North Carolina
Preview: North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech
By Greg Barnes, InsideCarolina.com Mar 11, 2010
For the first time in program history, the Tar Heels are playing in the first day of the ACC Tournament. Thursday's first round matchup is with Georgia Tech and is scheduled to tip-off at the Greensboro Coliseum at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Quotables
“I think if we come out and play like we know we’re capable, we can beat any team in the country.” – Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors
"It's very important. Playing North Carolina in Greensboro is going to be a tremendous challenge. It's not a home-court advantage for them, but it's pretty close." – GT head coach Paul Hewitt on winning Thursday to bolster his team’s NCAA Tournament hopes
PREGAME NOTES
Season to Date: No.7 seed Georgia Tech enters the ACC Tournament’s opening round on Thursday with a 19-11 (7-9 ACC) record. The Yellow Jackets have lost six of their last nine games, including a damaging 64-62 loss at No. 12 seed Miami on Feb. 10.
Season Accolades: Forward Gani Lawal was named third-team All-ACC by ACSMA for the second year in a row on Monday. The 6-9 junior from Norcross, Ga., lead Georgia Tech in scoring and rebounding this season, averaging 13.6 points and 8.8 rebounds. Forward Derrick Favors became the 11th Yellow Jacket to pick up ACC Rookie of the Year honors after leading all conference freshmen in scoring (11.9), rebounding (8.4), field goal percentage (60.4), blocked shots (2.0) and double-doubles (8). Guard D'Andre Bell won the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award after being diagnosed in October 2008 with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spine that can result in debilitating injury if left untreated. Bell red-shirted the ’08-’09 campaign and returned to the starting lineup this season, averaging 6.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
A Buzzing Threesome: While Duke’s “Big Three” dominates the perimeter, Georgia Tech’s version makes their noise in the paint. Lawal, Favors and senior Zack Peacock (9.1 ppg) account for 46.1 percent of the Yellow Jackets’ scoring (34.6) and 52.7 percent of the team’s rebounding (21.3) this season.
Balanced Percentages: Georgia Tech enters the ACC Tournament ranked third in the conference in both field goal percentage (46.1) and field goal percent defense (38.4).
Tech on the Bubble: Georgia Tech’s No. 44 ranking in the RPI stands sixth in the ACC, thanks to a 7-7 record against teams ranked in the top-100 and four wins against teams in the top-50 (Duke, Clemson, Wake Forest, Siena). With a weaker-than-usual at-large pool for the NCAA Tournament Committee, the Yellow Jackets can likely sew up a bid to the Big Dance with a win or two in the ACC Tournament.
Random Fact of the Day: Georgia Tech can become the first team other than Duke to beat UNC three times in a season since the Jackets did it during the ’84-’85 season.
Head-to-Head ’09-’10 Results: In the first meeting between these two programs, Will Graves scored 22 of his 24 points in the second half to erase a 20-point deficit, but Georgia Tech managed to pull out a 73-71 victory over UNC on Jan. 16 in Chapel Hill. On Feb. 17, the Yellow Jackets used an early 21-4 spurt to make easy work of North Carolina, defeating the Tar Heels, 68-51, at Alexander Memorial Coliseum in Atlanta.
Series History: The Tar Heels lead the all-time series with Georgia Tech, 60-22. UNC has won 19 of its last 28 games against the Yellow Jackets. Thursday’s game will be the first ACC Tournament meeting between North Carolina and Georgia Tech since the 2005 semifinals in Washington, DC.
Projected Starters:
1 Iman Shumpert (6-5, 209, So.) – 10.0 ppg, 4.0 apg
41 Glen Rice, Jr. (6-5, 195, Fr.) – 5.3 ppg, 2.9 rpg
13 D'Andre Bell (6-6, 222, Sr.) – 6.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg
31 Gani Lawal (6-9, 234, Jr.) – 13.6 ppg, 8.8 rpg
14 Derrick Favors (6-10, 246, Fr.) – 11.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg
Top Reserves:
35 Zach Peacock (6-8, 235, Sr.) – 9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg
11 Brian Oliver (6-6, 220, Fr.) – 7.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg
00 Mfon Udofia (6-2, 187, Fr.) – 6.8 ppg, 2.2 apg
3 Moe Miller (6-2, 189, Jr.) – 3.5 ppg, 2.3 apg
ACC Tournament Schedule
Opening Round: Thursday, March 11
#8 Boston College vs. #9 Virginia - Noon - Raycom
#5 Wake Forest vs. #12 Miami - 2 p.m. - Raycom
#7 Georgia Tech vs. #10 North Carolina - 7 p.m. - ESPN2
#6 Clemson vs. #11 NC State - 9 p.m. - Raycom
Quarterfinals: Friday, March 12
#1 Duke vs. #8/#9 Winner - Noon - Raycom/ESPN2
#4 Virginia Tech vs. #5/#12 Winner - 2 p.m. - Raycom/ESPN2
#2 Maryland vs. #7/#10 Winner - 7 p.m. - Raycom/ESPN2
#3 Florida State vs. #6/#11 Winner - 9 p.m. - Raycom/ESPN2
Semifinals: Saturday, March 13
Semifinal 1 - 1:30 p.m. - Raycom/ESPN
Semifinal 2 - 3:30 p.m. - Raycom/ESPN
Championship Game: Sunday, March 14
Championship Game - 1 p.m. - Raycom/ESPN
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Most Recent Comments
RE: Preview: North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech
Duke probably gets a #1 seed and a CAKEWALK to the Sweet 16. And then well beyond that, probably. Elite Eight at a minimum.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns
meh. they tend to choke away from Hansbrough Indoor even against lesser teams who do their homework. time will tell. i honestly would like to see UNC and STATE in the ACCT finals (guarenteed win for us) ;)
As for State and Carolina meeting in the ACCT finals, it can't happen. We'd meet in the semi-finals if we were both to continue winning. But don't be so sure about that "sure win" stuff. It's hard to beat a team three times in one season, especially when your team is depleted of some of their best players. :)
I'd like to see that matchup, too, by the way!
