ACC Roundup - Is State Packing It In?

Here’s a question for the folks who would like to make college athletes employees: can they be fired? And if so, can coaches hire replacements?

It’s an interesting question. Following the NC State fiasco at Florida State, State coach Mark Gottfried might want to fire his entire roster.

Before the game, Gottfried left big man Beejay Anya in Raleigh over a disciplinary issue.

Afterwards, he declined to comment but did say that Anya was still on the team.

Not that it would have mattered.

State was absolutely awful. FSU went through the Wolfpack defense like it wasn’t there. Florida State very nearly got more offensive rebounds (21) than State got overall (25). And despite crushing State completely, it’s not like it was a freak offensive performance. FSU shot 46.7% from the floor, hit just 5-21 threes and didn’t even hit 60% from the foul line.

It’s just that State was so bad.

Dennis Smith, so often so overpowering, was held to eight points, six assists and two rebounds.

It was as feckless performance as we’ve seen in some time and it was bad enough to make you wonder (perhaps in conjunction with the Anya situation) if Gottfried is losing his team or, given his boss’s intolerance for losing, previously showcased at Maryland, Kay Yow too.

Certainly he’s losing them on defense.

Since playing Wake on the 21st, State has given up 93, 82, 85, 100, 84 and 95.

You just aren’t going to win many games giving up nearly 90 ppg.

State has seven games left - home games against UNC, Notre Dame and Virginia and roadies against Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Given how this team is playing it’s hard to see them winning any of the home games and the road opponents are all tough.

A losing season is now very possible for State. It’s just hard to understand how it’s come to this.

In a silver lining sort of way, State fans at some point, after they get over calling for Gottfried to be fired, will realize that Archie Miller is still at Dayton. People say he loves Raleigh, so who knows?

Pitt won its first game since December, defeating BC 83-72.

Michael Young had 30 to pace Pitt. Jamel Artis hurt his ankle in the first half. He returned but was limited to six points for the evening.

Jerome Robinson and Ky Bowman combined for 37 with Robinson claiming 22 and Bowman 15.

Pitt’s defense, anemic all season, let BC hit 50% from the floor.

Miami is legit now, a real basketball program and a force in the ACC.

Still doesn’t sell tickets.

That’s no fault of the team though. It’s well-coached and fun to watch. Miami fans are stupid.

Miami put this game away in the second half with an 18-2 run.

Still, Virginia Tech kept battling and nearly pulled off a great comeback. Miami’s lead was down to 69-63 with 27 seconds left...and unfortunately Virginia Tech’s Justin Robinson got a technical and that was the end of any comeback.

It was a huge game for Miami. As we said, Larranaga has turned the ‘Canes into a serious ACC program and as long as he’s there, that program will never fall very far.

Keep in mind that this team only has three upperclassmen - Ja’Quan Newton, Davon Reed and Kamari Murphy.

It’s really become one of the more intriguing programs in the conference.

• In matchup of ACC's worst records, Pitt tops Boston College to end losing streak
• Joe Starkey: Pitt’s Rozelle Nix is a ‘gentle giant’
• Pitt 'positive' while playing harder, smarter entering Boston College matchup
• Lamar Patterson embraces NBA experience, says Pitt basketball is 'tough to watch'
• Despite missing the FSU game, NC State’s Gottfried says Anya still on the team
• UNC’s Roy Williams wants some of what Duke has
• N.C. State’s BeeJay Anya doesn’t travel for game at No. 14 FSU
• Miami hands Virginia Tech third straight road loss
• Reed, Newton lead UM to 74-68 win in ‘ginormous’ game against Virginia Tech
• Miami controls early part of second half, overcomes Hokies