kudos to Jon for an MVP-caliber performance.<br /><br />HD Box<br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrI5v8IuQFVpKQ&output=html&gid=33&single=true&widget=true" width="700" frameborder="0" height="300"></iframe><br /><br />And FSU's plus/minus<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: left;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt; text-align: left;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hoff</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Gibson</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kitchen</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dulkys</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Alabi</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Singleton</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">39</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">57</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">61</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Reid</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-9</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Douglas</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">64</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">71</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">DeMercy</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Loucks</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-10</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Echefu</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-15</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-14</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">69</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">79</span></td> <td style="text-align: left;" class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">-10</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-83521458963950382012009-03-14T22:29:00.000-07:002009-03-14T23:20:15.859-07:00ACC Semis Wrap and Finals Preview<span style="font-size:85%;">One thing was clear from the two semifinal games today in Atlanta - don't expect an easy whistle. Officials in both games let guys maul each other in the paint - lots of contact on layups went uncalled, and lots of leaps over the back on rebounds went uncalled. From what I saw, each team suffered equally - everyone simply got beat up with near impunity. Part of me was yelling at the TV, watching things that were fouls all season go uncalled. Another part of me was thankful, knowing that the NCAA tournament tends to involve swallowed whistles, and thinking that it was good for the ACC's elite teams to get a preview for that kind of officiating. And, finally, part of me was disappointed that, on semifinal Saturday, I knew the first thing I was going to be writing about was the style of officiating.<br /><br />But enough of that. Today's attendees at the Georgia Dome saw two extremely hard fought games. Toney Douglas was again exceptional for the Noles, leading the way with 27 points and a 132 offensive rating while using 30.5% of FSU's possessions. In case you're counting at home, that's 17 straight games of greater than 23% usage and an offensive rating of 108 or higher. In short, he's really, really good. Chris Singleton struggled with fouls and turnovers, but hit a couple of huge jumpers (the almost 3 to put them up 66-62, and then the actual three shortly thereafter), and Solomon Alabi showed how much he's developed since the start of the year. He's averaged 11, 6, and 2.5 blocks over the last 6, and consistently gives them positive minutes.<br /><br />For Carolina, one set of numbers told me how much they missed Lawson - pace. In ACC play, UNC averaged 74.7 possessions per game. In two games in Atlanta, they let Virginia Tech and FSU hold them to 65 and 64 possessions, respectively. Carolina's offense was still strong - 149 points in 129 possessions. But they never showed the kind of speed they have when Lawson is in the game, and it cost them the easier transition opportunities they feast on when he's running the show. Tyler Hansbrough did pretty much everything he could (it's to his great credit that I was shocked when he failed to convert after given the ball with the Heels down 1 in the last minute - those are plays he <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> seems to make), but it proved to be not quite enough without UNC's motor in the game. Also, Danny Green never wants to see Atlanta again - 3 of 25 from the field, for his two worst offensive games of the entire season.<br /><br />Here's the +/- from the early game. Drew's numbers surprised me, but Davis's didn't. He played much better than Deon Thompson. He's going to be a serious defensive force next season (if still a little raw offensively).<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 478px; height: 448px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="width: 50pt;" width="66"><span style="font-size:85%;">Florida State</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kitchen</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">71</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Alabi</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">68</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dulkys</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Reid</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Douglas</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">68</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">67</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Singleton</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Loucks</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Gibson</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Echefu</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">42</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">45</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">DeMercy</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">73</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">70</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" colspan="3" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">North Carolina</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Drew</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davis</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellington</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">67</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">64</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Zeller</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hansbrough</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">59</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">64</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-13</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-10</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Green</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">42</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-12</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">56</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">67</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Frasor</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">51</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-14</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">70</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">73</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />In the evening game, Maryland fought the good fight, but they just didn't quite have enough firepower to beat the Devils. They deserve a lot of credit for relentlessly attacking the boards in Atlanta - after putting up one of the worst offensive rebounding seasons in the league, they got over 40% of their own misses against both Wake and Duke. Vasquez again struggled against the Devils - 14 points on 17 shots plus 4 turnovers. On the season, he's produced just 32 points in 41.5 possessions used against Duke, and didn't post an offensive rating higher than 93 in any of the three games. Eric Hayes was ridiculous down the stretch to keep the game close - he hit a series of tough, well-defended shots off a variety of different moves from a variety of different places on the court - it had me saying "you've got to be kidding me" more than once.<br /><br />Singler, Scheyer, and Smith had very nice games for Duke. Nolan played harassing defense and did solid point duty, hitting double figures for the first time in over a month. He also contributed three assists without turning the ball over. Scheyer was again a steadying hand at the lead guard and shot the ball well - in two games in Atlanta, he's 8-19 from 3, 2-2 from 2, and 8-10 from the line (yes, his two misses have come in key spots, but it's tough to blame a guy shooting 80%). And Singler showed that there are other ways to contribute when your shots aren't falling. On a day when he was just 3-12 from the field (and 1-9 from 2), he attacked the offensive glass and got himself to the line, ending up with a very solid offensive rating for his efforts.<br /><br />K put the game in the hands of 5 guys. At the 12:05 mark, Henderson and McClure came in for Thomas and Williams, and that was Duke's last substitution. Smith, Scheyer, Henderson, McClure, and Singler played the game's final 20 possessions without a sub, and did enough to deliver Duke the victory. That lineup ended up just +2 on the game, but those five were clearly Duke's best players tonight, and they did what was necessary to deliver the win. Nolan proved especially valuable - the squad was <span style="font-style: italic;">+17! </span>when he was in the game, and got outscored 16-5 when he was sitting.<br /><br />Here's the HD Box, and the plus/minus for Maryland:<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='300' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrLgBsbeNk_Ldg&output=html&gid=32&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 273pt;" width="361" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" colspan="2" style="width: 50pt;" width="66"><span style="font-size:85%;">Maryland</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 25pt;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tucker</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bowie</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Dupree</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Neal</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Vasquez</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">61</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">64</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Milbourne</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">53</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mosley</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Gregory</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hayes</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">55</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-12</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">61</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">67</span></td> <td class="xl65" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Tomorrow will be the third Duke/FSU matchup. Both games have been close Duke wins - by 8 at FSU and by 3 in Cameron in a nailbiter. The Noles have had difficulty stopping Singler and Henderson - the two have combined for 81 points in the two games and are a collective +39. The two games couldn't look more different. In the first, neither team could shoot, but FSU pounded the glass (47.92 ORB%) and turned Duke over (turnovers in 1 of every 4 Duke possessions). In the second, the Noles lit it up from the field (.567 efg%), but had no presence on the offensive glass (just 25.71 ORB%) and couldn't get the Devils to cough it up (turnovers in 1 of every 11 Duke possessions). Neither team needs this game for tournament reasons - I think Duke is locked into a 2 seed and FSU should have a 4 sewn up (although maybe they'd be a 5 with a loss, which is a bigger difference than one might think, since the 12s are usually the last at large teams, and the 13s are usually the first auto-bid teams, and there can be a substantial talent gap between the two). But both teams have played this weekend like they really want the title, and there will be zero punches pulled tomorrow afternoon.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-79264756436061875532009-03-13T22:06:00.000-07:002009-03-13T23:02:30.751-07:00ACC Day 2 Wrap and Day 3 Preview<span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia Tech has no one to blame but themselves. They had every opportunity to win, and couldn't execute when they needed to. Plus, their foul trouble killed them. Vassallo had a terrific game, and the Hokies were +7 (56-49) when he was in. But his foul trouble forced him to sit much more than usual, and the team was -10 (20-30) when he was sitting next to the coaches. The numbers were somewhat similar for Allen - +2 when he was in, -5 when he was out. Those two were the only Hokies with positive +/- numbers, and they were the two who struggled with fouls all game. Now, they'll likely be heading to the NIT once again. The Hokies will look back on this season as one of near misses - the half court heave by Xavier, the loss to Wisconsin, the terrible loss to Georgia, etc., etc.