Duke will not head to Greensboro for a practice but they will get in early enough to get some shots in before their opening game versus the winner of today's Boston College-Virginia game. BDN caught up to Duke junior Nolan Smith for his thought son the ACC Tournament and the UNC game.
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Durham, N.C. - Thanks to a bye, the Duke Blue Devils will not play until the second day of Friday session of the Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Tournament. BDN caught up with Blue Devil senior Jon Scheyer and here ae his thoughts on the coming tournament.
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Durham, N.C. - Duke senior center Brian Zoubek addressed the media and answered questions about the upcoming ACC Tournament. BDN was on the scene and here are Zoubeks comments.
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Game 32
1-Seed Duke (26-5, 13-3 ACC) vs. 8-Seed Boston College / 9-Seed Virginia winner
Friday, March 12, 2010 • 12:00 p.m. • Raycom / ESPN
Greensboro Coliseum (23,500) • Greensboro, N.C.
The Opening Tip
Duke (26-5, 13-3 ACC) faces the winner of Thursday’s game between Boston College and Virginia in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on Friday, March 12, at 12:00 p.m.
The Blue Devils enter the ACC Tournament ranked fourth in the AP and ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls.
The game will air locally on Raycom with Tim Brandt and Dan Bonner on the call. Dan Shulman, Len Elmore and Erin Andrews will call the action for ESPN’s national broadcast.
The Last Time Out
Duke is coming off a 32-point win over North Carolina on Saturday, March 6. Kyle Singler (25), Jon Scheyer (20) and Nolan Smith (20) each scored over 20 points in the contest, marking the first time since the 2001-02 season that a Blue Devil trio to accomplish that feat.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 53-26 halftime lead and cruised to an 82-50 win for Duke’s second-largest margin of victory in the series.
Scheyer and Smith combined for 40 points, nine rebounds, 12 assists and zero turnovers in the victory. Senior Brian Zoubek finished 4-of-4 from the floor for eight points to go along with a game-high 13 rebounds. The Blue Devils also shot a season-best 95.7 percent (22-of-23) from the foul line in the win over North Carolina.
Duke as the No. 1 Seed in the ACC Tournament
Duke is the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament for the 17th time in school history. The Blue Devils are 34-8 all-time as the top seed, winning championships in 1963, 1964, 1966, 1986, 1992, 1999, 2000 and 2006. Duke has won 14 of its last 15 games as the top seed in the tournament.
Numbers Game
l Duke has won eight of the last 11 ACC Tournament championships, posting a 29-3 mark since the 1999 tournament.
l The Blue Devils have won 84 ACC Tournament games, tied for the most in league history.
l Duke is ranked fourth in the AP poll, marking the 54th consecutive week ranked in the top 10. The Blue Devils are 44-8 all-time when ranked fourth in the AP poll.
l Jon Scheyer leads the ACC in three statistical categories and is the only player in the league to rank in the top 5 in seven categories: scoring (third, 18.9 ppg.), assists (fourth, 5.2 apg.), free throw percentage (first, .889), three-point field goals (first, 2.9 3pg.), three-point field goal percentage (third, .399), assist-to-turnover ratio (first, 3.0:1) and minutes (second, 36.5 mpg.).
l Brian Zoubek is averaging 7.3 points and 11.0 rebounds (5.0 orpg.) while shooting 71.0 percent (22-of-31) from the field since joining the starting lineup seven games ago. He has grabbed 10+ rebounds in four of the last five games and in five of seven games as a starter. Zoubek is second in the ACC in offensive rebounds (3.5 orpg) and tied for eighth in total rebounds (7.3 rpg.).
l Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler are attempting to become just the third trio in Duke history to each average over 17.0 points per game. Jim Spanarkel, Mike Gminski and Gene Banks accomplished the feat in 1977-78, while Jason Williams, Carlos Boozer and Mike Dunleavy did the same in 2001-02.
l Junior Nolan Smith is two points shy of becoming the 60th player in Duke history with 1,000 career points. Smith has 511 points and 14 games with 20 or more points this year after combining for 487 points and one game with 20 or more points in his first two seasons as a Blue Devil.
l The Blue Devils lead the ACC in rebound margin at +6.1 and are 22-2 on the year when outrebounding the opposition. Duke last led the league in rebounding in 1989.
l Duke has had fewer than 10 turnovers in four straight games and is averaging just 11.1 turnovers per game for the season. Duke has never averaged fewer than 12.0 turnovers per game under Coach K.
l Kyle Singler is averaging 20.7 points, while shooting 40.7 percent (15-of-37) from three-point range over the last six games. He has scored 20 or more points in four of the last six contests.
l Lance Thomas was named to the Fan’s Guide Coaches’ All-Defense team, becoming the 20th Blue Devil selected in the 15 years of the team.
l The Blue Devils have won 11 straight games when leading at the half. Duke is 23-1 when entering halftime with the lead.
