ACC Roundup - Big Ten Falls Hard

Well we told you to expect a hot UNC after that pathetic performance against Michigan State in Portland.

It’s not like we’re super smart or anything; everyone knew it was coming. But holy cow did the Heels turn it up for Michigan.

Carolina ended up shooting 54.8% overall but the start of the game was way hotter than that.

It was a tremendous answer to the Portland Disaster.

The ACC has basically obliterated the Big Ten in this year’s Challenge, currently leading 11-2 with Notre Dame and Michigan State on deck next.

The league got there with Wednesday night wins by Duke over Indiana 91-81, Miami over Minnesota 86-81, NC State shooting down Penn State 85-78 and Clemson winning on the road over Ohio State 79-65.

Only BC lost, falling on the road to Nebraska.

In State’s and Clemson’s case, the teams showed a lot of guts. State went down 14-0 and could have been blown out at home. Yet the Pack came back. And by the way, Omer Yurtseven is coming on fast: toss out the first game and he’s averaging nearly double figures.

Good timing since Abdul-Malik Abu and Darius Hicks are both out. Abu should be back soon but Hicks is gone for the season.

Clemson ran up a second-half lead then watched most of it evaporate before the Tigers got going. This was a huge win for the Tigers.

We usually put our chips on coaching and Jim Larranaga didn't let us down against Minnesota. Miami forced Minnesota’s bigs out of the post and then, in the immortal words of Houston’s Benny Anders, they took ‘em to the rack and stuck ‘em.

Well more or less anyway.

In a creative mood, Larranaga started three point guards in the second half and shot 56%, partly because the ‘Canes got a ton of easy baskets.

Young Richard Pitino semi-acknowledged he’d been gamed by Larranaga, saying afterwards that "[t]hey're a talented team, a well-coached team, and we certainly squandered some opportunities."

His dad must be so proud of his press conference skills.

Bad news for BC: the Eagles lost Deontae Hawkins, who left the arena on crutches. That could be a devastating blow far worse than the loss to Nebraska.

The ACC has already won, but Thursday night’s Notre Dame-Michigan State game features a delicious potential match up between Bonzie Colson and Miles Bridges. That should be a ton of fun.

• UNC responds to ugly loss with 86-61 victory against Michigan
• Sharp shooting, resiliency allow N.C. State to get well with win over Penn State
• Wolverines tumble to high-flying Tar Heels
• Michigan missing pivotal player with calming influence
• My Take On Wake: Childress crushed in final seconds
• Crawford's toughness leads Deacons
• State of the conferences: Who's up, down and in trouble
• Eagles Lose Hawkins, ACC/Big Ten Challenge Against Nebraska
• Rest easy, Roy, North Carolina will be just fine
• Late run, threes help Nebraska close out Boston College
• Wolfpack conquers Nittany Lions in Big Ten/ACC Challenge
• Clemson men's basketball team rallies to beat Ohio State
• Miami showcases its promise in road win over Minnesota