ACC Roundup

Virginia Tech, already in deep at 0-6 in the conference, is up against it
Saturday against Wake Forest: Forward Deron Washington was suspended for
the game by A.D. Jim Weaver, and center Coleman Collins has gone home where his
father will likely die within the next few days. And reserve Shawn Harris
has gone home for his grandmother's funeral.

So they are taking on Wake, in Joel, with no frontcourt. Unless Tech
comes up with one of those insanely inspired games you see from time to time,
maybe like Loyola Marymount in the NCAA Tournament after Hank Gathers died, Wake
should move to 2-5 in the conference.

Should is the key word. There is some pressure here for the Deacs: if
they lose, basically, the season is over. If they win, though, they could
go off on a nice little win streak if things go well: they'll go to Miami
next, then Virginia, a tough home game against B.C., but they match up well
against the Eagles, then out of conference to play Charlotte. Three of
four of those are games Wake can definitely win, and B.C. isn't out of the realm
of the possible.

Wake will go to Duke after that stretch, then UNC, and they close out
with Clemson, Georgia Tech, B.C. again, and State at home. We say they can
win nine of those games if things go their way, and that would put them in the
tournament.

But Virginia Tech is critical. If they can't win against a crippled
squad, twice-crippled with Coleman and Washington out, they should just make
plans for the NIT now.

Maryland also steps out for a date with Temple. We have no idea what to
expect in this one. Dean Smith always said that when a team loses a
player, they are a tough win the game after, but that after that, it's easier to
beat them. So Dean picks Temple!

And of course, UNC faces Arizona in a non-conference tilt. If you haven't
watched Arizona much over the years, they are somewhat reminiscent of a Dean
Smith-type team, with smart point guard play and solid defense. But like
Smith's later teams, individualism has crept in and corrupted a once-great
team-first program.

• Arizona
  no 'break' for UNC
• UNC
  notebook: My place or yours?
• Tar
  Heels to play Wildcats today
• DIS-MAYED:
  Knee problems have sabotaged the rookie season for May, and the high hopes
  the Bobcats had
• Williams reaping
  the rewards from years of sweat
• Cats,
  Tar Heels craving national respect
• Cats vs.
  Heels has big-time game feel
• Decision
  a tough one, but it's right
• Tech
  suspends Washington 1 game
• Clemson
  could be worst-shooting team from line in ACC history
• Struggling
  Deacons, Hokies to square off
• 'Garyland'
  is a revival, not a starting point
• Hokies,
  Deacs battle to stay out of ACC cellar