ACC Morning Linkfest 1/24 with Game Sim Predictions - SCACCHoops.com

ACC Morning Linkfest 1/24 with Game Sim Predictions

Posted: 1/24/2013 10:44:42 AM

Another night in the ACC, more loud noises after an embarassing loss. This time its Duke, who went to Miami and were completely outclassed by a Hurricanes team that dominated the number one team in the nation. Miami learned just before the game that Reggie Johnson was cleared to play, but Johnson didn't make a significant difference. It was the Miami guard play that owned the Blue Devils. The Miami backcourt of Durand Scott and Shane Larkin outscored Duke's Quinn Cook and Seth Curry 43-5. In particular, Seth Curry was 0-10 with zero points on the night.

Is there a silver lining for Duke? Looking at the four factors, the Blue Devils actually won turnover percentage and both rebounding percentages, while losing effective field goal percentage and free throw rate. In fact, the free throw rate advantage wasn't particularly a big advantage considering Miami made just 56% of their free throw attempts. That leaves eFG% where Miami had a 65-32 advantage. If a silver lining that can be found, its simply that Duke isn't that bad a shooting team and Miami isn't that good of a shooting team. The big issue I saw with the Duke defense is that Duke had no answer for Miami's high ball screen. The Miami guards seemingly made every 3 when Duke went under the screen or the Canes got an easy layup if Duke fought through the screen. You can bet Duke will work on this over the next couple days.

In the other game of the night, UNC continued their development into a respectable team as the Heels beat Georgia Tech 79-63. The key for the Heels is that they are starting to develop an offensive identity. Bullock, Hairston, and McAdoo (combined for 46 or UNC's 79 points) are their offensive weapons and the rest of the team (and perhaps the coaching staff too) is starting to recognize this. Building an identity is important for a number of reasons, but mainly it helps a team recognize who their offense runs through and allows others to play off of that. Its a good win for UNC, and at least for this week, UNC looks like the top ACC team in North Carolina.

Two matchups in the ACC tonight as Clemson hosts FSU and Virginia Tech hosts their in-state rival Virginia. Check out the predictions and previews below.

Game Sim Predictions

Clemson at FSU - This game is a pick'em Sim the game here

Virginia at Virginia Tech - Virginia Tech wins 66-65 Sim the game here

Miami/Duke Highlights

UNC/Georgia Tech Highlights

Team	Conf	Pct	Overall	Pct
Miami	5-0	1.000	14-3	0.824
NC State	4-2	0.667	15-4	0.789
Duke	3-2	0.600	16-2	0.889
UNC	3-2	0.600	13-5	0.722
Maryland	3-3	0.500	15-4	0.789
Wake Forest	3-3	0.500	10-8	0.556
Virginia	2-2	0.500	12-5	0.706
Virginia Tech	2-2	0.500	11-6	0.647
FSU	2-2	0.500	10-7	0.588
Clemson	2-3	0.400	10-7	0.588
Boston College	1-4	0.200	9-9	0.500
Georgia Tech	0-5	0.000	10-7	0.588

Injury Report
Ryan Kelly (DU)
reinjured right foot -Feb return
Jason Morris (GT)
plantar fasciitis - Feb return
John Auslander (MD)
left tibia fracture - out for season
Leslie McDonald (NC)
knee
Darion Atkins (VA)
shin splints
Marshall Wood (VT)
broken left foot