ACC Roundup & Challenge Predictions!

In Raleigh, State has fired Chuck Amato. As was the case when they ran
Herb Sendek out of town, they're dreaming of a major hire, thinking they can
lure Bill Cowher from the Steelers. After that hope is dashed, unless
Cowher takes a major paycut, the cycle will repeat itself and State will settle for someone who is not well-known or accomplished. State fans these
days are pretty delusional.

• Pack
  fires Amato
• Dascenzo:
  In the end, the Wolfpack just didn't win enough

On Monday, the ACC-Big Ten Challenge kicks off, with Michigan at N.C. State. We
normally would pull for Tommy Amaker, and if his team wins we'll be happy, but
conference pride has us pulling for State. But with only six players,
basically, and relying on walk-ons as reserves, it's hard to see how State
pulls it off. But give Sidney Lowe credit - he's managed to improve
recruiting almost overnight, and while he hasn't yet shown he's an x-and-o
equal to Herb Sendek, he is already a superior motivator. No daytight
compartments for El Sid!

Michigan is going to present challenges,
though. For one, their roster is 11 deeper than State's. Only 13 are
on scholarship, but at a school like Michigan, the walk-ons are likely to be
pretty darned good. Odds are they'd do well at State. They've also got
four guys over 6-10, which is another challenge for State.

It'd be an
impressive win, albeit an unlikely one, should State pull it off.

We'll be pulling for the ACC, but the matchups are pretty tough.

Maryland
takes on the Illini on Tuesday. Illinois has struggled to recruit elite
talent, but Bruce Weber has proven himself as a fine coach of whom you can
certainly say he doesn't cheat, or at least if he does, he doesn't do it very
well. He's a bit odd at times, but he's an honorable man as far as we can
tell, and we're guessing that he knows the way to frustrate a Gary Williams team
is to make it stop and think on offense. Don't turn the ball over or rush
shots, and you've just about got the Terps figured out. Maryland may have an
edge in talent, but don't be shocked if they get outsmarted. Again.

We're
not expecting much out of FSU. Wisconsin is probably a bit irritated about
losing to the school formerly known as Southwest Missouri State, and so far, FSU
hasn't shown very much.

We'll deal with Duke and IU separately
tomorrow.

Georgia Tech should handle Penn State, one would hope, and Miami
certainly is capable of beating Northwestern, although Bill Carmody is a master
of the Princeton offense, and that can mess with people. Leonard Hamilton
is trying to install a new offense. We wouldn't put this one in the ACC
column just yet.

Given the wretched way B.C. has started the season, we'd call
a win over Michigan State a considerable upset. They did play well against
Rhode Island, but when that's your high point, things are not going well.

Virginia
and Purdue are both rebuilding programs, but we think UVa is a bit further
along. They're going to view this game as a big opportunity and a win will
go a long ways towards establishing them as a legitimate power.

After
Virginia Tech's weak start, we don't have much faith in the Hokies. On the
other hand, Steve Alford's bunch has lost three straight and could fall to 2-4
if they lose in Blacksburg. Now that's motivation. Both teams
have stunk so far, but we'll take Iowa.

Everyone would have taken Ohio
State if Greg Oden was healthy. We think they're fairly talented without
him, and they play with great intensity. UNC is still working on
that. Plus we're betting OSU's defense is on a higher level.

By
our count, that's 6-5, advantage Big Ten.

• Sims
  leads U-M to seventh straight victory
• U.Va.'s
  Cain ready to deal with success, winning
• UPDATE:
  Purdue leaves Hawaii pleased with 2-1 record
• Sun
  Devils burn Hawkeyes
• Complete
  blowout for UVa
• Michigan
  gets first real test tonight
• Forward
  Smith expected to play Tuesday
• Cavaliers'
  Cain gets the point
• Disney trip not magical for Tech