ACC Roundup

In ACC news, Dennis Smith made his State debut Friday and the N&O says it was “dazzling.” Abdul-Malik Abu calls him “the chosen one.”

Hey, no pressure kid.

From everything we’ve heard he sounds up to it. We can’t wait to see him play.

Heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder, who attended Mark Gottfried’s Alabama basketball camp, attended and spoke to the team.

Gottfried said this about Smith: “I think he’s one of those players. He’s kind of electric. He’s such an attractor. Players want to play with him, fans want to watch him. I walk through airports, and people want to ask me about him. That’s kind of the way it is with him.”

Dennis Smith returns from his injury just as UNC’s Theo Pinson went out with an injury of his own: Pinson, who broke his left foot as a freshman, has broken the fifth metatarsal on his right foot. It’s not clear how long he’ll be out but he won’t be back soon.

Erik Swoope had an average career at Miami - many of you are racking your brains trying to remember him.

Not that it matters much because he’s left basketball behind: Swoope is making his way in the NFL despite never having played football before. That’s a pretty neat accomplishment.

At Louisville, the Cardinals had a scrimmage as well. Keep an. eye on Donovan Mitchell. Check out what the Courier-Journal had to say: “As for Mitchell, the 6-3 guard has made such noticeable progress with his jump shot that NBA scouts don't even recognize him, coach Rick Pitino said last week. That development showed again on Friday, with Mitchell splashing two early 3-pointers. But what stood out – again – was his ability to change speeds and get into the lane, and then use his leaping ability to get off whatever shot he wants. Mitchell's final line: 21 points, 11 rebounds, five assists.”

Syracuse scrimmaged too. Here’s some notes from their opening night.

Clemson has completely overhauled LIttlejohn - they did a beautiful job - and that will come with expectations. However, there is optimism in Tiger town and it’s been a while since we’ve seen that.