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ACC Roundup - NC State’s Devon Daniels Tears ACL, Miami’s Matt Cross Off Team

Add in Tyrece Radford and it’s been a dreadful week for the ACC

By JD King
NCAA Basketball: N.C. State at Virginia Tech
: Jan 11, 2020; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Devon Daniels (24) drives to the basket against Virginia Tech Hokies guard Tyrece Radford (23) in the first half at Cassell Coliseum. 
Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

In the last six days three ACC teams have seen their prospects shaken.

First, Virginia Tech’s Tyrece Radford was suspended indefinitely after DUI and weapons charges. We’d be surprised if he played again this year and, depending on what happens, he may never play for the Hokies again.

Then Wednesday night, NC State star Devon Daniels blew out his left ACL and while he can and hopefully will recover, there’s no way that can happen this season. It’s just not possible.

And finally, Miami’s promising young forward Matt Cross didn’t get off the bench in spite of a decimated roster Wednesday and on Thursday, the program announced that Cross “will no longer be with the program, effective immediately.”

All anyone seems to know is that it was apparently Miami’s decision and while it’s kind of pointless to speculate, you can reasonably say this: either he’s in some kind of trouble or he’s just more trouble than he’s worth.

All three situations are going to cost games.

Radford is not just a great rebounder despite being 6-2; he’s also a leader and a wonderful all-around player. We really admire his game if not his alleged judgement.

Similarly, Daniels has been very productive for NC State but he’s also a senior leader. He’s averaged 16.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.1 apg and 1.7 steals.

That’s going to be very difficult to replace and keep in mind that after a hot start, State has struggled. This certainly won't help.

We don’t know the particulars at Miami, but Cross was their best three-point shooter and without him, teams are just going to pack it in and dare the ‘Canes to shoot. With more players you could just run and beat most teams downcourt, but you can’t do that with six players and with injuries and Cross’s dismissal, that’s about how many players Miami has to work with.

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