ACC: 3 Things We Learned Wednesday Night

An overtime classic between Duke and UNC at Cameron and another offensive disaster for Louisville at Syracuse did not significantly shift the ACC’s overall tourney picture. The conference’s top five certainly remain locks heading into the final weeks of the season. Rather, last night’s revelations pertain more to individual team’s trajectories and ultimately seeding in both the conference tourney and Big Dance.

1. UNC made the biggest statement, though Duke is still the ACC’s best team

Though they do not sit atop the standings, Duke is the team to beat in the ACC. They are the only team to beat Virginia, they avenged an earlier loss at Notre Dame to the tune of a 30-point blowout, and their non-conference resume is the strongest in college basketball. A 92-90 overtime win over their greatest rival only solidifies that. Jahlil Okafor snagged boards and made big plays all night. Tyus Jones and the Duke backcourt were absolutely clutch down the stretch. This is what we expect of the Blue Devils.

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Yet in a fantastic college basketball game, it may have been Carolina who made the defied expectations. I’m not saying the Tar Heels shouldn’t be disappointed. Nate Britt’s missed free throws most certainly sting. Roy Williams’ team is undersold, and this game shows why. When North Carolina is on- and in particular when their frontcourt is a force of nature like they were tonight – they can match up and beat anyone in the ACC. Don’t be surprised if the Heels roll into the conference tournament eyeing a two-seed.

2. Louisville needs

Chris Jones

back ASAP

Louisville’s offensive woes are old news. Their outlook without Chris Jones, though is a rude awakening. A ten-point loss at Syracuse is never anything to raise red flags over, even this season. But other than Terry Rozier, it is clear nobody else can create scoring opportunities for themselves. Montrezl Harrell obviously cannot take the ball up the court and to the hole. Without Jones the Cards will struggle mightily in the half-court, and it was painfully obvious Wednesday night.

Even if Jones has been part of the problem with Louisville’s offense, he has got to be part of the solution too. In their last four games (in which they are 1-3), the Cardinals have averaged 2.25 steals per game. With this team’s shooting issues, they must turn people over to score. The potential to do this on any team- to create steals, speed up the game and create fastbreak points- starts and ends with the point guard. The Cards’ tourney stock will sink into the 5-6 range until Jones returns.

3. Miami, despite their bad losses, is still an at-large candidate

Though fellow ACC bubble teams NC State and Pittsburgh have had the better wins lately, Miami still remains in the mix for an at-large bid. Most projections have all three of these teams in first four in/out territory. Though beating Boston College and Virginia Tech hardly offset the Canes’ clunkers, they remain in the same precarious position they were in entering this week.

Miami will travel to the bluegrass state Saturday to face Louisville, who may be without Jones. The next Saturday, Carolina will come to South Beach. If anything can eclipse the Wake, George Tech and Eastern Kentucky losses, it could be victories over the Cardinals and Tar Heels. They will still have to finish strong- also awaiting them are a rivalry clash versus FSU and two season-ending road games at Pitt and Virginia Tech. Jim Larranaga’s squad needs a 4-1 finish to feel save- this involves stealing big win and avoiding another blunder.

Next: Game Grades: North Carolina loses to Duke