ACC Roundup - A Triple OT Affair In Blacksburg

In Wednesday night’s ACC action, Louisville beat Syracuse 90-66, Georgia Tech handled Wake Forest 86-79, Virginia took care of Boston College 78-65 and Miami and Virginia Tech had a triple overtime thriller that Miami won 102-95.

Miami’s had a rough season but the ‘Canes have won three straight and Isaiah Wong has really come on lately. He had 27 in this one and has emerged as a key factor for Miami. He’s also moved into the starting lineup.

Chris Lykes added 23 and Kameron McGusty had 21.

This was the longest ACC game since 2003. With the win, Miami moves to 14-12 and 6-10 in the ACC. It’s late to get hot but hot is still hot.

Louisville had lost two straight before knocking off Syracuse by 24.

Consider the frustrations abated because this was a solid win on both ends. Louisville just laid a whipping on Syracuse in every aspect of the game.

After the game Jim Boeheim accepted the beatdown, saying that “[t]he reason we aren’t winning at the end of games is we are not good enough.”

Pretty basic.

He also went on to ridicule KenPom.com, saying this in a memorable rant about how the site is breaking down defensive performance: “Craziest thing, I have never heard this until this year. I’ve been in this a long time. I think I know a little bit about this game. I never heard, ‘Well, this guy is 25% responsible for this case, this guy’s 35%.’ Are you kidding me? I’m telling you, I can get a kindergartner who could tell you better than they can tell you.”

Classic Boeheim.

Wake Forest honored former coach Dave Odom prior to the Georgia Tech game, hanging a banner in his honor. Tim Duncan attended. So did Josh Howard and Rodney Rogers.

The sad thing is it’s the only thing Wake has had to put in the rafters in a long time and after the good feelings were over, it was back to business as usual with the Deacs losing again.

Michael DeVoe and Jose Alvarado combined for 46 of Tech’s 86. Moses Wright added 14 points and seven boards. The one-time project from Raleigh is now averaging 12.9 ppg and 7.2 rpg. Assuming he returns next year - he’d be wise to do so - he should be a monster. He’s still limited to a game near the basket but his athleticism lets him get away with it. He’ll have to expand if he hopes to play professionally.

Like Miami, Tech is playing much better than its record and should now be seen as a very dangerous opponent for anyone.

Virginia is trending towards a tournament bid and in order to do that you need to win the ones you’re supposed to win

The Cavaliers did that against BC. Tomas Woldetensae is starting now and has really helped the previously anemic offense.

Braxton Key and Kihei Clark both had 17, Jay Huff had 14 and Mamadi Diakite tossed in 10.

The only real surprise is that BC scored 65. Former Duke grad Derrick Thornton had back spasms and didn’t play.

Like Miami, UVa is getting hot at the right time as the Cavs have won five of their last six.

The standings have changed a bit after Wednesday. It’s Louisville back on top, followed by Duke, Florida State, Virginia and NC State.

No one else has a hope of NCAA play without a huge run in the ACC Tournament.

No games until Saturday when Louisville gets a chance to add to UNC’s pain and State can make another major statement if the Pack can beat Florida State.

ACC Standings

• SU’s defense just isn’t good
• Jim Boeheim defends Orange: ‘These guys have fought hard’
• Virginia Tech falls to Miami in triple OT
• McFarling: Cavaliers are shooting their way into NCAA bracket
• UVa men’s basketball: Cavs pick up pace, down Boston College
• Miami beats Virginia Tech 102-95 in first triple-OT win in school history
• Canes Hoops: Miami Outlasts Hokies in Triple OT
• Georgia Tech hangs on against Wake Forest
• Georgia Tech relying on multiple defenses, ‘kindergarten-ish’ signaling system
• Devoe shakes off injury, leads Georgia Tech past Wake Forest