ACC Roundup

As it turned out, Saturday's games, with the exception of UNC/Virginia, were all exciting and entertaining.

As for UNC, consider this: in his last two games, starting both, PJ Hairston has scored 52 points.

In the previous six, he scored 73.

Looks like starting agrees with him.

UNC played better too, scoring the most they've scored this season since playing McNeese State.

Joe Harris had 27 for Virginia, which we believe is a new career high. It's also a third of UVa's total, which is not what Tony Bennett would prefer.

Although BC is just 11-14, we think you'll agree that the Eagles have moved from being a patsy to being very competitive, particularly at home.

On Saturday they went to Florida State and lost by just three. Keep in mind that they have one senior, one junior, seven sophomores and four freshmen. The Eagles haven't landed, but they are definitely getting there.

Interestingly, for the first time in ACC play this season, FSU's Michael Snaer topped 20 points.

Wake has had some tough luck, but it doesn't get much worse than this: they've lost two games this week by four points.

They were leading by three with 1:21 left. But with Tech leading by one, Wake first saw a pass get knocked out of bounds. Then they got it back in again with 1.7 left, but the play didn't go as planned, and Devin Thomas got the shot.

At this point in his career, a 17-footer at the buzzer may be asking a bit much. He's been great as a freshman, but he is a freshman after all and not much of a shooter yet.

If Wake had been more organized, someone else would have taken that shot.

We were very surprised that Virginia Tech hung with State into overtime - would never have guessed that.

Whenever you have a guy like Erick Green, who can get 30 with no problem, you have a good base to start with. And it's not like he's a hog; he's doing what his team needs to have a chance to succeed.

Jarrell Eddie and Marshall Wood also scored in double figures with 17 and 14 respectively.

Lorenzo Brown, getting over an ankle injury, played 42 minutes and scored 15 points. Richard Howell had 10 points and 16 boards. CJ Leslie added 16 points and nine boards.

Tyler Lewis had 13 while TJ Warren tossed in 12.

Here's a reasonable question: is Lewis now outplaying Rodney Purvis? Purvis is probably a more effective defender, but since getting his chance, Lewis has really given State a boost offensively.

The State persecution complex almost got a big nudge as Virginia Tech got away with a lane violation with five seconds left. Eddie tipped the ball in to put the game in overtime.

Things might've gotten ugly in Raleigh if State had lost.

In the Sunday night ACC game, Clemson welcomes Miami to Littlejohn. They are capable of inspired play at home, but Miami might be a tough hill to climb.

We've heard for sometime that Clemson's Milton Jennings had some serious issues to deal with. It's not the sort of thing you really say, but we hear things. For the first time we can remember, he discusses his sorrows with Ron Morris. It's a sad but very moving piece.