ACC Roundup - Down Go The Cavs

So much for Virginia running the table in the ACC: rival Virginia Tech ended that dream with a 61-60 overtime win in Charlottesville. It probably also ended UVA’s shot at being #1, at least for now, and may have slightly dinged their NCAA resume. Not much but possibly a bit.

Virginia Tech kept Virginia out of the lane and forced them to be a three point shooting team. The Cavs were still close - they were up five In overtime - but couldn’t come back.

The Hokies also did what Virginia usually does and made UVA work for a shot. And out of 61 attempts, 38 were three pointers.

ACC coaches will be watching this film all week.

For Virginia Tech, it was a huge win. Not long ago they seemed like a marginal NCAA team. After this upset, they’ll have to really screw up to not make it.

In Raleigh, State was close but couldn’t take UNC. The Tar Heels hit 56.3% and scored 96 points. Luke Maye had a tremenbous game with 33 points, 17 boards, 3 assists and two blocks.

State has come a long way but isn’t consistently the tough-minded sort of team we saw from Keatts at Wilmington. The trajectory seems pretty clear though.

There was a weird incident during the game where UNC’s Brandon Robinson got into it with a State fan (the fan was moved from courtside and later ejected when he still didn't calm down).

We heard it on the radio and Eric Montross, who is usually pretty placid, said words to this effect when he wasn’t immediately ejected: “You can bet [State A.D. Debbie] Yow had something to do with it. She’s their ace in the hole for that sort of thing.”

First he had absolutely no way to know that. Secondly, we seriously doubt she talked to security before they talked to the guy.

We’ve always had a soft spot for Montross ever since we heard about his devotion as a senior to a kid who was dying of cancer. It was really quite touching and reminded us that even with UNC it’s not a good idea to judge people so easily. He’s a good man.

Even so, he stepped over a line. He should never have impugned her in that manner on air with no evidence at all to support his claim. He came across as petty and foolish.

Well BC pulled off a nice win, knocking off the Hurricanes in OT 72-70. The Eagles got just 12 points from its frontcourt but when your guards can get you to 60 you’re nearly home anyway.

Ky Bowman had a terrific game with 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. Jerome Robinson had 29. Jordan Chatman kicked in seven.

All three guys played 40 minutes each. Boston College had to thread a needle and they did.

Miami coach Jim Larranaga had to sit the game out due to illness.

We really didn’t think Notre Dame had enough to take down Florida State but as we’ve noted this is a team with great character and they managed to win, 84-69.

In Coach K’s early days at Duke, the Blue Devils neutralized teams with greater talent by getting to the line where they couldn’t be defended. Notre Dame pretty much did that, outscoring FSU 20-8 from the line, and that’s just about the difference in the game.

Somewhat like BC, Notre Dame’s guards came through in a big way. Matt Farrell had 28 points while Rex Pflueger and TJ Gibbs had 19 each.

Three games Sunday as Duke visits Georgia Tech, Wake Forest visits the Dome to play Syracuse and Louisville heads to Pitt.

• 3 things to watch Sunday as Louisville basketball takes on Pittsburgh
• Virginia Tech hands No. 2 Virginia first ACC loss for major upset in OT
• Steve DeShazo: Hokies showed Cavaliers--and basketball world Virginia’s defense can be exploited
• Hokies cancel Cavalier coronation
• You can’t imagine a sweeter victory for Virginia Tech, nor a more bitter loss for UVa
• Virginia Tech players shine in the clutch
• ACC/Top 25 roundup: BC rallies late to topple No. 25 Miami 72-70
• Column: What happened to Luke Maye?
• Multiple positives, one negative for future NC State big
• Basketball Falls At Notre Dame, 84-69
• Here’s everything you need to know about UNC’s win over NC State
• Tar Heels complete unique two-game sweep of Triangle neighbors
• BC rallies late to topple No. 25 Miami 72-70
• Miami coach Larranaga skips Boston College game with illness
• FSU overpowered by Notre Dame’s guard attack in road loss
• Bowman leads Boston College to upset win over No. 25 Miami