ACC Roundup

Saturday is a big day around the conference starting with Kevin Keatt’s first trip to Chapel Hill as State’s coach.

Then Miami and Florida State tangle in Tallahassee, Syracuse travels to Pitt, Virginia Tech goes west to challenge the Irish and Wake will see Louisville in the Yum! Center.

State has shown some guts this season but is still erratic. They will pin a lot of hope on Omer Yurtseven who gives them a nice mismatch. It’ll be fun to watch State’s guards chase UNC’s kids around the floor. When they’re at their best, the Pack is really tough. Problem is they’re not all that often yet.

We’d expect Virginia Tech to knock off Notre Dame with all the Irish injuries and the Hokies playing better. We have immense respect for the guts Notre Dame has shown but there’s only so much you can do with limited resources.

Syracuse should handle Pitt with no trouble. At least we’d hope so, although Pitt was almost able to take State. Pitt’s improving but not that fast.

Finally, Wake Forest plays Louisville. Is it likely that Wake wins? No, not until the Deacs learn how to close out a game. Is it possible? Sure.

It’s been a wildly difficult season for Louisville off the court but interim coach Dave Padgett deserves immense credit for how well he has managed that team in the midst of crisis. We’d have to consider offering him the job based on the potential he’s shown.

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