ACC Morning Linkfest 11/8

College basketball is finally here.  I'm not sure whether it was the early practice start, or an interesting ACC football season, but it seems like it snuck up on me.  I'm not arguing one bit and the ACC comes out in full force.  All but one of the league's teams is in action tonight, Virginia Tech opens their season tomorrow afternoon. 

It's been a rough preseason though on ACC schools as the league has had a hard time staying healthy, or simply eligible, to play.  The latest news is that Miami freshman, DeAndre Burnett will miss the season after severely injuring his wrist in practice.  Jim Larranaga compared Burnett's ability to Norris Cole and Kemba Walker, two guards that can really score.  That leaves Miami with just 9 scholarship players.

On to tonight's games where the season begins with a couple interesting matchups.  Maryland opens up their final season in the ACC at the Barclay's Center against Connecticut.  The Terps are playing without starting point guard Seth Allen, which is always a tough task, particularly to start a season.  Davidson travels to Durham, and I wouldn't be surprised to see an experienced, well-coached Wildcats team hang with Duke for a while.  The Boston College and Providence game looks to be one that could be tight, although the Eagles will be playing without Lonnie Jackson due to a hamstring injury. 

The other interesting game for me to watch tonight will be UNC taking on Oakland.  The Heels are playing without their two best perimeter shooters, PJ Hairston and Leslie McDonald.  Both players are ruled out for this game while NCAA reviews their eligbility.  In looking at the lines for this game, Vegas is expecting a high scoring affair, putting the O/U in the mid-170's.

We'll have live stats on our NCAA Scoreboard for all of today's NCAA games.  Make sure to check out the game previews below, which will be updated as the day progresses.

Injury Report
Patrick Rooks (CL)
injured hip, out for season
Chris Bolden (GT)
suspended first 3 games for summer DUI
Jason Morris (GT)
stress fracture in foot, back in late Nov
Seth Allen (MD)
10/30 - broken foot, out 8-10 weeks
Angel Rodriguez (MI)
not eligible until next season
Deandre Burnett (MI)
injured wrist, out for season
Sheldon McClellan (MI)
not eligible until next season
Jordan Vandenberg (ST)
11/2 - injured ankle, out 4-6 weeks
Trevor Lacey (ST)
transfer eligible in 2014-15
CJ Barksdale (VT)
suspended 3 games for violation of team rules
Malik Mueller (VT)
ineligible

Links

• Wright timing for Pitt guard
• Haith picks Fuller to coach Tigers during suspension
• Providence suspends freshmen Brandon Austin, Rodney Bullock
• NCAA approves waiver for Maryland's Jonathan Graham
• Tightening reins good for college basketball
• College basketball countdown: No. 3 Kansas
• Watertown Daily Times
• University of Maryland launched extensive PR campaign to change impressions about Big Ten move
• Jacobs: Why college basketball coaches depend on the nonconference schedule
• Preview, Predictions for 2013-14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
• DeCock: Triangle schools shuffle decks
• ACC: Did you know?
• Starting Fives: ACC men's preview
• Virginia Tech men’s basketball: Did you know?
• Virginia men’s basketball: Did you know?
• Women's college basketball
• ACC ON TAP
• College basketball preview: Notre Dame men
• A league of its own: With addition of new schools, ACC could be best conference of all time

Today's Games