Checking in on ...
#2 Nolan Smith - +9.2 ppg. increase from a year ago is second-best in the ACC ... shooting a career-best 40.4 percent from three-point range ... fourth in the ACC with 14 games with 20+ points scored ... double figures in 27 of 29 games played
#5 Mason Plumlee - Second on the team with 21 dunks ... fourth with 21 blocks
#12 Kyle Singler - Five double-doubles and six games with 10+ rebounds ... averaged 18.3 points per game in league play ... led the ACC with .415 three-point percentage in conference play ... third in three-point field goals per game at 2.4 threes per game
#20 Andre Dawkins - Fourth on the team with 33 three-point field goals ... shooting 38.8 percent from three-point range
#21 Miles Plumlee - Leads the team with 29 dunks ... shooting 57.5 percent (69-of-120) from the field
#30 Jon Scheyer - 20+ points in seven of the last 12 games ... ranks in the top 10 of the ACC in eight statistical categories ... leads the league in free throw percentage, three-point field goals and assist-to-turnover ratio ... tied for second in the ACC with 15 games with 20 or more points ... three-time ACC Player of the Week
#34 Ryan Kelly - 14 blocked shots ... played in 29 of 31 games
#42 Lance Thomas - Tied for team lead with 12 charges taken ... 5 or more rebounds in 15 games ... 1 of 4 Blue Devils averaging at least 5.0 rebounds per game
#55 Brian Zoubek - Four or more offensive rebounds 14 times ... averaging 17.1 rebounds per 40 minutes played ... nine double-figure rebounding games
Durham, N.C. - The Blue Devil Nation was on hand for today's media press conference where we recorded Kyle Singler's thoughts on the coming ACC Tournament. Singler also addressed his future saying he was undecided on whether he would return to Duke for his senior season.
Hear it for yourself on BDN audio -
March Madness has arrived and first up is the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Greensboro. I'll display my bias as a native North Carolinian up front by commenting the ACC Tournament always seems to be were it belongs when being hosted by a city in the Old North State. Not to slight Georgia, but “Atlanta” and “ACC Tournament” are not words which naturally flow together in a sentence describing this venerable event. The same can be said for St. Petersburg and Washington, D.C.
The tournament is about the haves and the have nots. The haves this year are: Duke (1), Maryland (2), Florida State (3), and Virginia Tech (4). The four teams who receive a 1st Round bye on Thursday have the best odds to win it all as they only have to win three straight games. Since the tournament expanded to include 11 teams in 2005 and then 12 teams in 2006, the #1 seed has won three times and the #3 seed has won twice. All five years the tournament was won by either Duke or North Carolina.
The have nots are: Miami (12), NC State (11), North Carolina (10), and Virginia (9). On the surface, these four teams have not a prayer of winning four straight games and earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament to represent the ACC as conference champions. However, this is the ACCT and strange events have transpired in the past.
For instance, back in 1983, number four seed NC State defeated number five seed Wake Forest, 71-70; then beat number one seed North Carolina, with Michael Jordan, 91-84, followed by an 81-78 defeat of number two seed Virginia with Ralph Sampson. The ACC Tournament run fueled the “Cardiac Pack” to their run to the National Championship.
In 1976, sixth seed Virginia defeated number three seed NC State, 75-63; then beat number two seed Maryland, 73-65, followed by a 67-62 defeat of number one seed North Carolina. This tournament was in the years between the departure of South Carolina and the addition of Georgia Tech so there were only seven teams participating in the tournament.
In between the haves and have nots is the muddy middle, including: Wake Forest (5), Clemson (6), Georgia Tech (7), and Boston College (8). These teams have a better chance to achieve success than the have nots, due to their somewhat superior track record during the regular season, however, winning four consecutive games is a tall order especially considering the inconsistency associated with these muddy middle ball clubs.
Taking a look at the haves:
Duke (26-5, 13-3): the Blue Devils are playing some very good basketball headed into the post season having won nine of their last 10 games including going a perfect 8-0 in the month of February. Duke is paced by first team All-ACC performers Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler, and second team All-ACC performer Nolan Smith. The Blue Devils fourth starter is Lance Thomas a member of the All-Defensive Team. Brian Zoubek completes the starting line-up. Zoubek has been a dominant inside player since being inserted into the starting line-up the past seven games averaging 11.3 rebounds and 7.3 points per game.
With three seniors and two juniors in the starting line-up, Duke is the most experienced team in the tournament. With four of the five named to one of the All-ACC teams, the Blue Devils have proven to be as skilled as they are experienced. Duke was 3-1 in games against the other bye teams.
Duke will face the winner of the Boston College (8)/Virginia (9) game. The Blue Devils were a combined 3-0 against these two teams during the regular season.