<br /><br />For Carolina, they just don't look like the same team without Lawson on the court. The post players all had very nice games, as they had size and skill advantages over Tech's big men - Ed Davis in particular played very well. And Hansbrough made all the key plays when the counted - the big layup, clutch free throws, the "jump ball." For UNC's sake, they need to stop him from showing off his jumper to the NBA scouts and get back down in the post where he's close to unstoppable at the college level. There's no reason he should spend so much time floating around 15-20 feet from the basket. As a bonus, here's the +/- from game 1:<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 473px; height: 448px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 25pt;" span="9" width="33"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: right;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: right;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: right;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: right;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" colspan="2" style="width: 50pt; text-align: right;" width="66"><span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia Tech</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: right;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: right;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: right;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 25pt; text-align: right;" width="33"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Vassallo</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">56</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Allen</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Diakite</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">57</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">58</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thorns</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bell</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">52</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davila</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Delaney</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">71</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">77</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hudson</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">62</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">68</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">42</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">76</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">79</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63" colspan="3"><span style="font-size:85%;">North Carolina</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davis</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Drew</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Frasor</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">39</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">69</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">66</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellington</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">72</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">69</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hansbrough</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">35</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">67</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">64</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Watts</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Zeller</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">44</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Green</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">53</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: right;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">43</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">42</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">79</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">76</span></td> <td style="text-align: right;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />In game 2, FSU played just well enough to win. Toney Douglas was again exceptional; 25 points and extremely good perimeter defense. Lewis Clinch scored a lot, but needed way too many shots - unlike Thursday, his points today were not efficient. For the second time this season, FSU and Georgia Tech played to a defensive stand-still. The collective offensive rating for the game was just about 90, which is over a point and a half per possession below the league average for the season. Also, memo to Jimmy Dykes: Gani Lawal does not miss free throws because he lacks "toughness" or a "big valentine"; he misses free throws because he's not a good free throw shooter.<br /><br />FSU should be hungry to get another shot at the Tar Heels. They had them all but beat in Tallahassee, and then some questionable decision-making (and Ty Lawson playing Tyus Edney) had them walking away with the L. Hansbrough really struggled in that game, with 8 points, 5 boards, 2 turnovers, and 0! free throw attempts (and some foul trouble of his own). He can't afford a repeat of that kind of performance with Lawson out. Nor can Danny Green afford a repeat of today's shooting.<br /><br />On to the evening session. Last year, Wake had a serious style problem. They had a team that did not shoot the 3 well but that loved to take 3s. They hit barely over 30%, but took about 20 a game. This year, as they got even bigger, Gaudio totally reversed course - they eschewed the perimeter and focused inside, inside, inside, taking a lower percentage of their attempts from three than any team in America. Coming into tonight, they had attempted 11 threes or fewer in half their games. Against Maryland, they have a <span style="font-style: italic;">huge</span> size advantage - Johnson, Aminu, McFarland, Weaver, and Woods are all taller than Neal, Gregory, or Milbourne. And yet for some reason, as soon as Maryland dropped into a 2-3, the Deacs fell in love with the outside shot, to their great detriment. Wake took 25 threes, the most they attempted in any game this year, and made just 3, on their way to shooting <span style="font-style: italic;">under 30%</span> from the field for the game. For Maryland, Vasquez had another solid game, and as a team, the Terps finally took advantage of their skill at the free throw line - 26 attempts tonight against just 2 when they played in College Park. Maryland also had a surprisingly effective day on the offensive glass - getting 45.4% of their misses was their best offensive rebounding performance in ACC play, and came against Wake's front line to boot.<br /><br />In the nightcap, Duke and BC both struggled with shooting in the first half, heated up a bit in the second half, and came down with an exciting end to a day of close games. I'll have more on this one tomorrow morning when I get a chance to run the lineup numbers and see how the +/- turned out. But it was a good "survive and advance" win for the Devils. Maryland is going to be itching to beat Duke, and beating any team three times in the same season is difficult (I could be wrong, but I believe the last time we did that to Maryland was in 2001, and all three wins were classics). For BC, they shouldn't have to sweat too much - 22 wins, including victories over UNC and Duke (and a 1 point loss to Duke), plus 10 wins against ACC play. But you know they wish they could get those Harvard and St. Louis games back. If Baylor, Tulsa, Mississippi State, or USC wins their conference tourneys, bubble bids will get stolen.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-30779667689872682602009-03-13T08:20:00.000-07:002009-03-13T09:19:05.495-07:00ACC Day 1 Wrap and Day 2 Preview<span style="font-size:85%;">Solid, but not spectacular day 1 for the ACC. Georgia Tech made the big headlines with its Clemson upset, and Virginia Tech made a good statement with a convincing win over Miami.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Games 1/5 - Virginia Tech over Miami, against North Carolina</span><br />The Hurricanes picked a very bad time to have their worst shooting <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> worst offensive rebounding game of the season. The Hokies held them to .404 efg% and just 19% on offensive rebounds. Nobody on Miami got to double figures. For Virginia Tech, Malcolm Delaney overcame a poor shooting performance from the field (1-10) with a huge night at the line (14-15). JT Thompson made solid contributions with 12 and 8 without missing a shot on the floor.<br /><br />So now the Hokies have to deal with North Carolina. The game in Blacksburg last week was a closse one, despite the fact that Virginia Tech was ice cold from three and couldn't turn UNC over. The Hokies played even with Carolina on the glass and held them to a sub 50% shooting night. Lawson, who had 22 and 5 assists, will not play. Roy should look to Bobby Frasor as the replacement point guard, because Drew has been the single worst player in the ACC this season - he has an offensive rating of 53.86 and turns it over on <span style="font-style: italic;">more than half</span> of the possessions he uses. If VT can capitalize on his absence with a win, their tournament profile looks a lot better.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Games 2/6 - Georgia Tech over Clemson, against Florida State</span><br />The Jackets had their best offensive game of the ACC and their best since dropping 92 on Winston Salem State in the first game of the season. The Jackets went 28-45 from 2, and hit the glass for 43% of their own misses, exploiting the interior defense that has been a weakness for Clemson all season. Gani Lawal - 20 and 14, including 7 on offense - and Lewis Clinch - 32 points on 20 shots - led the way for Georgia Tech. This is their whole post-season unless they win it all - it's nice to see them get out and just play good basketball. Clemson's now allowed 7 of their last 9 opponents to score over a point per possession.<br /><br />The game between FSU and Georgia Tech earlier this year was, not surprisingly, a defensive struggle. The final was 62-58 in a 70 possession game, with both teams cold from 3 (a combined 6 of 38). Toney Douglas had his second-worst game of the conference season, with "just" a 108 offensive rating, and not racking up an assist. The Noles offense is playing much better since January - 6 of the last 9 with at least a point per possession (and 2 of the other three with 0.99 points per). This game is pretty much meaningless except for FSU's ultimate seed line. Advancing to the semis, or even finals, could make the Noles a 4.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Games 3/7 - Maryland over NC State, against Wake Forest</span><br />74-69 doesn't necessarily look like an offensive shootout, but it is in a 59 possession game. NC State did their work inside (18-32 from 2, plus 18 of 33 offensive rebounds), and Maryland did theirs on the perimeter (9 of 16 from 3, 8 steals). Eric Hayes was the Terps' spark, hitting 5-6 from downtown and leading the team with 21 points off the bench. Vasquez also had a solid double-double with 17 and 10 assists (and did it efficiently!).<br /><br />Now Maryland gets another crack at the Deacs. Last weekend, they had Wake Forest on the ropes, but allowed them to escape with a 65-63 win. Maryland went to the line just twice and got hammered on the glass - only some decent outside shooting and Wake Forest turnovers kept them around. Vasquez had one of those games that looks good superficially (16 points, 7 assists) until you realize it took him 24 shots and 4 turnovers to get there. Al-Farouq Aminu was huge for Wake, with a 16 point 14 rebound (6 offensive) double-double. This game means a whole lot to Maryland - with the way the rest of the bubble has been performing, a win over Wake would do a whole lot for their chances of getting a bid.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Games 4/8 - Boston College over Virginia, against Duke</span><br />BC coasted against UVA (the ACC's worst team this season, regardless of whether they got more conference wins than Georgia Tech). Rakim Sanders, who has been their best player down the stretch, was the Eagles' best again last night. BC lived on the line, scoring 31 of their 76 points at the stripe. Recognizing that the calls were coming, they focused inside, inside, inside, making just 1 three. For Virginia, Diane had a nice finish to his career, scoring 24 on just 13 shots, including 4-6 from downtown. Why Leitao didn't let him play through his struggles this season is beyond me.<br /><br />Now the Eagles will get Duke, who they beat in Chestnut Hill earlier this season. BC had their best shooting game of the season by a <span style="font-style: italic;">huge</span> margin - 22 of 33 from 2 and 8 of 18 from 3, for a .667 efg%. They hit some contested shots, but the real key to the game is that they got a lot of uncontested shots. Duke hung around in that game by hitting the glass (18 of 37 offensive rebounds) and turning BC over (19 in a 69 possession game), but hit just 3 of 16 from outside and couldn't keep up with the scoring. This was the last game before Scheyer took over the point, and Duke will be hungry to get another shot at Boston College with their new look.<br /><br /><br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-28406850344613110622009-03-11T22:46:00.000-07:002009-03-12T08:05:03.238-07:00SOS and Tourney Preview<span style="font-size:85%;">Let's start with strength of schedule. Like last season, I made a full home/road adjustment, so Duke only gets credit for playing Clemson as the Tigers played at home, and only gets credit for playing Virginia as the Cavaliers played on the road. To start, here's each team's home and road efficiency numbers:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Home</span><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 222px; height: 256px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 30pt;" span="3" width="40"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl66" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 30pt;" width="40" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Duke</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl72" style="width: 30pt;" align="right" width="40"><span style="font-size:85%;">18.79</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl70" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">North Carolina</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">18.12</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Clemson</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14.17</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl67" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Wake Forest</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">10.78</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl64" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Florida State</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8.11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl69" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Miami</span></td> <td class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">6.38</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl68" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Maryland</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.84</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl64" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia Tech</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1.19</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl64" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Boston College</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2.28</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl68" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">NC State</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3.59</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl71" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6.11</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl67" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Georgia Tech</span></td> <td class="xl72" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7.40</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Road<br /></span></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 223px; height: 192px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 30pt;" width="40"> <col style="width: 48pt;" span="2" width="64"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl72" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 78pt;" width="104" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">North Carolina</span></td> <td class="xl74" style="width: 48pt;" align="right" width="64"><span style="font-size:85%;">8.50</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl69" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Wake Forest</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-0.05</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl66" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Florida State</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-0.31</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl67" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Clemson</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-0.45</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl68" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Duke</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1.02</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl66" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Boston College</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2.01</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl71" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Miami</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6.32</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl66" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia Tech</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7.28</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl70" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">NC State</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-9.14</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl69" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Georgia Tech</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-12.12</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl73" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-14.03</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl70" colspan="2" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Maryland</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-15.26</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Remarkably this year, only one team (Carolina) was on the plus side on the road. Duke had the biggest cap between home and road performance (helped by routs of Maryland, Virginia Tech, and Virginia, hurt by the blowout at Clemson). The top 5 teams in the league were top 5 both at home and on the road, while the bottom was a little bit more spread out. Boston College was the most road immune team - actually better on the road than at home, although by an extremely small margin.