Cutting Up the Quarter Finals!

Instead of sharing an amusing antidote about how I missed one of the best comebacks in the history of the ACCT because I changed the channel to watch UConn's Kemba Walker challenge Harrison Barnes for most clutch, I'm just going to get right into it.  I had some good stuff too.  It involved references to '80s WWF wrestling and comparing Jim Calhoun to the "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase and Jamie Dixon to Jimmy Hart.  Its your loss.  You should appreciate me more.

Tweets of the Day

_John_Henson_ John Henson

Just woke up to a phone call about the earthquake in Japan.. Praying the UNC family @WillyGBORO and @YackMans are safe....

YackMans Jackie K Manuel

@Lezz_McDonald2 im good homie...thanks man

DeThompson9 Deon Thompson

RT @Alexandra924: just got in contact with somebody whose with the team. There's no power but @WillyGBORO is ok! Thanks for checking :)

 Time to Cut Up the Quarter Finals

 

(9) Miami Hurricanes

(1) UNC Tar Heels

vs.

Question:  Did Miami show why they are a dangerous team when they did the impossible and overcame a ten point deficit in the last fifty seconds to force overtime and win or did Virginia show that the moment was too big which is why they struggled to finish several games this year that they could have won?  Now that is a solid run-on sentence.  I am currently patting my own back.  One way to find out the answer to that question for Miami is to knock out the Tar Heels, but lets hope not.  Best Match Up: UNC's perimeter defense against Miami's perimeter shooters.  The first time Miami squared off against the Heels in Coral Gables, Miami shot 46.4% (13-28) from beyond the arc and it almost cost us.  Almost.  Against Virginia, Miami was 10-29, including extra time.  Today, Miami will undoubtedly take more threes because our interior defenders can manage Reggie Williams.  Therefore, more pressure will be put on the perimeter shooters and defenders.  X-Factor:  Legs and Emotions.  How does Miami come back from the incredible?  Are they able to focus and execute or do they play sloppy?  I'm hoping they are still riding the highs and don't focus on the Heels until after we open up the game on a 14-2 run.  Remember, I called it.  Ramses punches Sebastien the Ibis in the mouth to get their attention type 14-2 run.  Winner:  Tar Heels.  Too much balance.  Too many threats.

(5) BC Eagles

(4) Clemson Tigers

vs.

These teams are almost the mirror image of each other in certain respects.  Each is trying to improve on their 20 win season.  Each was 9-7 in the ACC.  Each has a new coach that should have program supporters enthusiastic about the future.  The first time they played was at Little John.  Advantage Clemson and they took advantage, winning 77-69.  On the road or a neutral floor, it is a different story for Clemson as 8 of their 10 losses came away from home.  Best Match Up & X-Factor:  Reggie Jackson vs. the Clemson Pressure Defense.  Reggie Jackson is a special player that can win a game all by himself.  Meanwhile, one of Clemson's greatest strength is its pressure defense.  If Jackson struggles with that defense, it could be detrimental to BC's chances.  However, I think the biggest effect and X-factor will be in the final ten minutes of the game.  Will the mental and physical toll of the pressure adversely effect Jackson's scoring ability?  Not if Jackson is carving it up like a hot knife through butter, then its que the adrenaline - nobody gets tired when they are stuff the stat sheet.  Winner:  BC.  BC had a light scrimmage yesterday against WF to get settled into the tournament and Clemson's pressure shouldn't effect this veteran team enough to influence the outcome of the game. 

(7) Maryland Terps

(2) dook blue devils

vs.

If Carolina can't win, I just want dook to loose!  And loose before the Championship game.  I was in Tampa when they were knocked out in the first round.  It was wonderful walking around the concourse and seeing all the dejected dookies. YEAH! (Lil' John voice) ALLITERATION (again, Lil' John voice).  The best was throwing various projectiles from the mezzanine down below at one particular dook fan.  He was wearing a blood stained Hansbrough jersey, offensive bloody makeup, and a face guard.  You remember the Gerald Henderson elbow.  Hey, he obviously wanted attention.  That is why a fat, middle-aged douche dresses up like a frat boy making a bad decision.  (I was greek so don't hate-mail me.)  Made it so uncomfortable for him, he left at the half of the following game and didn't come back until the PM session on Friday.  Those glares were priceless.  DICK!  Best Match Up: Nolan Smith vs. Terrell Stoglin.  We all know how good Nolan Smith is, but Stoglin is A PLAYER.  If Stoglin can maintain his emotions, something he struggled with against State's Ryan Harrow, he can make Nolan Smith work harder than he wants on defense.  I consider this a passing-of-the-torch-type game from one senior guard in his final ACCT to a rising star freshman.  X-factor:  Any time dook is playing away from home, the X-factor is officiating.  Coach K can't exert as much influence over officials away from home, where the Krazies pressure typically results in several favorable calls for dook.  Additionally, Glistening Gary Williams has almost as much, as K puts it, officiating "equity" built up as K himself.  Winner:  dook.  dook needs that third scorer to be effective.  Nolan Smith is going to get his, Curry has come-on as Singler has faded.  However, Singler has scored 25 and 22 against Maryland this year.  Obviously, this is a favorable match up for the dookies and Singler makes three.  It should still be an interesting game, though.

(3) FSU Seminoles

(6) VTech Hokies

 I don't feel like an amusing prequel write-up for this game.  I don't think it is going to be the kind of basketball that is fun to watch.  I'm making up for it with bigger pictures though.  That's fair . . . right?  Best Match Up:  Seth Greenburg vs. Himself.  I am convinced that Seth Greenburg is his own worst enemy.  The way he works the officials is a distraction for his team.  He is building-in excuses and facilitating failure.  More alliteration, I am too good to you!  "GO OUT AND PLAY" is my message to him and should be the mantra that he projects on his team.  Instead, he never hesitates to complain about bad breaks - before, after, or during a game.  Don't build in excuses, Greenburg.  FAIL!  X-Factor: Chris Singleton.  Singleton has missed five games with a broken foot, but practiced rigorously on Thursday.  There is speculation that Singleton could be back today.  For Singleton, I hope so.  Not only does he drastically improve FSU's all ready stingy defense, Singleton is a good NBA prospect and deserves, i.e. earned the right through hard work, to show the scouts what he's got.  Winner:  FSU.  The NCAA implication of this game aren't limited to VT.  Leonard Hamilton finally gets over the hump to improve his seeding enough to merit a good match up in the early rounds of the Big Dance.