Maryland (24-7, 13-3): the Terrapins earned a share of the ACC regular season title with an exciting 79-72 victory over Duke on March 3rd. Greivis Vasquez is the heart and soul of this team. The ACC Player of the Year plays the game with a solid combination of fiery leadership and icy skill. Maryland will go as far as Mr. Fire and Ice Vasquez takes them and all the way to the championship is a distinct possibility for the Terrapins. ACC Coach of the Year Gary Williams has Maryland running like a fine oiled machine as the Terrapins have won seven games in a row since losing to Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 13th.
Seniors Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne are solid players who bring experience and skill onto the court. Hayes, an outstanding shooter, averages 11 points per game, while shooting .456 on 3-point field goals. Hayes also has an A/TO ratio of 2.4, which is second in the ACC behind Scheyer. Milbourne averages 12.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.
Sophomore Sean Mosley averages 10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. ACC All-Rookie Team performer Jordan Williams rounds out the starting five by averaging 9.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. Williams provides the Terrapins with a strong inside presence. Maryland was 4-1 in games against the other bye teams.
Maryland will face the winner of the Georgia Tech (7)/North Carolina (10) game. The Terrapins were a combined 2-0 against these two teams during the regular season.
Florida State (22-8, 10-6): Defense is the Seminoles calling card. They lead the ACC in scoring defense giving up only 60.2 points per game. Sophomores Solomon Alabi and Chris Singleton were named Third Team All-ACC performers and to the ACC All-Defensive Team. Michael Snaer was named to the ACC All-Rookie Team.
The Seminoles have won seven of their last ten games including four conference wins on the road at Boston College, Virginia, North Carolina, and Miami. Florida State was 1-3 against the other bye teams. They defeated Virginia Tech and lost to Duke once and Maryland twice.
Florida State will face the winner of the Clemson (6)/NC State (11) game. The Seminoles were a combined 0-3 against these two teams during the regular season. It could be a short tournament for Florida State.
Virginia Tech (23-7, 10-6): the Hokies definitely benefited from an easy conference schedule as they played each of the other bye teams only once each and lost all three games. Virginia Tech’s 10 conference wins include two wins over number 11 seed NC State, two wins over number nine seed Virginia, one win over number 12 seed Miami, and one win over number 10 seed North Carolina.
The Hokies have the league’s leading scorer in unanimous First Team All-ACC performer Malcolm Delaney. Dorenzo Hudson was named Third Team All-ACC.
Virginia Tech will face the winner of the Wake Forest (5)/Miami (12) game. The Hokies were a combined 2-1 against these two teams during the regular season.
Moving on to the muddy middle:
Wake Forest (5) and Clemson (6) are both teams with the potential to make some noise in the tournament. If they can win on Thursday, against Miami (12) and NC State (11) respectively, they will face teams in the Quarterfinals on Friday with which they match-up nicely.
Wake Forest versus Virginia Tech is an intriguing game. The Hokies defeated the Demon Deacons in Blacksburg, 87-83. The loss to Virginia Tech started a four game slide for Wake Forest. With the slide ended via a 70-65 win over Clemson, it isn’t hard to envision the Demon Deacons advancing to the Semi-Finals.
Clemson versus Florida State is a game where the lower seeded Tigers will be favored to win. Clemson defeated Florida State twice in the regular season. Beating a team three times in one season is often difficult to achieve but it is much better going into the so called “rubber match” as the 2-0 team rather than being the 0-2 team.
Georgia Tech (7) is desperately in need of a couple of wins to secure an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. If they lose to North Carolina (10) on Thursday, the only dancing the Yellow Jackets will be doing is in the NIT. With the Tar Heels reeling from their total beat-down at the hands of the Duke Blue Devils, the relevant question is whether or not North Carolina shows up ready to play. If the Tar Heels show up, it would not be surprising to see them knock off the Yellow Jackets and send Paul Hewitt job hunting.
Boston College (8) should handle Virginia (9) who is without leading scorer Sylvan Landesberg who was kicked off the team due to failing to meet academic responsibilities. However, the Cavaliers gave Maryland a battle in the last game of their regular season so nothing is guaranteed for the Eagles.
Discussing the muddy middle covered the have nots as well so let’s move on and discuss tournament expectations. First off, I expect there will be some upsets. The higher seeded teams will not win every game; however, a Duke (1) versus Maryland (2) Championship Game is a strong likelihood. In fact, I will go on record and state I expect Duke versus Maryland in the Championship Game.
Which higher seeded teams will lose? I expect Georgia Tech will lose to North Carolina; Florida State will lose to Clemson, and Virginia Tech will lose to Wake Forest.
Which team is going to win it all? Well, let’s not get carried away…I’ll make that prediction when the Semi-Finals are in the books.
Enough talk, let’s tip the ball and get on with the games….
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