<br /><br />So, next up, here's what everyone's schedule looked like.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Offense</span> (ranked by best opponent offense to worst):<br />Georgia Tech - 105.43<br />Virginia - 105.41<br />Florida State - 104.89<br />Duke - 104.83<br />Miami - 104.82<br />Wake Forest - 104.57<br />NC State - 103.81<br />Virginia Tech - 103.77<br />North Carolina - 103.31<br />Maryland - 103.30<br />Boston College - 102.75<br />Clemson - 102.07<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Defense</span> (ranked by best opponent defense to worst):<br />Virginia Tech - 102.86<br />North Carolina - 103.09<br />Maryland - 103.23<br />NC State - 103.46<br />Duke - 103.52<br />Clemson - 103.76<br />Wake Forest - 104.16<br />Boston College - 104.27<br />Miami - 104.59<br />Virginia - 104.91<br />Florida State - 105.02<br />Georgia Tech - 106.97<br /><br />The Jackets' offensive futility is remarkable considering their opponents' general defensive futility. Credit goes to Carolina considering they faced one of the stronger defensive tests in the league, and still were dominant offensively (their offensive numbers were actually suppressed slightly by their schedule).<br /><br />Finally, here's the schedule, by best opponent efficiency margin (so toughest opponents) to worst:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Overall</span><br />Duke - 1.31<br />Virginia Tech - 0.92<br />Virginia - 0.49<br />Wake Forest - 0.40<br />NC State - 0.36<br />Miami - 0.23<br />North Carolina - 0.21<br />Maryland - 0.07<br />Florida State - -0.12<br />Boston College - -1.52<br />Georgia Tech - -1.54<br />Clemson - -1.69<br /><br />The schedule adjustments moved some teams around, but was not too disruptive. By raw margin, here's how the team stacked up:<br /><br />UNC<br />Duke<br />Clemson<br />Wake Forest<br />Florida State<br />Miami<br />Boston College<br />Virginia Tech<br />NC State<br />Maryland<br />Georgia Tech<br />Virginia<br /><br />When the strength of schedule adjustments are made, Wake and Clemson swap places, Virginia Tech and BC swap places, and Virginia and Georgia Tech swap places.<br /><br />On to the tournament. As you can see from the list above, UNC actually got a tough draw out of the 8/9 game - adjusted for schedule, Miami and Virginia Tech were the 6th and 7th best teams in the ACC. Wake's draw is much more favorable - neither NC State or Maryland was one of the 8 best teams.<br /><br />As you can see from the odds report below, the top 5 teams are comfortably above the rest. FSU and Clemson have lower odds of winning because they have the prospect of facing each other on Friday, but all 5 are above 47% to reach the semis and the other 7 are below 10%. So, without further ado, here's the odds (derived from a log5 analysis using pythagorean winning percentage based on schedule-adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency - yike, that was a mouthful):<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 409px; height: 304px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 32pt;" span="3" width="43"> <col style="width: 36pt;" width="48"> <col style="width: 32pt;" span="3" width="43"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 32pt;" width="43" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 32pt;" width="43"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 32pt;" width="43"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 36pt;" width="48"><span style="font-size:85%;">Quarters</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 32pt;" width="43"><span style="font-size:85%;">Semis</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 32pt;" width="43"><span style="font-size:85%;">Finals</span></td> <td class="xl65" style="width: 32pt;" width="43"><span style="font-size:85%;">Win</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td class="xl72" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">North Carolina</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">100.00%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">86.53%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">65.53%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">41.86%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td class="xl68"><span style="font-size:85%;">Duke</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">100.00%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">88.98%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">61.52%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">32.24%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td class="xl69" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Wake Forest</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">100.00%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">84.17%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">33.56%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">12.87%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td class="xl67" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Clemson</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">91.08%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">47.90%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14.94%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5.79%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td class="xl66" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Florida State</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">100.00%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">51.22%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14.96%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5.46%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td class="xl71"><span style="font-size:85%;">Miami</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">60.83%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">9.36%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">3.41%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.89%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td class="xl66" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Boston College</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">70.68%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">9.29%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2.60%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.42%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td class="xl66" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia Tech</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">39.17%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">4.11%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1.11%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.21%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td class="xl70" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">NC State</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">54.41%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8.03%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1.12%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.14%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td class="xl70" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Maryland</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">45.59%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7.81%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.95%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.10%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td class="xl73"><span style="font-size:85%;">Virginia</span></td> <td class="xl65"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">29.32%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">1.73%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.26%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.02%</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 11.25pt;" align="right" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td class="xl69" colspan="2" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">Georgia Tech</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">8.92%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.88%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.05%</span></td> <td class="xl74" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">0.00%</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-14102369058212054702009-03-10T22:45:00.000-07:002009-03-11T00:49:21.125-07:00Player Awards<span style="font-size:85%;">This year, for the first time, I'm going to go down to three teams, because there were a ton of highly deserving players in conference this season. Actually, the player spread didn't have a lot of middle this year - there were several players at the top, and several players who did very little besides play roles. As I was writing team previews this year, I kept finding myself saying things like "they only have 3 or 4 good players, and everyone else is very, very much behind." So, without further ado, here's how my first team stacked up:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5) Jeff Teague - Wake Forest</span><br />Teague started off hot, fading a little down the stretch, but still finished with extremely strong overall numbers. He scored nearly 20 a game, dished out just over three assists, and did a fantastic job getting to the line (where he shot over 80%). Teague ended up posting a strong 116 offensive rating while using over 25% of the Deacs' possessions. On a more intangible level, Teague was the guy who gave Wake Forest its attitude and its edge. He was the best player on one of the three best teams in the conference, and he deserves first-team recognition.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4) Gerald Henderson - Duke</span><br />Henderson was the highest usage player of anyone in the ACC, using just shy of 30% of Duke's possessions while he was in the game. Like Teague, he had his peaks and valleys. When he's on, he just might be the best player in the league. There were games this year where he was unstoppable on offense. When he's off, he had a tendency to dominate the ball and get jumper happy. His offensive rating faded down the stretch - at 111.43, it's the lowest of the 5 first-teamers. Henderson's raw stats were quite strong - almost 20 and 6 per game, while turning the ball over just 16% of his possessions. Not that this counts in the award calculation, but he's also the most vicious dunker in the ACC.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3) Tyler Hansbrough - UNC</span><br />The only post player and only repeat member of this first team. Hansbrough had less impressive numbers this year than last, dropping in his field goal percentage, recording fewer double doubles, eschewing the offensive glass, and getting to the line with less frequency. I think he tried too hard to showcase a perimeter game and spent too little time doing what he does best - putting guys on his back on the blocks and scoring over, around, and through them. Still, he scored nearly 20 points a game, rarely turned the ball over (just 11.9%), and posted the second best offensive rating in the league at 126.85.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2) Tywon Lawson - UNC</span><br />Lawson was ridiculously effective on offense. He put up a 130 offensive rating on the season, combining excellent shooting (55%/45%/86%, at a total of 1.29 PPWS - best in the ACC by a wide margin) with great ball control (2.68 A/TO ratio and assists on a full third of his teammates scores, best in the league) and almost nothing negative on the offensive end. His usage is the lowest of anyone on any of the all-ACC teams, but he very clearly paces the Heels and is the key to their success. Three of his four worst performances came in UNC's three conference losses, including his only two games with offensive ratings under 100. The only thing that keeps him out of his top spot is his defense. Matadors make more of an effort to stay in front of the bull than he does with opposing point guards. Opponents have lit him up all season long. Lawson completely dominates one half of the court, but is entirely disinterested on the other. That leaves him short of POY.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1) Toney Douglas - Florida State</span><br />Everyone in the league has up and down games, but Toney Douglas managed to turn even his down games into successes. He's the only player in the league not to have multiple games with offensive ratings below 100 (80, against Duke, in the first game of the year), and only had two games below 110. Douglas did this all while being extremely high usage in <span style="font-style: italic;">every single game</span>. He had just one game where he used fewer than 25% of FSU's possessions (a "low" 23% at Virginia) and six over 30%. For as much as he controlled the ball, he never turned it over - just 11% of his possessions (a far more impressive number for a lead guard than a post player). He led the ACC in scoring by a wide margin, and produced 30 more points than his nearest competition. Plus, he might be the best on-ball perimeter defender in the conference. Toney Douglas was a star in every game he played. He was also the best player in the ACC this season.