Including a David Padgett appearance.
Operation Basketball ACC Media Day is now officially in the books. Here are the 10 best things that were said at the 2017 version of the annual event:
—"We have an opportunity, I think, for college basketball and really the entire system, and I think that's how we have to look at it, an entire system, from high school and AAU to college ball to the NBA. We've got an opportunity here because of a problem to try and fix something, and I don't think we can afford to miss that opportunity." —ACC commissioner John Swofford
—“It’s awesome because they leave me alone.” —Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey on what campus is like when the Irish football team is good.
—“First of all, yes we can do it. Why Not? Why not make a third straight title game? Why not win it again?" —North Carolina senior Theo Pinson on UNC’s chances of repeating as national champions
—“Hopefully y'all pick us last, honestly, so we can only go up from there." —NC State senior Lennard Freeman
—“I anticipate that it’ll be more shocking than what we know thus far.” —Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams on the FBI probe
—“You learn a lot about yourself when you go through stuff, and that’s really what I did. I learned exactly who I am, exactly how I feel about certain things. I’ve changed a lot and a lot of my changes have come off the court, where people don’t see.” —Duke senior Grayson Allen
—“Guard your damn man.” —Wake Forest head coach Danny Manning on his defensive philosophy
—“Let’s be honest. Anas isn’t a big practice guy anyway.” —David Padgett on Anas Mahmoud saying practice is more enjoyable now that Rick Pitino is gone
—“I took a beating for it, which, honestly, I resent. I didn’t deserve to be criticized for anything that happened. If anybody knew the truth, they would know I didn’t deserve one bit of criticism for what happened.” —Pitt head coach Kevin Stallings on the Cameron Johnson transfer controversy
—“He did a silly thing. I once threw a ping-pong paddle through a window after losing so I can’t really say anything.” —Roy Williams on Joel Berry breaking his hand after losing a video game
