This isn’t supposed to be an analysis of our basketball team, but after losing to the Ramblin’ Wreck, I need to just rant for a sec. As one basketball savvy person I know said, “Passing it inside is the running game of basketball.” It is time our hoops team took a page out of the football team’s book and “ran” the ball. How many times did our centers receive a pass down low in that game? Once? Twice? Whatever it was, it wasn’t enough. I realize we are a perimeter team, but when the shots aren’t falling and the refs are letting it play on drives so that isn’t working, shouldn’t we adjust and start getting other people involved down low? Georgia Tech fouls…a lot. They’ve been on pace (until this column) to give up 850+ free throws this year, nearly 30 freebies per game. Why did we not exploit that a bit more? Why didn’t a certain forward post up Frodo Baggins for half the game? A recent article in the Cav Daily called out some young guys on the team to step it up and perform better but I think some veterans need to show some maturity, make in game adjustments, and get other players involved. Okay, I’m done. This week’s projected standings:
Team Win % Wins Best Worst Last
1. UNC .894 28 30 23 .892
The Heels keep on rolling. They’re the best team in terms of scoring and not giving up free points but they are weak in terms of team defense…for now. Roy Williams is a good coach and should have that fixed by March.
2. Duke .848 26 30 22 .838
They’ve been tested recently with two close games but they’ve kept winning and that’s really what matters. Also, I’m pretty sure that at Maryland was their first game not at Cameron or a neutral floor.
3. Miami .697 22 26 17 .718
A few quick conference losses knocked them out of the Top 25, but they seem to have regained their footing with the win against Clemson. Let’s see if the football school can keep it going.
4. Clemson .697 22 26 18 .707
I'm not sure how they're still this high considering they're close to the bottom of the conference in terms of defense (worse than us actually). They won't be ranked anymore after that loss to Miami and frankly, until they prove they can beat good teams, they're still chokers in my book.
5. *NCST .653 20 25 15 .672
They still don’t score very much but they’ve started to play better defense to go with it. If they get a point guard who can get the ball to their studs down low, they will be a very tough team to beat.
6. Boston College .652 20 25 16 .670
Where did Tyrese Rice go? He fell off the face of the Earth for crunch time of that VTech loss. If he doesn’t score enough, they won’t keep up that winning percentage.
7. Wake Forest .641 20 24 16 .646
Two weeks ago this team looked dead in the water but they’ve played better, even if it doesn’t show in their record. They’re offense is good enough but they need to step it up on defense…they have lapses that kill them.
8. FSU .632 20 24 15 .644
I told you they could cause problems for some teams. They probably won’t win too many games but they won’t get blown out too often. They’re the kind of team who will hang around and hope the ball bounces in their favor a few times.
9. *Maryland .632 20 24 15 .651
I can’t figure this team out. They lost a nail biter against Va. Tech then go in to Chapel Hill and beat UNC? They’re offense needs to be more consistent but their defense is outstanding.
10. Virginia .631 20 23 16 .663
When the shots are falling, we’re very good and very tough to beat. When they aren’t…see above paragraph. I’m too disgusted to elaborate more.
11. Virginia Tech .630 20 24 15 .663
Speaking of being disgusted, Deron Washington is the dirtiest college player I’ve ever seen. That crap he pulled against Duke deserved an ejection and maybe even a suspension in my opinion. If Gerald Henderson of Duke got suspended for that smack to UNC’s Tyler Hansbrough’s face last March, Deron should be sitting out for at least a game.
12. Georgia Tech .523 16 22 14 .436
They’ve shown a lot of guts in conference play and have been rewarded with some close victories, both at home and on the road. I can’t see them displaying that kind of energy for the entire season but hey, you never know.
*One or more of their statistics are unusual and have caused the projection to be an outlier. (Opp. FG % for Maryland, and points for N.C. State.)
P.S. If you need some optimism, the best Virginia basketball team I’ve ever seen (2000-2001 season) started the season 2-4 in conference, and ended up with a 5 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