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Second Team<br /><br />6) Jack McClinton - Miami</span><br />McClinton might be the most dangerous offensive player in the conference. He had the best combination of usage and offensive rating in the conference - in any 100 team possessions, he would produce more points than any other player. McClinton was the only non Tar Heel with any meaningful production who had an offensive rating above 120. The only thing keeping him off first team is his defense, which was not quite Lawson-level bad, but still highly lacking.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7) Trevor Booker - Clemson</span><br />Booker was a beast on the defensive glass this year, pulling down nearly a quarter of opponent misses all by his lonesome. For a relatively short post player, he was also an excellent shot blocker. Booker also excelled on the offensive end of the court after a slow start to conference play. He had a stretch of seven games where he <span style="font-style: italic;">averaged</span> a 140 offensive rating. Booker had a tendency to disappear at times - 7 games where his usage was below 20%. He needs to have a mindset to want to dominate every game, because most often, he can.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8) James Johnson - Wake Forest</span><br />Of all the big men in conference, Johnson is the best NBA prospect. He's a 6'9" forward with a guard's ball control and a nose for the ball off the glass. He can score facing up, with his back to the basket, and occasionally on the perimeter (although his 3pt shooting is still poor). Johnson scored over 15 points a game on the year on the back of stellar 63% 2pt shooting. He put up an offensive rating of 117 for the conference season, and carried Wake in some of their key wins, especially the Clemson sweep.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9) Kyle Singler - Duke</span><br />Singler is Duke's most versatile player, and among the most versatile in the league. He was the team's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, putting up a 113 offensive rating while using 25% of possessions. After a rough three-game stretch against Virginia, Clemson, and Miami, Singler finished strong, playing key roles in the victories over FSU and Virginia Tech. He has a tendency to be turnover prone (they come in bunches - 9 games with 0 or 1, 5 games with 4 or more); if he can control that, he can really dominate.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10) AD Vassallo - Virginia Tech</span><br />As recently as three games ago, I would have put Malcolm Delaney in this spot. But in the second half of the season, Vassallo played far stronger. Against Duke and UNC, he scored 51 points, hitting 22 of 38 shots (including 7 of 16 threes). Plus, I have a soft spot for seniors. Vassallo was a solid 36% from beyond the arc on 100 attempts, scored just over 19 a game, and put up a very solid 116 offensive rating.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Third Team</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">11) Greivis Vasquez - Maryland</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">12) Wayne Ellington - UNC</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">13) Tyrese Rice - Boston College<br />14) Malcolm Delaney - Virginia Tech<br />15) Jon Scheyer - Duke</span><br /><br />Honorable Mention: Danny Green, KC Rivers, Sylven Landesberg, Gani Lawal, Rakim Sanders.<br /><br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-59855803689107346132009-03-08T12:28:00.000-07:002009-03-08T13:04:15.041-07:00Final Weekend Update<span style="font-size:85%;">The Maryland Terrapins really hurt their cause on Saturday, dropping a road game to the worst team in the conference and watching Mamadi Diane go off for more than a third of his total points in the ACC this season (more on that later). They put up almost identically poor offensive performances in the two games this week - against Wake, it was a 91.37 offensive rating, .442 efg%, 26.19 ORB%, and a 2.90 FT Rate (just 2 FTAs in the game); against Virginia, those numbers go 92.85, .4467, 26.32, and 9.09 (just 6 FTAs). Maryland never took advantage of its good free throw shooting this year - yes, they don't have a big guy to throw it to down low, but they have a variety of good slashers on the perimeter who should have been driving the ball and getting themselves to the line all year long. There's simply no reason for Grievis Vasquez to be averaging just 3 FTAs a game in conference play - he should be getting himself twice that number, particularly for how often he has the ball in his hands. Now the Terps will need to do a lot of work in the ACCT to put themselves in a position to receive an at large.<br /><br />For Virginia, Mamadi Diane's senior season is emblematic of Dave Leitao's poor player management. I firmly believe that he has absolutely no plan for what rotation he's going to play at the start of every game. He throws guys out there, figures out who "looks" good, and then mixes and matches semingly at random. That he never let a guy like Diane, with career numbers as good as they were, try to play through his struggles and get back into a good flow (particularly on a team with so little experienced leadership) is just the most egregious example. Take Solomon Tat - he was a starter in 8 games this season, but played fewer than 10 minutes in 6 of those games. No one except Landesberg and Scott (and to a certain extent, Baker) had any idea how big of a role they would be asked to play in any given game. Lack of stability in the rotation was obviously not the only reason UVA struggled this year - they had a big talent deficit and a lot of youth - but it certainly didn't help anyone.<br /><br />Georgia Tech almost did a perfect job of playing spoiler this week, but Rakim Sanders bailed the Eagles out with their biggest shot of the season. Over the last six games, BC's best player has been Sanders, and not Rice. He's had 95 points and 33 rebounds and posted a 121 offensive rating over that span. BC sits at 9-7 in the league despite being outscored by 23 points on the season.<br /><br />Miami clung to their faint NCAA hopes thanks to Jack McClinton's performance at the line (memo to Maryland - this is what happens when you get free throws). On a day when he couldn't hit a thing from the field, he went <span style="font-style: italic;">16-16</span> from the line to lead Miami to the win. For NC State, it's another frustrating season - they led the conference in shooting, but thanks to no offensive rebounds and too many turnovers had just average efficiency, and thanks to terrible defense ended up with a deserved 6-10.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-85148754182942074682009-03-07T08:32:00.001-08:002009-03-07T09:54:37.243-08:00Duke 84, Florida St 81<span style="font-size:85%;">Like many of you (at least those many of you who don't live in Raycom country) I did not get to see the Duke-FSU game on Tuesday. It looks like I missed a great contest. Duke again didn't shoot particularly well, but hit the big shots when it counted and again valued the basketball - the Devils committed just 7 turnovers, including <span style="font-style: italic;">none</span> from 8:38 in the first half until Singleton tied up Scheyer on a late rebound with 13 seconds left. Nearly 3/4 of the game was turnover free basketball. When you do that, you put yourself in a fantastic position to win. The Devils also got after it on the defensive glass, holding FSU to just 26% offensive rebounding and denying their big front line easy second chance points.<br /><br />There are both encouraging and discouraging take aways from this game. On the plus side, Scheyer, Singler, and Henderson all seem to be playing at their best. Each of the three is executing at a high level and showing a willingness to take over when the team needs them. The offense is also very strong of late - comfortably scoring over a point per possession and missing some of the nonslaughts that hurt them earlier this season. On the downside, this is still a team with defensive issues. FSU shot over 50% from the 2 and 8-17 from 3. The overall scoring defense wasn't terrible, considering it was a 75 possession game, but Duke really needs to find a way to stop teams from making shots.<br /><br />Also of concern is the injury bug. Smith is still out with the concussion, Thomas has a bum ankle, Zoubek may (does?) have a broken nose. Miles Plumlee may get called upon to play a meaningful role against the Heels on Sunday since there's no one else to go big with.<br /><br />Finally, for FSU, I can't be more impressed with Toney Douglas. All they've asked him to do is be their best player every single time they take the court, and all he's done is succeed. He's used over 25% of FSU's possessions in 14 of 15 conference games, and has produced more than a point per possession in 14 of 15 as well (he's the only guy in the ACC to post 14 100+ offensive rating games). The only team to hold him under was Duke in the first conference game of the year, when he shot 7 of 23 and committed 5 turns. The Noles have become better as a couple guys have stepped up to help him (Kitchen, Alabi, and Echefu), but the reason they're any good in the first place is because of Douglas.<br /><br />Here's the HD Box from Tuesday:<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='300' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrI050ye9sFBWA&output=html&gid=29&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-81479376046917114042009-03-01T18:59:00.000-08:002009-03-01T19:36:51.919-08:00Duke 72, Virginia Tech 65<span style="font-size:85%;">Duke finished off a solid week of road wins by valuing the basketball. Duke committed just 9 turnovers yesterday, and the last one came with 14:55 to play. By contrast, Virginia Tech coughed the ball up 19 times, leading to several easy baskets for the Devils. Duke is the hardest team in the ACC to turnover, and the best team in the ACC at forcing opponents to cough it up. That difference has been key for the Devils all year, and paid great dividends on Saturday.<br /><br />Henderson and Singler led the way for Duke, one in the first half (Gerald) and one in the second (Kyle). Gerald had 21 points and 6 assists, but had to struggle to get it. He was looking way too much to take control and take his own shot. It ended up being his most inefficient performance in quite a while. He quite properly has been getting the largest share of Duke's possessions, but doing so within the flow of the offense. Yesterday, he dominated the ball to the point that it disrupted the offense at times.<br /><br />Singler highlighted his versatility in a way that he hasn't done as often recently. He made some nice drives, displayed a variety of solid face-up moves, and knocked down the outside shot. He also looked solid at the line for the first time in a while. And special kudos go to Elliot Williams, whose harassing defense on Malcolm Delaney held the Hokie point guard to one of his poorest showings of the year.<br /><br />There were some concerns. Duke had its worst rebounding game of the season, and got beat by a team that, on the whole, isn't that much bigger than the Devils. The offense stalled at times, and broke down into lots of dribbling, one or no passes, and jumpshots. We have a tendency to fall in love with the jumper (Henderson especially), which is fine if it comes after attacking the defense, but less fine if the ball never gets inside the free throw line on a possession. But on the whole, Duke handled a high effort game from a tough Hokies team, and walked out of Cassell with the victory. Here's the HD Box:<br /><iframe width='750' height='350' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrKLaW6cd0KuEQ&output=html&gid=28&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /><br />And, as a bonus, the +/- for VT. The numbers for Thompson reflect the quality of his play. He had a terrific defensive game. The numbers for Allen similarly reflected the quality of his play. It was a tough game for Jeff. Also, note that Delaney and Vassallo never sat, and Thompson played the whole second half.<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 444px; height: 176px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 26pt;" span="9" width="35"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: center;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 26pt; text-align: center;" width="35"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">55</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">51</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hudson</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">61</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">62</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davila</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bell</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Witcher</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Delaney</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">72</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Vassallo</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">72</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Allen</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">28</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-9</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">65</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">72</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-52160459197673739752009-02-28T07:18:00.000-08:002009-02-28T08:03:07.042-08:00Meet the Hokies<span style="font-size:85%;">And, at long last, we come to the end of this 11-part series. I was traveling for the first game, so I didn't get to introduce everyone to Virginia Tech before (although I have previously wondered <a href="http://dbdhoops.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-to-make-of-virginia-tech.html">what to make of them</a>). In that post, I wondered whether the Hokies' strong offensive performance was sustainable. There's been some drop off since then, but the answer is largely yes. The Hokies still don't turn the ball over and still shoot pretty well. Plus, they've accomplished this against the toughest schedule of opponent defenses in the league this year.<br /><br />Once again, their point/wing/post trio of Delaney, Vassallo, and Allen carry the team. They've scored 697 of the team's 961 points (72.5%) and have largely done so in an efficient manner. Malcolm Delaney is probably having the best season you don't hear too much about - he's averaging over 21 points a game, consistently using 25% or more of the team's possessions, and producing a 117.34 offensive rating. Delaney is a penetrating guard who lives at the free throw line (100 FTAs in ACC play) and shoots well from everywhere on the court (.464/.419/.840). His numbers compare very favorably to the other guards tossed around for all-ACC - Douglas, McClinton, Henderson, Lawson - and yet you don't hear his name in the conversation as much. If he can lead his team to an upset over Duke or UNC in the next couple of games, you might.