ACC Roundup - State Falls Apart, But Virginia Tech Earns Immense Respect

You almost have to feel sorry for State: the Wolfpack had an 18-point lead on the #8 team in the country and even had five with 1:16 left but still couldn't close the deal. Notre Dame had a tip-in to get the game into overtime and won 81-78.

For whatever reason, Mark Gottfried elected to start Cody Martin for Anthony Barber. Based on how State played for most of the game, it was a good move.

For State fans who still expect the worst, the last few games have justified their Charlie Brown-and-the-football worries.

After the big win over Duke, State has now lost tight games to UNC, Miami and the Irish. The Pack has only managed to beat FSU in that stretch.

Something similar happened in Blacksburg: Virginia Tech played a brilliant, passionate game against #2 and undefeated Virginia, winning until the last few minutes.

Then Virginia took over, came back and dispatched the Hokies.

But it was different in this regard: State could reasonably go toe-to-toe with the Irish. Virginia Tech had absolutely no business in a game with Virginia. The talent disparity is ridiculous, Virginia Tech has no, depth, no height and its best player is out with a concussion.

After the game, Buzz Williams said that Virginia played like an undefeated team while his team played like one that hasn't won a game in 2015. Okay, but his team was brilliant in defeat. It was an astonishing performance. Tech fans should tell them so all week.

No big surprise that Louisville beat Pitt, but the Panthers did make a game out of it towards the end. But Louisville, a team that has struggled to shoot all season, hit 65% against the Panthers. Combine that with a reliable defense and Pitt would have had to have played really well to pull that game out.

It just wasn't in the Cards - or perhaps, actually it was.

Terry Rozier had 26 to lead the 'Ville.

This was supposed to be a year which saw Georgia Tech make a move. Doesn't look like it's going to happen.

BC beat Tech by two, 64-62, behind a great game by Olivier Hanlan, who scored 25.

The loss drops Tech to 0-7 in conference play, and it's fair to ask if Brian Gregory is on the hot seat.

It's not like Tech isn't competing - this year everyone is competing. It's just tougher.

Monday night is a good example: both UNC and Syracuse are in good shape at 6-1 and 5-2 respectively. Both teams are affected by injuries and both could use a solid resume win, especially Syracuse.

UNC's probably fine without it actually, but it never hurts. It should be another really entertaining game.