2. Wake Forest [26-4] vs. 7. N.C. State [18-12]
Regular Season Meeting: (at) Wake Forest 86, N.C. State 75, Feb. 10; Wake Forest 55, (at) N.C. State 53, Sunday.
Leading Scorer: Julius Hodge, N.C. State, 27; Ilian Evtimov, N.C. State, 19.
| | _____ ACC Tournament _____
• An NCAA tournament berth looks unlikely for the Terps after yet another loss to Clemson.
• Michael Wilbon: Maryland has to be one of the biggest disappointments in college basketball this season.
• On Basketball: Clemson's Oliver Purnell has his Tigers by the tail.
• Virginia holds off Miami, 66-65, and advances to the quarterfinals.
• J.R. Reynolds scores a career-high 32 points to keep the Cavs alive.
• N.C. State tops Florida St., 70-54, to set up a rematch with Wake.
• Virginia Tech's Coleman Collins has come back strong from surgery.
• Full-Court Press: News and notes
_____ Friday's Schedule _____
• North Carolina vs. Clemson, Noon
• Va. Tech vs. Ga. Tech, 2:30 p.m.
• Wake Forest vs. N.C. State, 7 p.m.
• Duke vs. Virginia, 9:30 p.m.
_____ Thursday's Results _____
• Clemson 84, Maryland 72
• N.C. State 70, Florida State 54
• Virginia 66, Miami 65
_____ On Our Site _____
• Images from Maryland's loss to Clemson, a defeat that likely keeps the Terps out of the NCAAs for the first time since '93.
• More ACC photos
• Talk about Maryland's loss.
• ACC in D.C.: Dan Steinberg reports from the ACC tournament.
• Where to go: Check out the best places to watch all the action.
• An interactive guide to the hot spots around the MCI Center.
__ Tournament Preview Section __
• The MCI Center plays host to the ACC tournament, considered by some to be the biggest event in college basketball.
• John Feinstein: The tradition of the ACC tournament is what makes it so special.
• Bracket and schedule
• Although he is one of the ACC's best players, Tar Heels freshman Marvin Williams remains humble.
• News Graphic: Freshman who might play big roles this week.
• The improved play of center Eric Williams gives the Demon Deacons a potent inside-outside game.
• Lee Melchionni has taken advantage of increased playing time and given Duke a major boost.
• News Graphic: Tournament information, map and records.
_____ Team Capsules _____
• Clemson
• Duke
• Florida State
• Georgia Tech
• Maryland
• Miami
• North Carolina
• North Carolina State
• Virginia
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest
| | |
|
Leading Rebounder: Eric Williams, Wake Forest, 7 in both games.
Records in ACC tournament: Wake Forest, 39-47; N.C. State, 76-41.
Vs. each other in ACC tournament: N.C. State leads, 7-3.
Back court: The Demon Deacons will play without all-ACC point guard Chris Paul, who has been suspended from playing in today's game for his actions in last Sunday's regular season finale against the Wolfpack. In that game, Paul hit North Carolina State forward Julius Hodge in the groin during the first half. Without Paul, the Demon Deacons could be especially thin in the back court. Junior Justin Gray, who scored 15 points on 5-for-16 shooting in Wake Forest's 55-53 win in Raleigh on Sunday, and top reserve Taron Downey figure to do most of the ball-handling. Wake Forest can't afford for either guard to get into foul trouble. Georgetown transfer Tony Bethel and guard Engin Atsur combined for 23 points in the Wolfpack's 70-54 win over Florida State in the first round.
Front court: Hodge, the ACC player of the year last season and a second team all-ACC choice this year, has played hot and cold against the Demon Deacons. He scored 27 points in the Demon Deacons' 86-75 win on Feb. 10 but had only eight points in Sunday's game. Forward Ilian Evtimov has been hot as of late, making 10 of 19 three-point attempts in the past two games. The Wolfpack could have a tough time containing Wake Forest junior Eric Williams, especially since senior center Jordan Collins is out because of a separated shoulder.
Coaching/Intangibles: There could be some bad blood still lingering from Sunday's game, especially after the Demon Deacons won the game on Paul's layup at the buzzer. The Wolfpack certainly helped themselves by beating Florida State, a victory that could earn them an NCAA at-large bid. Wake Forest is still in contention for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and can't afford to lose in the quarterfinals. The Demon Deacons must be more patient against N.C. State's deliberate pace, after making just 20 of 53 shots in Sunday's game.
-- Mark Schlabach