<br /><br />AD Vassallo has had a very solid, if unspectacular, senior year. He's accepted a second banana role to Delaney, and has rejiggered his game just a bit, focusing inside more often than outside, and to good effect, as he's hitting 55% of his 2s against just 35% of his 3s. He's still a dangerous shooter who can get hot at any moment, and he loves taking clutch shots down the stretch.<br /><br />Allen has been the least efficient of the three, struggling with turnovers, poor free throw shooting, and less than ideal field goal percentage from a big man inside. He's also struggled with his attitude at times - court misconduct has earned him suspensions in each of the last two seasons, and opponents can clearly get into his head. Still, he's a versatile big man who can score back-to-the-basket, facing up, and on the perimeter. He's also a strong rebounder - the best the Hokies have at either end. Allen's usage numbers have been too high for his performance - he uses the highest share of anyone on the team, but has an offensive rating stuck around 100. In raw terms, Vassallo has used only 13 more possessions (in many more minutes), but produced 47 more points.<br /><br />The trouble for the Hokies this year has been finding help outside the big three. Except Cheick Diakite and Lewis Witcher (both of whom rely largely on put-backs for their points), all the other Hokies have poor offensive ratings, and no one has contributed as many as 5 points per game. JT Thompson has been unable to recapture his strong performance from the end of last season, hitting double figures only twice in conference play (and doing so inefficiently, with offensive ratings of 91.5 and 80 in those games). He's also been victimized by a turnover bug, which will quickly limit your playing time on a Seth Greenberg team. Victor Davila showed some promise early, but his numbers have dwindled of late. Aside from Clemson (where he's averaged 20.5 minutes in the two games), he's played just 45 minutes over 7 games, and scored just 2 points. He has size, but hasn't yet translated it into strong rebounding, shot blocking, or efficient scoring. Hank Thorns takes over a lot of the point play when he's in the game, and has racked up strong assist numbers by feeding the ball to the big three - he assists nearly 30% of his teammates hoops, good for 4th in the conference. He's not at all a shooting threat, though, posting a .365 efg%, comfortably the worst on the team. Dorenzo Hudson and Terrell Bell get limited minutes to round out the rotation, and both struggle putting the ball in the hoop - .415 efg% for Hudson, .420 for Bell.<br /><br />As a team, the Hokies stand out in just two areas - avoiding turnovers, and getting to the line. This is the second year running that VT has led the conference in free throw rate, and they're traditionally stingy giving the ball away. One problem they've had, though, is that they don't convert from the stripe - only 67.4% as a team in conference, and aside from Delaney and Vassallo, no one is above 60%.<br /><br />The Hokies are playing for their tournament lives, needing a statement win over Duke or UNC to bolster a largely unimpressive resume. They're also looking to redeem themselves from the 44 point stink-bomb they dropped in Cameron to open conference play. Cassell will be rocking and rowdy, as it always is when Duke comes to town. Today's game, I think, should look a lot like Wednesday's - tight throughout, high energy, generally strong levels of execution, and (hopefully) a late Duke pullaway for the win.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-21759605640876270002009-02-27T22:02:00.000-08:002009-02-27T23:07:21.628-08:00Duke 78, Maryland 67<span style="font-size:85%;">That was one heck of a basketball game. 56 possessions in, the score was tied at 60, and neither team had led by more than 4. Over the game's last 12 possessions, Duke outscored the Terps 18-7, hitting some crucial shots (such as the one three from Scheyer on a 1-7 night), and picking up key stops. That was a challenging game in a hostile environment and the Devils never lost their intensity or their cool. In contrast to the games at BC and Clemson, Duke really looked like they came to play from the opening tip.<br /><br />The Scheyer-Williams backcourt combo has continued to pay dividends on the offensive end. Jon handles the ball very intelligently, and has committed only two turnovers in the last three games at the point. In the three minutes he sat against Maryland, Duke didn't score a point and was outscored 6-0. For his part, Elliot Williams continues to do what he needs to do. He had some nice drives, grabbed some crucial rebounds, and harassed Maryland's guards on defense. Gary Williams gave clear instructions to leave him completely alone on the perimeter - Grievis Vasquez (when he wasn't committing idiotic fouls) "guarded" Williams by standing in the middle of the key ready to cut off any of the other Devils on the drive. Elliot responded with 6-8 from the field, including 1-2 from downtown. It will be interesting to see whether teams continue to show him the same lack of respect on offense, and whether he can exploit that.<br /><br />As well as those two played, Gerald Henderson simply shined. He and Williams, in their own ways, illustrate the light bulb principle - for some guys, at some times, the light bulb just goes off, and after that they're different players. At some point over the holiday season, the light bulb went off in Henderson's head and he realized that in pretty much any game, he was going to be the best player on the court. Since then, he's acted like it. There were several moments in last night's game that exemplified that - the insanely vicious dunk off the in-bounds play shortly after Nolan went out was one, but my favorite came about a minute later. He blocked Cliff Tucker on a breakaway layup, recovered the ball, and got it to Paulus. As Henderson crossed the halfcourt line (without the ball) he started directing the offense, and I immediately knew he was going to a) get the ball on the left wing and b) score. Sure enough, he got the clear out he wanted, got the ball on the left wing, drove to the free throw line, and nailed a jumper over Tucker. Gerald falls in love with his jumper at times, and still lacks handle going left, but my goodness has he elevated his game. The scary thing is, there's a lot of room for growth left.<br /><br />Here's the HD Box for Duke:<br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrKQVQ3qEpDZeA&output=html&gid=27&single=true&widget=true" width="750" frameborder="0" height="350"></iframe><br /><br />Also, as a bonus, the +/- for Maryland. Vasquez's numbers are, I think, misleading. He sat for 14 minutes during the second half. During the first 11 that he sat, the team was even with Duke. It was only during the last three minutes that Duke went on its run, outscoring the Terps by 11 at the finish. Also, it should be noted that for the first 8-2 of that run, Vasquez was getting subbed offense for defense, which skews the numbers a touch. Nonetheless, he was the only Terp with a positive +/- on the day.<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 361px; height: 176px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 22pt;" span="9" width="29"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: center;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 22pt; text-align: center;" width="29"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Vasquez</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">32</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">39</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Kim</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Gregory</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">17</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Tucker</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">12</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-3</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Neal</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">24</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">20</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">51</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hayes</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">18</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">36</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">47</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">55</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Bowie</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">29</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">42</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-13</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">45</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">57</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-12</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Mosley</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">37</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">50</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-13</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Milbourne</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">30</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">33</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">42</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-9</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">63</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">76</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-13</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: center;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">170</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">170</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">165</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">220</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-55</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">335</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">390</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-55</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-19484721054498187172009-02-24T21:37:00.000-08:002009-02-24T23:06:19.608-08:00Maryland Preview<span style="font-size:85%;">It's really amazing what one win can do for your season. It gives the players confidence, calms the fans down, and suddenly makes the tournament prospects look rosier. And no, I'm not talking about Duke's performance on Sunday night.<br /><br />To say that Maryland has had a tumultuous season would be an understatement. The coach and the athletic department have been fighting. The team has been struggling. The players have been whining about playing time and roles. And they haven't been included in tournament talk since getting housed by Gonzaga and Georgetown in back-to-back games in November. As recently as mid-week last week, they were heading discontentedly along to the NIT, getting crushed by 29 at Clemson. And then, all of a sudden, a Saturday afternoon in late February turned everything around.<br /><br />Maryland played, without question, its best game of the season when it knocked off UNC 88-85. It was the only time all season that Maryland hit double digit threes. It was the only time all season Maryland got double digit blocks. Carolina recorded the fewest assists of any ACC opponent, and hit the fewest threes of any ACC opponent. They took down a team that was unquestionably better team, and all of a sudden, they're 17-9, 6-6 in the ACC, and back on the bubble, and have an always emotional home game against Duke that could give them a third signature win (after MSU and UNC).<br /><br />Every rational part of me says that this is the same Maryland team that struggled so much early in conference play. Their offense and defense are still wildly inconsistent. Even after a dominating performance against Carolina, Greivis Vasquez has had a subpar season, with an offensive rating well under 100. Only Landon Milbourne has been a reliably efficient performer - everyone else goes hot and cold. They're still small inside (they got killed on the boards by UNC), they still can't shoot (12th in the ACC), and they still have difficulty preventing teams from putting the ball in the hoop (12th in the ACC in efg% against).<br /><br />Nonetheless, Maryland has a tendency to play differently when UNC and Duke come to town, and the team and fans are giong to be really up for this game. Duke will need to play well to win, and if it stays close late, anything can happen.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-14851510340179268422009-02-23T21:49:00.000-08:002009-02-23T23:30:21.806-08:00Duke 101, Wake Forest 91<span style="font-size:85%;">Apologies that it's been a while (work, travel, etc.), but what a game to return to. Duke and Wake put on an offensive display in the second half unlike any seen in the conference thus far. It was a relatively slow half - 33 possessions for Duke and 34 possessions for Wake - that was very high scoring - 50 for Duke and 51 for Wake. That's 101 collective points in just 67 possessions, a combined 150.75 offensive rating for the half. Duke got just 10 stops all half, and Wake just 9. The Deacs scored on <span style="font-style: italic;">19 of the first 22</span> second half possessions, almost always from penetration by Smith, Teague, or Johnson (with the occasional offensive rebound thrown in for kicks). Thankfully, Henderson and Scheyer were just as good (and better, really), and Duke didn't suffer any offensive let down, converting on 20 of the first 27 possessions and 24 of 33 overall in the second half (and two of the "failed" possessions were missed front ends). There may not have been a lot of defense, but my goodness it was fun to watch.<br /><br />It's hard to imagine, watching him play now, that before 2009 started, Henderson was averaging just 12 points a game and had 4 games in single digits (including only 2! against Purdue). Only twice had he used over 24% of Duke's possessions, seemingly reluctant to play like a superstar. Since 2009, however, he's been a completely different player. He's been <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> focal point of the offense, never using fewer than 24% of possessions in 2009 and 5 times going over 30%. He's averaged 19.7 points a game in 2009 and over 20 in ACC play, posting a 116.23 offensive rating while using 28.73% of Duke's possessions. Last night was his signature game. He hit from everywhere on the floor, attacking the rim for ferocious dunks, backing down smaller players for turnarounds, hitting pull-ups from all spots, and capping it all off with an absolutely ridiculous (and backbreaking) 3.