ACC Roundup - Virginia Tech Almost Pulls Off A Road Shocker

Can we just say this? We have the greatest respect for what Virginia Tech has accomplished this season.

Yes, they're 9-13, but what a 9-13. The Hokies came very close to knocking off Virginia the other day and Wednesday night the Hokies nearly beat Syracuse on the road.

All of this with a limited roster in the first place, and then the normal injuries. It's been an amazing year for the Hokies. What happens when they get some talent?

Syracuse was down nine late and only a shot by Duke transfer Michael Gbinije saved the 'Cuse.

Jim Boeheim said it was one of the best comebacks he's ever seen.

State nearly pulled off another amazing comeback but Wake Forest held on to win, 88-84.

Wake had a 24 point lead which State cut to three. But there was no followup to the Atlanta Miracle. Wake did enough to hold on.

Where is the confident, swaggering team that thrashed Duke? Good question. It's nowhere to be found.

Andrew Carter asks some hard questions about UNC after Marcus Paige's comments about his teammates and effort.

And if you recall, after that game, Roy Williams had some media comments saying that he would offer no excuses. We didn't hear the full thing but our reader, Walter, pointed out some oddities in his statement:

"I’m disappointed with our sense of urgency at some points during the game. I’m disappointed we gave in. And yet I’m sitting here thinking, it’s an excuse, but we need some practice time."

"Not a lot to say guys. They kicked our butts. It would help to get some practice time. It would help to get some guys healthy."

“Kennedy didn’t have much in the tank today, he came in this morning and his temperature was 101. We didn’t even now until warm-ups if he was going to start the game or how much he’d be able to play. Nate was removed from a possible concussion list yesterday. Marcus sprained his ankle. I can give you all those things, but the bottom line is that North Carolina lost to Virginia. I can give you all kinds of reasons we haven’t been able to practice, but the bottom line is that North Carolina lost to Virginia."

“I have Wade Moody, a guy that graduated last year, he’s coming into practice. I have Denzel Robinson, Coach Robinson’s son who is trying to be a fireman, he came and practiced with us. I have Spencer Dalton, a J.V. guy come up and practice with us. There wasn’t a lot done because we couldn’t do anything. We’re trying to press and we haven’t practiced it in three weeks and that’s bad coaching."

Not that he's looking for an excuse, mind you.