Is it us or has there been more controversy and anger than usual this year in the ACC?
Start with the UNC football investigation and the anger many still have towards the university, then go on to the Miami scandal and Nevin Shapiro's goal of taking Miami football down with him. Then you can hit expansion. From there you can go to the Karl Hess imbroglio which continues in Atlanta, the State fans who were pushing to leave for the SEC (they might ask what they have to offer before going), conspiracy theories involving John Swofford, late suspensions of Reggie Johnson and Durand Scott...we're sure there's more, we just can't remember it right now.
Oh, yeah: Mark Gottfried hacked off UVa by arguing that State should get a bid in their place because they played a tougher schedule.
Scott, Miami's most reliable performer, was deemed ineligible for receiving illicit benefits. It was terrible timing and the loss, partly due to his absence, might cost Miami an NCAA bid.
Michael Snaer scored 20 for FSU, while Luke Loucks and Bernard James added 14 each. Ian Miller came off the bench to add 18.
Earlier in the day, John Henson took a hard fall on his left wrist and was in obvious pain. He tried to play again later but gave up after less than a minute.
James Michael McAdoo played well in his absence, hitting for 15 points and eight rebounds. Kendall Marshall racked up 12 assists and broke the ACC's single-season assist record.
On Saturday, they'll see a somewhat different State than they saw during the regular season: whatever doldrums hit the Pack seem to be gone, although depth is still a problem and they'll almost certainly have to win on grit. Absolutely critical: they have to stay out of foul trouble.
CJ Leslie had an MVP-type game, shooting 9-11, pulling down 14 boards and even getting three assists, which is not his forte.
Mike Scott had 23 points and 10 boards in his tournament farewell. Akil Mitchell had 12 points and 10 boards, while Joe Harris, bad hand or no, hit for 18. Jontel Evans and Sammy Zeglinski combined for 13 more. No one else scored.
So on to Saturday: we never pick against Duke, but FSU's going to be a load. They're also the only team to make the semifinals without a previously limited rotation or a serious late injury.
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