clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

ACC Roundup

By DBR Archives

The only ACC game Friday night saw FSU take on Louisiana-Monroe, winning
85-62.

Saturday's games have a bit more promise. Wake and Elon is meaningless,
of course, as is Sacred Heart and B.C., unless there is an upset and then they
go from cupcakes to catastrophes. Miami is 4-3 and really can't afford a
loss to Birmingham Southern.

The other two games are very interesting indeed.

Clemson faces off with hated rival South Carolina, a rivalry the rest of the
ACC has basically forgotten about, but which is still white-hot down there.

And Kentucky brings a stout defense to their matchup with UNC.

UNC has been very impressive for a young team which lost so much from last
year, but Kentucky is a different kettle of fish.

The Wildcats are not as big as you might think, and have played a small
lineup with 6-8 Rekalin Sims at center.

The bigger issue for UNC is not size but defense: Kentucky has been a great
defensive team under Tubby Smith, and Rajon Rondo is a tremendous defender. If
he disrupts their offense enough, it could be a long day for the Heels.

Then again, this is a great chance for UNC to establish big momentum.
Beating Kentucky at Kentucky would be huge for a young team still trying to form
an identity.

Of course, Roy Williams isn't the first UNC coach to take a team into
Lexington at a critical juncture. Dean Smith took one of his early teams
there and upset Adolph Rupp's team, which went a long way towards establishing
his credibility.

Roy Williams doesn't have to worry about that. But his young team would
come out of Lexington sky-high if they pull this off.

More From Duke Basketball Report