<br /><br />As for the lineup change, Jon Scheyer has played 74 minutes at point guard with just one turnover. He played an extremely steady game at point, and showed how dangerous he can be when he has his shot. Another positive is how much he's started to attack - after just 27 free throw attempts in his previous 8 games, he's had 25 in his last 2, and scored 19 points at the line. And Elliot Williams has acquitted himself nicely. His game still lacks polish, and he still goes way too fast for his own good (witness his foot shuffling when he's standing with the ball on the perimeter), but he's been a very valuable asset on the perimeter, if only as a high energy shot in the arm. He's looked more confident and more aggressive. For those who say you need game minutes to develop, Elliot is a bit of a counterexample - he had played 63 minutes over the past 12 games, and didn't look particularly good in any of those minutes, and then has played 63 in the last two and looked like a legit ACC player.<br /><br />Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the play of Lance Thomas. He's averaging 8.25 points and 3.5 offensive rebounds over the last four games, shooting 15 of 21 and committing just 4 turnovers. He gathered some key offensive boards, and frustrated penetration by Teague and Smith toward the end of the game. I still think that the defense is weaker with him on the court (the stats bear me out, as our defense gives up just about a point per possession with Thomas in, which is the worst of anyone on the team), but like Williams, he's provided energy and spark to a team that too often in February has looked flat.<br /><br />Here's the HD Box from last night:<br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrKuPli2CFPfHQ&output=html&gid=26&single=true&widget=true" width="700" frameborder="0" height="350"></iframe><br /><br />As a bonus, here's the +/- for Wake:<br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 291pt;" width="388" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 27pt;" span="9" width="36"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt; text-align: center;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;">1st</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;">2nd</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;">Game</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 27pt; text-align: center;" width="36"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">off</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">def</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">+/-</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Aminu</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">26</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">47</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">41</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">73</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">66</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hale</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Weaver</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">21</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">22</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Woods</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">0</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Clark</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">3</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">4</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">11</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Williams</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">40</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">47</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">86</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">93</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">McFarland</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">25</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-6</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">8</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">9</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">27</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">34</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Smith</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">31</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-7</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">45</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">46</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">76</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">84</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Teague</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">38</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">48</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-10</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">51</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">49</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">89</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">97</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-8</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; text-align: left;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Johnson</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">23</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">39</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-16</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">51</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">50</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">1</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">74</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">89</span></td> <td style="text-align: center;" class="xl63"><span style="font-size:85%;">-15</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-72682211907620137242009-02-15T07:37:00.000-08:002009-02-15T08:12:39.233-08:00Meet the Eagles<span style="font-size:85%;">Boston College comes in as probably the most mercurial team in the ACC so far (or, at the very least, the simultaneous owner of the conference's best win - @UNC - and the conference's worst loss - at home against Harvard). Aside from the UNC game, though, they've struggled against the conference's better teams - two losses to Wake by a combined 37 points, a loss to Clemson at home by 10, etc.<br /><br />BC's struggles, as is typical with an Al Skinner team, have come on the defensive side of the ball. BC's defensive rating in ACC play is 111.19 (last, after the NCSU-GT game yesterday). They're last in defensive rebounding, last in forcing turnovers, and 7th in opponent field goal percentage. Opponents have collectively taken about 40 more field goals and 40 more free throws, meaning that they've had roughly 6 more chances to score than the Eagles have. For a team that's been outscored by just 19 on the ACC season, it's clear that those 6 extra chances have really cost them.<br /><br />Also typical for Al Skinner's teams, BC's offense is strong. They've been the second most efficient team in conference play, trailing only the Heels, and have posted offensive ratings over 100 in 8 of 10 ACC games, including over 110 in each of the last 6. They're not standouts in any particular category, but solid across the board - 6th in shooting, 3rd in offensive rebounding, 6th in avoiding turnovers, and fourth in getting to the line. Over the last 6 games, the shooting has picked up, particularly inside - 52% from 2.<br /><br />BC's led on offense by senior point guard Tyrese Rice. He uses over 30% of the Eagles possessions, plays 36 minutes a game, and is pretty high efficiency for such a high use player, posting a 109 offensive rating. His three point shooting is somewhat improved, but his inside scoring is a little down this year, and he's been more turnover prone than usual. Rice is most successful off the dribble, where he can create both for himself and his teammates (he assists on about 30% of his teammates' scores). Joining Rice in the starting backcourt is sophomore Rakim Sanders. Sanders was high usage last year as a freshman, and has continued to be so this year, using 23% of the possessions and taking 26% of the shots. However, he's improved his efficiency greatly; last year he was a black hole who couldn't shoot well and turned it over a ton, while this season he has a 117 offensive rating, doesn't turn it over (just 15.7% of his possessions) and makes over 50% of his 2s and over 40% of his 3s. He's also big for a 2 guard, at about 6'5", 225, and rebounds well out of the backcourt, getting about 8% of available offensive rebounds.<br /><br />On the front line are Corey Raji, Joe Trapani, and Josh Southern. Raji has done nothing since arriving on campus last year but be extremely efficient. He's not a focal point of the offense, using only 16.5% of possessions, but he leads the team in offensive rating (120.25) on the back of never turning the ball over and pounding the offensive glass. Raji is just about 6'6", and he's in the top 6 in the conference in offensive rebounding. Someone needs to focus all day long on putting a body on him once the shot goes up. Trapani, a transfer from Vermont, has a nice inside outside game that has taken scoring pressure off of Rice and Sanders. He takes almost half his shots from 3, hitting 36% on the season. He's also the Eagles' best defensive rebounder, collecting nearly 20% of opponent misses. On the inside, Josh Southern has struggled somewhat. He's athletic, but a little undersized, and hasn't been able to score or rebound with a lot of success. He's also the most turnover prone Eagle besides Rice.<br /><br />Skinner goes 4 deep off the bench, with the most effective contributor being Reggie Jackson. He's actually the team's 4th-leading scorer in ACC play, and gets over 20 minutes a game. He's been a much better shooter inside (27-46, 58.7%) than outside (3-22, 13.6%). Biko Paris is the backup point guard, and has on several occasions only gotten minutes when Rice sits. He's been more highly used recently, to good effect. He is mostly an assist man - 22 assists and just 26 field goal attempts - but he's shown a surprising propensity to get to the line, with a free throw rate of 88.5. Tyler Roche, a wing, plays about 10 minutes a game and does little more than shoot threes. He's been mostly ineffective on the season thus far. My personal bench player for the Eagles, though, is Cortney Dunn, who makes Dave McClure look like a high use player. Dunn has averaged 16 minutes a game in ACC play, and scored just 16 points. Total. And a full 8 of those came this week against Clemson. He uses a miniscule 5.15% of possessions, which is last in the conference by a healthy margin. The sum total of his offensive contribution is 11 field goal attempts, 9 free throw attempts, 9 offensive rebounds, and 2 turnovers. Put another way, I don't think we need to pay too much attention to him when he's in the game.<br /><br />Duke matches up very well with BC, with the exception of Paulus on Rice. But that's been a matchup problem for three years now, and has yet to hurt the Devils. This is a game that I think Brian Zoubek can have a positive impact on - neither Southern nor Dunn are used much on offense, and both are significantly smaller than he is. Having the big guy patrolling the lane may frustrate some of Rice's drives. On the rest of the perimeter, Scheyer and Henderson match up very well with Sanders and Raji, and Singler and McClure can easily chase Trapani around the perimeter. When it comes down to it, I don't think this BC team can play defense well enough to beat Duke (particularly if the Devils carry over some of the downhill offense that worked so well against UNC).<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-82052863126055300482009-02-13T00:50:00.000-08:002009-02-13T01:39:24.436-08:00UNC 101, Duke 87<span style="font-size:85%;">First off, I want to dispel two rumors about this game: 1) that Duke had its first-half successes against the Tar Heel bench, and 2) that the Tar Heels stayed fresher toward the end of the game due to better bench use.<br /><br />As to the first, Carolina led 31-24 with 8:39 to play, and there was a ball knocked out of bounds. The Heels make a couple subs, and go with Lawson, Frasor, Green, Thompson, and Hansbrough. Hansbrough charges, then commits a defensive foul, then Scheyer hits a jumper. Another dead ball, and Ellington comes in for Green. Over the next 7 possessions, Duke goes on a 16-3 run to take a 6 point lead. So the Devils' big push came against 5 of the top 6 guys in the Tar Heel rotation. Larry Drew, Ed Davis, and Mike Copeland were not involved. During the first half, every Tar Heel but Thompson was in the minus column for +/- - Lawson was -4, Hansbrough -6. Interestingly enough, the 5 on the court for Duke's big run (Lawson, Frasor, Ellington, Thompson, Hansbrough) ended up being the five highest Tar Heels in +/- for the game.<br /><br />As to the second, if the Tar Heels were fresher at the end of the game, it had precisely zero to do with the minutes played last night. In the first half, Carolina's top 6 played 18 (Ellington), 16 (Lawson), 14 (Hansbrough), 14 (Thompson), 12 (Green), and 12 (Frasor). The other three guys combined for 14 minutes. In the first half, Duke's top 6 played 16 (Henderson), 16 (Singler), 15 (Scheyer), 15 (Paulus), 11 (Thomas), 10 (Smith). McClure and Zoubek combined for 17. The numbers for the second half are remarkably similar - in the same order, Carolina's top 6 played 16, 18, 19, 10, 12, and 15. Davis added 8, Drew 2. For Duke, in the same order, they played 18, 17, 18, 13, 9, 12. McClure added 11, Zoubek 2. There's no meaningful difference in the number of minutes played or the distribution of those minutes.<br /><br />Now that that's all out of the way, what happened last night was pretty simple: the better team won. When you put a very good team on the court with a very, very good team, and both play well, the very, very good team will win unless the very good team gets a couple breaks. Unfortunately for Duke, all the breaks seemed to go against them. There were, I thought, two key sequences to the game, and they occurred back-to-back. The first was when Lawson decided he wanted to take over, and single-handedly took the Heels on a 6-0 run that spread the lead from 3 to 9. He simply abused Paulus. I've always thought Lawson was great in the open court but only so-so in the half court - last night, he was legitimately great in both. The second sequence immediately followed. At that point, there was 6:38 showing on the clock - hardly an insurmountable time/score deficit. Duke subbed in Smith and McClure for Paulus and Thomas, going for defense and quickness. Coming out of the substitution, Smith threw a pass to a curling Scheyer, who was tripped/slipped - turnover. Carolina takes the ball, and Duke plays the best 30 seconds of defense it played all night. The Tar Heels were left with what was legitimately a desperation three from Hansbrough - that was so out of kilter from his normal shooting form, I thought it would be lucky to hit the backboard. Of course it goes in, UNC by 12. The next possession, Scheyer gets stripped going to the bucket. Lawson misses the break jumper, but gets the board. He pulls out, and Duke again plays great defense, forcing a difficult shot that misses. The rebound bounces around, gets tipped by several guys, finally Singler gets what looked like a good, easy shot to grab it, and he just fumbles it out of bounds. When Carolina resets the offense, Duke again gets a great defensive play from McClure, blocking what looked like a wide open 3 from Ellington. Then Smith fouls Lawson (I think non-shooting, but I don't remember for certain), two FTs good, and more importantly, 57 seconds off the clock. The very next play, Henderson slips on the floor and loses the ball out of bounds. The clock now shows 4:31, and Carolina is suddenly up 14. In that 2:07 span, Duke didn't get a shot off, and held the ball for just :37 (despite having 3 possessions to UNC's 2). Those two sequences were like a boxer's knockout combination. Lawson's three drives were jab, jab, jab, Tyler's three was the cross, and the <span style="font-style: italic;"></span>minute-long possession was the uppercut. Henderson's fall to the floor made it clear that the knockout was in at that point. (Ugh, enough boxing analogies).