ACC Basketball Roundup - State Survives BC, Syracuse Wins A Key Game & Georgia Tech Tops 70 Points

Duke-UNC sucked up most of the oxygen, as usual, but there were other ACC games Wednesday night.

Syracuse got little trouble from Louisville, winning 69-49, NC State needed overtime 89-80 and Georgia Tech beat Pitt 73-65.

Jose Alvarado broke out of his slump, scoring 29. He also had six rebounds, five assists and two steals. James Banks had a nice game too with seven points, 10 points and five blocks.

Tech has had real trouble scoring lately so 73 must have seemed really good.

Pitt went with four guards and 6-9 Kene Chukwuka and he scored just two points. We reiterate: the Panthers desperately need front court help but can’t get it until next year.

As we suggested Tuesday, BC has proven to be a gritty lot and they nearly pulled off an upset at NC State, losing in overtime 89-80.

State had a significant second half lead but couldn’t hold it. The Pack went nearly nine minutes without scoring (Hokie Gremlins struck again?)

BC played again without Wynston Tabbs and Jordan Chatman re-aggravated a finger injury and didn’t play after half-time. We really admire the heart this team has shown.

Louisville showed heart when it took it to Duke for most of the game last week but then nearly blew the Clemson game in the last few seconds and got embarrassed by Louisville on Wednesday, losing by 20.

The win should will help their NCAA argument. Buddy Boeheim had 14 points in this one and seems to be emerging as a useful scorer off the bench. Duke, UNC and Virginia are coming up and none of those are going to be easy.

Elijah Hughes and Oshae Brissett had 18 and 16 for Syracuse respectively.

Louisville shot just 23 percent and their point total has declined for four straight games, from 75 vs. Florida State to 69 against Duke to 55 vs. Clemson and now 49 at Syracuse.

It may get worse before it gets better: Virginia is next up and Louisville still has to play the Cardinals twice with the first on Saturday.

• Syracuse banks key win over Louisville to start brutal stretch run
• Best and worst from Syracuse basketball’s win vs. Louisville
• Alvarado Pushes Tech Past Pitt
• Tech losing streak ends against Pittsburgh
• Gold on McCamish Pavilion court will get a re-do
• Virginia basketball team dealing with rise in turnovers
• Ralph Sampson’s advice helps Virginia guard Braxton Key fine-tune his shot
• Pitt struggles at the free-throw line in loss to Georgia Tech, 56-49, extending losing streak to 10
• Good defense, great bounce help NC State handle Boston College in overtime
• NC State’s Kevin Keatts talks about overtime victory over Boston College