If the statement “Greatness is defined by winning” is true, then there is an overwhelming argument that the ACC is one of the better college basketball conferences in the NCAA.
A few weeks ago, I remember making the comment on my Frankly Speaking Sports show that the Atlantic Coast Conference could be just that. At that time there were many college basketball fans that might
have disagreed. Fast forward a couple of weeks and the ACC is now putting the college basketball world on high alert. The ACC has an amazing seven teams winning twenty or more games this year and five of those teams making it to the NCAA tournament.
We begin with Duke, who will play Texas tech on Thursday night, beginning at 9:39 PM eastern time. The Blue Devils seem to be doing everything in their power to send Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski out a
winner after defeating the Michigan State Spartans 85-76 in a game which saw them shoot an astounding 57.1% from the field. Trailing by five near the five-minute mark of the second half, the Blue Devils made
one big shot after another propelling them to an invitation to the Sweet Sixteen. Duke will play Texas Tech Thursday night beginning at 9:39 PM eastern time.
Another great phrase that we all have heard is, “It’s not the team with the best record going into the tournament that prevails, rather it’s the team playing the best basketball.” No other team is displaying this
better than the North Carolina Tar Heels, who paved their way to the Sweet Sixteen by defeating Baylor in Overtime, 93-86.
The Tar Heels, who had a convincing 25-point lead in this game, saw that lead disappear after star forward Brady Manek (26 points) was ejected for a flagrant foul. Despite having an opportunity to win the game in regulation time, Armando Bacot missed a couple of big free throw shots that allowed Baylor to take the game into Overtime.
In Overtime, the Tar Heels led by guard RJ Davis (30 points), outscored the Bears 13-6 and became one of the three ACC teams to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. North Carolina will take on UCLA on Friday, with tip off beginning at 9:39 PM eastern time.
The final ACC team to punch their ticket to the Sweet Sixteen was the Miami Hurricanes who upset the Auburn Tigers convincingly, 79-61. Miami, who had a one-point halftime lead, outscored Auburn 46-29 in
the second half and had four players score in double figures led by guard Isaiah Wong pacing the way with 21 points and 6 rebounds.
Kameron McGusty (21 points), Charlie Moore (15 points) and Jordan Miller (12 points) were the other three players who scored in double figures for the Canes. Despite only making three shots from long range, Miami, which has a unique four guard offense, made 12 of 15 from the free-throw line and shot 48.5% from the field, Miami will take on Iowa St. Friday night at 9:59 PM eastern time.
Those individuals that questioned whether the ACC was a top-notch Conference in Men’s Basketball should reconsider and maybe begin to start questioning themselves. They say things come in threes and so far, this is definitely true when it comes to ACC.
Larry Frank is the host of Frankly Speaking Sports – Tues – Thurs 11am on Tobacco Road Sports Radio