<br /><br />I certainly don't mean to suggest that Carolina won the game only because a couple bounces went their way - that's not true at all. They won the game because their offense was exceptional - it was the highest offensive rating posted against Duke since I started charting this stuff (admittedly, not long). My point is only that Duke needs a couple of bounces to go its way to beat the Heels when UNC is playing well, and last night, that most certainly did not happen. That second sequence could easily have been a 9-10 point swing in the other direction - if Hansbrough misses and Singler can grab the board, that's 5 away from the Heels; if Duke gets shots at the other end (and makes them) instead of slip-and-falls, that's 4-6 for the Devils, and it's a 5 point game with 5 minutes to play, rather than 14. But that's not the way it happened.<br /><br />Duke now has 7 games left in the regular season, 5 of which are on the road. The last four will be particularly tough - Blacksburg and College Park are not fun places for Duke teams to play, FSU can give the Devils all they can handle, and the there's that big ugly building a few miles down 15-501. The Devils really need to carry forward the offensive game they had last night, while recommitting at the defensive end (where they've been torched 2 of the last 3 games after wholly dominating teams all season).<br /><br />Here's the HD Box from last night - as a little bonus, I've also included the +/- for the Tar Heel players.<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='350' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrJXzTkmv9MISg&output=html&gid=24&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 110px; height: 144px;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> <col style="width: 20pt;" width="26"> <tbody><tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt; width: 48pt;" width="64" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ellington</span></td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 20pt;" width="26" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">19</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Lawson</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">15</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Hansbrough</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">14</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Thompson</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">13</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Frasor</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">7</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Davis</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">5</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Green</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">2</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Drew</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-1</span></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 11.25pt;" height="15"><span style="font-size:85%;">Copeland</span></td> <td class="xl63" align="right"><span style="font-size:85%;">-4</span></td> </tr> </tbody></table>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-82231624397540212432009-02-10T22:02:00.000-08:002009-02-10T23:11:31.631-08:00Meet the Tar Heels<span style="font-size:85%;">UNC comes to town tomorrow night, and while I know they don't generally need much introduction to Duke fans, I'm doing this for every team, so what the heck. UNC under Roy Williams has taken on the rep of an all offense no defense team. In the past, that reputation has been somewhat unfair. This year, however, Carolina has legitimately struggled on the defensive end in conference play. 5 of their 9 opponents, including 3 of the last 4, have scored more than a point per possession. They've been relatively torched by NC State and Maryland, two teams that are otherwise offensively challenged. Overall, Carolina's just 5th in overall defense, 5th in shooting defense, 9th in forcing turnovers, and dead last in steals. About the only thing they do well on defense is avoid fouls - their opponents get a smaller share of their scoring from the line than any team in the ACC.<br /><br />That said, their offense is exceptionally good. It's the best in ACC play be a healthy margin, and 2nd best in the country overall. They haven't scored less than a point per possession yet, and only FSU and Wake - two teams with <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot</span> of size - have really given them trouble from an offensive point of view. They thrive on offensive rebounding, getting to the line, and (somewhat surprisingly) three point shooting. When free throws are factored in, the Heels are the best shooting team in the ACC, leading the conference in PPWS.<br /><br />Carolina has 4 exceptional offensive performers - Ellington, Lawson, Green, and Hansbrough. They currently rank 1-4 in offensive rating in the conference and are all in the top 14 in points produced. Ellington has had a terrific conference season, averaging over 21 a game in his last six, and is shooting over 44% from downtown. Ellington hasn't had an offensive rating below 100 since December, and is on quite a mini-streak, going 179, 159, 139 in his last 3. As good as Ellingotn has been from outside, Lawson and Green have been better (if less frequent). Green is hitting 45.1% from 3 in conference play, and Lawson is 48.4%. Green has had surprising struggles from 2 (just over 42%) and is less prolific on the offensive glass than in prior seasons. Lawson, for his part, is back up at 3:1 assist/turnover ratio. After struggling early with turning the ball over, he's put 15 assists and zero turns in his past two games. He's the team's motor and barometer - in the losses to Wake and BC, he combined for just 19 points, 9 assists, and 8 turnovers on 7 of 25 shooting. Since then, his offensive ratings have been ridiculous - 185, 128, 127, 168, 112, 186, and 152.<br /><br />On the inside, Hansbrough again leads the way, consuming by far the greatest share of the Heels' possessions. He averages just about 21/game in conference play, bolstered largely by his 9.5 trips to the line each contest. He draws 8.6 fouls per 40 minutes of game time, which means that by his lonesome, he almost fouls out 2 guys per. He's struggling more from the field than he has in years past, shooting just 46.5% from 2 in conference play, but is still cleaning up on the offensive glass and getting to the line, keeping his efficiency high.<br /><br />As good as those four have been, the rest of the Tar Heel team really struggles on offense. Only Ed Davis has an offensive rating above 100, and it's entirely the product of his offensive rebounding. He hasn't been a strong shooter inside at all. He is an imposing presence down low, though, dominating the boards on both ends of the court and currently leading the conference in block rate. Deon Thompson has severely struggled in ACC play. He's just a 36% shooter, and does that even though the defense has to devote so much attention to the other 4 starters. In the backcourt, Bobby Frasor's outside shot has deserted him (he's 1-14 from downtown in the ACC) and he's had a bit of the turnover bug. He's still a solid perimeter defender, but has been a total non-threat on offense thus far this year. No one, however, can compare to Larry Drew for offensive futility. Drew's offensive rating is 62.30, good for last in the ACC. He turns it over nearly 50% of the possessions he uses, good for last in the ACC. And he's just a 33% shooter who has yet to hit from outside in ACC play.<br /><br />The Tar Heels are going to play fast - they again lead the conference in pace - and from the inside out. Injuries and poor play have essentially turned them into a four man team - Hansbrough, Ellington, Green, and Lawson score a collective 80% of the team's total points (not weighted for time on the court) while playing just 61% of the total minutes. The rest of the time has combined for just 158 points in conference play - that's fewer than Hansbrough (188) and Ellington (174) have on their own. Carolina is not a deep team, and is surprisingly ill equipped to weathering off nights from any of their big 4 (not that they've had to deal with many of those).<br /><br />I think the key to this game is going to be whether Duke can exploit Carolina's lackadaisical defense. The Heels will produce points - I think the best Duke can hope for is to hold them in the 1.00-1.05 point per possession range. But that's a level of efficiency Duke has produced on offense just once (against UVA) in the past 4 games. The Devils are going to have to win this one with offense. At the very least, this should be a heck of an effort from Duke. Hansbrough and Green are undefeated in Cameron (and Paulus is winless). It's been a long, long, long time since a Tar Heel graduating class has gone 4-0 at Duke, and you can bet this year's Devils are dying to prevent that from happening now.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-54542019076063040312009-02-08T14:33:00.000-08:002009-02-08T15:35:33.998-08:00Duke 78, Miami 75 (and a wrap from the Clemson game)<span style="font-size:85%;">There's obviously a lot of season to be played, and the team could very well make me look silly by coming out flat on Wednesday and getting run out of the building by the Heels, but there's a strong possibility that this team will look back to the second half and overtime of the Miami game as a turning point. Coming off of the debacle against Clemson, which was the lowest scoring output by Duke in this side of forever, the Devils managed to play <span style="font-style: italic;">even worse</span> on offense in the first half against Miami. The numbers are alm0st comically bad - 6 of 31 from the field, including just 2 of 15 from inside. Only 4 of 24 offensive rebounds. 19 points in 34 possessions. They started 1-4 in the second half, and it looked like it might be Clemson redux. And then McClure checked in for Thomas, and all of a sudden, for whatever reason, it clicked.<br /><br />Duke immediately went on a 20-4 run that tied things up at 42. Duke scored on 8 straight possessions thanks in part to improved shooting but also to a determination to hit the offensive glass and hit it hard. The Devils got 7 offensive rebounds in a row and held Miami to 7:30 minutes without a rebound on either end of the court. The effort that had been missing for the last three halves was back, and the Devils were once again working harder than their opponents and making plays because of it. In the second half and OT, Duke got 13 of 15 defensive rebounds and 14 of 28 offensive rebounds. They forced the Canes into 10 turnovers, and committed just 4. Most importantly, they got some offensive production, putting up 59 points in 42 possessions and walking away with a win.<br /><br />We've seen the lineup that may carry us the rest of the way this season - Paulus, Scheyer, Henderson, McClure, and Singler. Those guys played 34 of the last 37 possessions of the game, and outscored Miami 50-32 over that stretch. 4 guys - Singler, Scheyer, Henderson, and Paulus gave us big offensive contributions (although Singler's day was really inefficient). And McClure simply controlled the boards - 13 rebounds, including 7 offensive, in just 29 minutes.<br /><br />For Miami, Jack McClinton was ridiculous, with 34 points, including 5-6 threes (and the game tying shot at the end of regulation). Collins had a nice moment putting Paulus on a poster, but was otherwise completely neutralized. Again, the Canes couldn't force turnovers, and it really hurt them. Duke took 19 more shots from the field than Miami did, and on a day when they shot poorly, they needed every one of them to prevail. The Canes also struggled with turnovers of their own, coughing it up 19 times. It was a total team effort in that regard - 6 different players had multiple TOs during the game, including Dews, who "led" the way with 4 (marring an otherwise productive performance).<br /><br />So now Carolina comes to town, and despite the offensive problems Duke has had this year, they'll be playing UNC for first place outright. Hopefully the style of play we see is more second half, and less first - this team needs to be up and energetic for the Heels.<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='350' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrKCpwCXiqXJQQ&output=html&gid=23&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /><br />A brief recap from Wednesday. Obviously, the offense against Clemson was bad, but the backbreaking part of the game was how poorly the defense played. Coming out of halftime, Clemson scored on 10 of the first 14 posssessions, scoring 22 points and completely putting the game out of reach. In that stretch, Clemson simply abused Duke on the glass, picking up 6 of their 7 misses and turning them into scores. Trevor Booker had the best game I've ever seen him play. He had a 165 offensive rating and converted possessions into scored over 80% of the time. He hit a wide variety of shots, played active on the boards, picked up 3 blocks, and ran the point of the press very well. It was a virtuoso performance.<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='350' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrKilOMFO2gQAg&output=html&gid=22&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the ACC</span><br /><br />Carolina sleep-walked past Virginia 76-61. Jeff Jones and Sylven Landesberg turned in nice performances, but Virginia was just plain out-classed. Carolina particularly shut down the inside scoring, holding the Cavs to a woeful 13-43 from 2. For the Heels on offense, Ellington, Lawson, and Green led the way. They combined to hit 9-21 from downtown and picked up 17 assists against 2 turnovers. More troubling, the bench did nothing - 47 minutes, just 8 points and 5 turnovers.<br /><br />Clemson led 44-25 with 14:45 left in the game. They led 57-42 with 8:46 to go. And then the offense stopped. FSU finished the game on a 23-4 run. The Noles scored on 11 of the final 13 possessions, shocking the Tigers and picking up a very big road win. Solomon Alabi had a nice final 8 minutes, picking up a couple key blocks, a few key baskets, and 4 big rebounds. For the Tigers, Terrence Oglesby was instrumental in the collapse, missing 3 threes and committing a costly offensive foul. From where I sit, FSU is sitting safely in the #5 position in terms of bid likelihood in the ACC (behind UNC, Duke, Wake, and Clemson). They don't have a bad loss anywhere on the resume, and have shown that they can beat pretty much anyone they play (the losses to Duke, Pitt, and UNC were by a combined 21 points).