In Tuesday’s ACC Action, Louisville goes to Tennessee, Florida State visits Dayton, Clemson welcomes the hated Gamecocks, FIU buses over to Miami, Marist jets down to Georgia Tech and East Tennessee drops in on the Heels.
The highlight here is obviously #11 Louisville visiting the #20 Vols. Tennessee hasn’t been great so far, but it’s still a talented team and Rick Barnes is probably salivating over a chance to rough up those pretty boys from Kentucky. Louisville should win but it’s no sure thing.
Advertisement
Florida State scheduled Dayton most likely thinking that it was a fairly safe road game and a positive overall for the post-season.
But FSU has lost four straight and only one was even remotely close. Dayton is an under-appreciated basketball school and has been for a long time. Don May was an outstanding player in the 1960’s. Jim Paxson went there. So did Obi Toppin.
In short, it’s a real basketball school. FSU will not get an easy win here.
South Carolina and Clemson do not like each other, at all. That rivalry survived South Carolina’s decision to leave the ACC in the early 1970’s and stayed heated. That means this one is going to be hot too. We don’t know a lot about the Gamecocks this year, but you can count on this: it’ll be intense.
Advertisement
Miami should handle FIU without too much trouble. They’re clearly the better team, or at least should be. Jai Lucas has built a tough team and he was mad about the defense the other night against UL Monroe. Expect the ‘Canes to be aggressive on that end, and FIU to pay the price.
It’s hard to know what to expect from Tech. The Yellow Jackets have been erratic, to be kind, and Baye Ndongo didn’t play against Monmouth, though we haven’t seen a reason for that yet. We don’t think they’ll lose to Marist, but this team is pretty unpredictable and if Ndongo is out again, they could be in trouble.
Finally there’s East Tennessee State’s visit to Chapel Hill. Somewhat like Dayton but on a lower level, ETSU is a basketball school. UNC has vastly more size and talent, but as noted yesterday, ETSU coach Brooks Savage is a former Steve Forbes assistant and knows UNC quite well.
We’re not saying look for an upset here. But would it surprise us if this game is closer than expected? Not a bit. And it wouldn’t be a bit surprising at all if UNC tightened up down the stretch and gave ETSU a shot at an upset.
Advertisement
Are we calling it?
No. But it’s a possibility. And also note that if were Dean Smith or Roy Williams, we wouldn’t be saying this. Okay, one more thing: Caleb Wilson is immensely gifted. He alone could be the difference for UNC if ETSU manages to make the Heels nervous.
Tuesday’s ACC Action
-
Lipscomb at Duke || 6:00 || ACCN
-
Louisville at Tennessee || 7:00 || ESPN
-
Florida State at Dayton || 7:00 || CBSSN
-
South Carolina at Clemson || 7:00 || ESPN2
-
FIU at Miami || 7:00 || ACC Extra
-
Marist at Georgia Tech || 7:30 || ACC Extra
-
ETSU at UNC || ACCN || 8:00 || ACCN
Go to the DBR Boards to find Blue Healer Auctions | Drop us a line