<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-55575388794771462222009-02-07T08:35:00.000-08:002009-02-07T09:31:06.102-08:00Meet the Hurricanes<span style="font-size:85%;">Going into Wednesday night, Miami had the worst defense in conference play. Every team they had played scored at least a point per possession, and 5 posted offensive ratings of 110 or better. So <span style="font-style: italic;">of course</span> they were going to hold Wake Forest to 52 points in 68 possessions, by far the best Miami's looked on defense since November.<br /><br />Despite the Wake game, Miami is still a poor defensive team. They don't turn opponents over - 11th in the conference at just 17.4%. They don't block shots - also 11th in the conference. Teams score with relative ease against the Canes as well - they let opponents shoot .508 efg%, 9th in the conference. Despite all that, Miami is currently sitting at nearly .500 in conference play-with a very slightly positive efficiency margin-due to some very efficient offense. They score 1.0835 points per possession, 3rd in the conference. As with all Miami teams, they're highly active on the offensive board, collecting 40% of available offensive rebounds. And they're currently leading the league in shooting.<br /><br />Miami is paced by Jack McClinton. He's a very high efficiency scorer, putting up a 118 offensive rating in conference play while using nearly 30% of Miami's possessions. McClinton hits 43% of his 3s, a respectable 47% of his 2s, and 85% from the line. He's a dangerous offensive threat, and will almost certainly go for over 20 today (the key is making it an inefficient 20, but that's easier said than done. Joining him in the backcourt is Lance Hurdle. Hurdle's really struggled with his inside shot - just 11-39 from 2. He's also vulnerable to turnovers, losing the ball on 23% of his possessions. He's been a decent, but not dangerous, point guard.<br /><br />In the front court, Miami starts Dwayne Collins, Brian Asbury, and new addition to the lineup Adrian Thomas. Thomas has really played his way into a starting job. He's in double figures 5 of his last 8 games, hits 50% from 3 and 9 of 13 from 2, and gets after it on the offensive glass. His usage is relatively limited, but he has an exceptional 142 offensive rating (exactly what you want from a role player). Collins is doing exactly what he's always done - rebound, rebound, rebound. He's one of the best offensive rebounders in the conference, gathering over 15% of Miami's misses. Collins has battled foul trouble in his last couple games, but he's still a dangerous scorer inside when he can stay on the court (as Duke fans should remember). One thing he doesn't do is block shots - just 1 so far in ACC play. Asbury is a very inconsistent player - capable of 21 one night and 0 the next. Asbury has a tendency to bomb away from outside, which is good for opponents, since he's a sub-30% 3-point shooter. Asbury's also one of Miami's more active defenders, with the length and quickness to create both steals and blocks.<br /><br />Miami goes deep into the bench, with 9 guys getting at least 10 minutes a game in conference play. James Dews, a starter last year (and earlier this year) has really struggled with his shot, hitting just 6-28 from 3 in conference play. Jimmy Graham is a very good rebounder - over 10% on offense and over 30% on defense. He has 61 rebounds in 161 total ACC minutes, which translates to about 15 per 40. That's excellent. Cyrus McGowan, an Arkansas transfer, has also played his way from the starting lineup to the bench. He hasn't hit double figures since the Clemson game back in December, and has been turning the ball over too much. DeQuan Jones, a very highly touted recruit, has also seen his minutes cut in conference play, and with good reason - he has the lowest offensive rating of all Hurricanes.<br /><br />Miami is going to try to win this game with offense, and after being shredded by Clemson on Wednesday, Duke's defense will again be tested. Of course, hopefully Miami's defense (or lack thereof) helps Duke's offense get back in the swing of things as well.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-5833606819227636002009-02-03T23:46:00.000-08:002009-02-04T07:04:07.018-08:00Meet the Tigers<span style="font-size:85%;">Clemson has, for the most part, flown under the radar this year. That's what happens when you reach February 3 with a record of 18-2 and only one of those wins is against a top 25 team (Illinois, who was unranked at the time). The only time they've played opponents better than they are (Wake, UNC), they've lost by a combined 34 points. Fortunately for the Tigers, they only have two of those games left - end of the season at Wake Forest, and tonight against Duke. This team has 2006-2007 Virginia written all over it - that team tied for first in the ACC and picked up a 4 seed on the back of a very, very easy conference schedule, and being just good enough to win the games they should (which, when you think about it, is no mean feat). If Clemson can just take care of business against the teams below it in the conference, they'll be 26-4 (12-4) and staring at a 3 of 4 seed.<br /><br />Like always under Oliver Purnell, Clemson makes liberal use of the full court press (I think it's a 1-2-1-1, but am not positive). Raymond Sykes has stepped into the roll James Mays played, running the point of that press and using a long, lanky frame (think Lance Thomas with a lot more hair) to be disruptive in the back court. As usual, Clemson's press generates a lot of turnovers - 24% of opponents' possessions in conference play, good for third in the league behind FSU and Duke. Also like always, Clemson's field goal defense is not great - once the press is broken, Clemson is in the bottom half of the league in preventing baskets. This year, the Tigers have also struggled as a defensive rebounding team, letting opponents grab nearly 40% of their misses.<br /><br />On offense, Clemson's done a great job thus far avoiding the turnover. They lead the conference in lowest turnover percentage at 16.93%, and the end result in raw terms is that they commit 5 fewer turnovers a game than they create. That's essentially five free turns on offense every game, and since Clemson is a team that so far has been outshot by it's opponents, they're five very needed turns. On that shooting front, Clemson is 9th in efg% (.469) and 10th in PPWS, joining Georgia Tech and Maryland as the only teams in ACC play who don't get at least one point per weighted shot. Clemson has been particularly vulnerable inside, shooting a league-low .412 on their twos and getting blocked on a league-worst 10.86% of their shots. The free throw shooting, formerly the Tigers' Achilles heel, has been much improved this year. After two years in a row getting essentially no contribution from the free throw line, Clemson now picks up a respectable 19% of its points from the stripe and has hit 67.4% of its free throws (which is certainly not great, but a huge improvement after seasons in the 50s).<br /><br />Clemson is led by senior wing KC Rivers and junior forward Trevor Booker. Rivers leads the team with a 125.47 offensive rating in just about 20% usage (all numbers ACC play only). He's been deadly from 3, hitting 17 of his 28 attempts, including 7 of 10 last week against Virginia Tech. He also has a freakishly low turnover percentage, coughing it up just 8.9% of the time. For a guy used as frequently as he is, that's very, very good. Booker has found the ACC to be a bit more of a struggle. He leads the team in minutes and is the focus of the offense inside, but has shot just 44% from 2 and hasn't been collecting offensive rebounds with the frequency he has in the past. Booker's offensive rating is just barely over 100, which is in the lower half of performers in league play.<br /><br />Taking an increasingly bigger role in the offense is sophomore shooting guard Terrence Oglesby. If there's one thing you can count on tonight, it's that he will take many 3s. He averages almost 7 a game, and took 13 each against UNC and Georgia Tech. His shooting's been just ok - 34% from 3 and a subpar 36% from 2 - but like Rivers, he's been freakishly good at avoiding turnovers, so his offensive rating is a respectable 112.11. Of course, it's rather easy to avoid coughing the ball up when your role on offense consists largely of "catch, shoot, repeat." Oglesby is joined in the backcourt by Demontez Stitt, who has found the ACC no easier his second time around. Stitt has struggled with his shot, posting a .327 efg%, which is in the bottom 10 in the league, and is not at all a threat from outside. Unlike Rivers and Oglesby, he turns the ball over with some frequency, coughing it up 22% of the time he uses a possession. He is clearly the weakest link in the starting 5, and may be particularly vulnerable tonight against a Duke defense that has not made life easy on opposing point guards. Rounding out the starting five is Raymond Sykes, who is a voracious offensive rebounder (3rd in the league among qualifying players at 15.63%). However, he, like the rest of the Tigers, otherwise struggles with his inside game, shooting under 50% from 2 and turning it over with abundance - 2.5/game in just 20 minutes/game of playing time.<br /><br />One area where Clemson is strong is the bench. They go 9 deep in every game, and have a well-distributed set of bench players - Andre Young to backup the point, Tanner Smith to play the 2/3, David Potter to play the 3/4, and Jerai Grant down low. Young has proven no steadier a hand than Stitt, turning it over on 29% of his possessions and posting a team low 85.96 offensive rating (wildly obvious observation - when your two point guards are your two worst offensive players, you're not going to have a highly effective offense). Tanner Smith takes good care of the ball and hits open shots from 3 (he won't really take a contested look), but does little else. David Potter is good for leaving 1s and 2s everywhere in the box score - he'll get one or two offensive and defensive rebounds, a couple assists, a couple steals, and a couple shots. He's also one of the Tigers' best on-ball defenders, and gets the most minutes off the bench. Finally, Jerai Grant has taken a big leap forward this year. He rebounds with the same tenacity of Sykes on the offensive end and is a presence inside on defense, blocking 7.4% of opponents' shots, best in the league.<br /><br />Clemson's biggest test tonight will be making shots against the Duke defense. Only Andre Young hits at least 50% from 2 (and he's just 5-10) and 5 of the 9 guys in the rotation are below 40%. Duke has been the hardest team to score on from 2 so far this season, holding opponents to just 40.8%. This does not seem to bode well for Clemson. The turnover battle will be another key factor to watch - both teams are in the top 4 in both forcing turnovers and protecting the ball on their own end. Last season, the team with fewer turnovers won each game; we'll see if that trend can continue tonight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Around the ACC</span><br /><br />UNC's offense is very good. They've had back-to-back performances of 130 offensive ratings. Four of their starters have offensive ratings of 124 or better <span style="font-style: italic;">in conference play</span> - they're 1st (Ellington), 2nd (Lawson), 4th (Hansbrough), and 6th (Green), and if you limit it to players who use at least 20% of possessions, they go 1-2-3-4. But yikes does this team not play defense. 5 conference opponents have topped a point per possession and the last two - NC State and Maryland, the 9th and 10th rated offenses in the conference - hit nearly 110 offensive ratings. Also, they're really no longer a deep team. With the announcement that Ginyard will take a medical hardship year and Graves will be suspended, suddenly the bench consists of Ed Davis, Larry Drew, and Bobby Frasor. Hard not to say "what if" about this season if you're a Carolina fan; losing Ginyard and Zeller for the year totally transformed this team from clear favorite for the title to one of a handful of very good teams that <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> win. But they're suddenly vulnerable to foul trouble and tired legs, because they lack the talent on the bench they were supposed to have in abundance.<br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21097386.post-71195362147414605802009-02-02T22:59:00.000-08:002009-02-03T00:06:18.915-08:00Duke 79, Virginia 54<span style="font-size:85%;">Duke shot out to an early 22-point lead, and then essentially coasted the rest of the way. From the time it hit 34-12, the lead stayed in a narrow range, going between 16 and 27 the rest of the way (and in the second half, the range was even smaller - Virginia never got closer than 21, and 27 was the biggest lead). Again, defense led the way. Duke put on stifling ball pressure, forcing the Cavaliers into 17 turnovers in 38 possessions - that's 45%, almost every other time down the court. 7 came in the first 10 possessions alone. One of the hallmarks of the Duke defense is that it makes teams play faster than they want to; freshmen are particularly vulnerable to that. Virginia's freshman backcourt got going way, way too fast, and coughed the ball up like crazy.<br /><br />On offense, Gerald Henderson's multi-faceted scoring attack continues to shine. He had 14 before Virginia had a dozen. He had an extremely efficient 18 points, and hit shots in a variety of fashions - dunks, jumpers off the dribbles, spot up 3s. His game is becoming more complete by the day. Scheyer got a little bit of his shot back, nailing 3 of 5 threes. He was also extremely active on the offensive glass. Speaking of the boards, Duke had a pretty dominant defensive rebounding performance (20 of 28, 71.4%), but did it without anyone getting more than 3. Seven different players had either 2 or 3 defensive rebounds. All season it's been a team effort on the glass, and yesterday's game was perhaps the most emblematic of that.<br /><br />The biggest positive from yesterday, though, was the play of Nolan Smith. He was aggressive, constantly working to get into the lane for layups and pull-ups. He kept getting good shots, finishing 6-8 for 2 and 1-2 from 3. His ability to penetrate on a consistent basis will give this team a much needed weapon to compliment Henderson, Singler, and Scheyer. Hopefully he can carry his outlook from this game into the last half of the ACC. Here's the HD Box:<br /><br /><iframe width='700' height='350' frameborder='0' src='http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=paRyJTSxDWrLDXzkBvEXRZg&output=html&gid=21&single=true&widget=true'></iframe><br /></span>Paul Ruganihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17487406071512717216noreply@blogger.com0