true that!! I wish the best of luck to State, until that IF game happens, and hope you can do the same for my struggling guys.
I did want Carolina to win (in theory, although I was kinda happy that they didn't!) I would rather play them instead of Maryland or Georgia Tech -IF- we're able to win again tonight.
RE: Preview: North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech
Duke probably gets a #1 seed and a CAKEWALK to the Sweet 16. And then well beyond that, probably. Elite Eight at a minimum.
- Posted by TruthBKnown Returns
meh. they tend to choke away from Hansbrough Indoor even against lesser teams who do their homework. time will tell. i honestly would like to see UNC and STATE in the ACCT finals (guarenteed win for us) ;)
That's a myth. Duke lost some of their earlier road games, and they did get destroyed by Georgetown on the road. But G'town is a pretty great team. (They eliminated Syracuse from the Big East tournament today...) And they also lost to my lowly Wolfpack on the road. But to be quite honest, NC State played like a CHAMPION that night. And it wasn't just because Duke
made them look good, either. State just played out of their minds that night.
Duke finished the regular season tied for first in the ACC in conference road wins.
So it's a myth that they can't win on the road.
And last time I checked, there are no more road games for Duke. All their remaining games are at neutral sites. Big difference.
I think it's a pipe dream for you to hope or think Duke will lose for this reason. Duke will only lose if they play a great team like Kentucky, Kansas or Syracuse. Not because they're playing away from home.
And don't forget -- Coach K is a pretty good tournament coach, too. :)
as shown by the last 5 NCAATs right? I'm by no means a realist and always wish the worst for Dook but cmon man...final 4 this year? all it takes is 1 off game beyond the arch and thats a wrap
No, I'm capable of looking back even further than just the last five years. :)
darn
If Dook wins the ACCT they'll lose by the 2nd round of the NCAA...if they lose out early in the ACCT, they MIGHT get to the sweet 16. just sayin
GO HEELS...2010ACCT CHAMPS BABY!!!!!
- Posted by arfamr1006
Duke probably gets a #1 seed and a CAKEWALK to the Sweet 16. And then well beyond that, probably. Elite Eight at a minimum.
meh. they tend to choke away from Hansbrough Indoor even against lesser teams who do their homework. time will tell. i honestly would like to see UNC and STATE in the ACCT finals (guarenteed win for us) ;)
As for State and Carolina meeting in the ACCT finals, it can't happen. We'd meet in the semi-finals if we were both to continue winning. But don't be so sure about that "sure win" stuff. It's hard to beat a team three times in one season, especially when your team is depleted of some of their best players. :)
I'd like to see that matchup, too, by the way!
true that!! I wish the best of luck to State, until that IF game happens, and hope you can do the same for my struggling guys.
a good tournament coach?
If Dook wins the ACCT they'll lose by the 2nd round of the NCAA...if they lose out early in the ACCT, they MIGHT get to the sweet 16. just sayin
GO HEELS...2010ACCT CHAMPS BABY!!!!!
- Posted by arfamr1006
Duke probably gets a #1 seed and a CAKEWALK to the Sweet 16. And then well beyond that, probably. Elite Eight at a minimum.
meh. they tend to choke away from Hansbrough Indoor even against lesser teams who do their homework. time will tell. i honestly would like to see UNC and STATE in the ACCT finals (guarenteed win for us) ;)
That's a myth. Duke lost some of their earlier road games, and they did get destroyed by Georgetown on the road. But G'town is a pretty great team. (They eliminated Syracuse from the Big East tournament today...) And they also lost to my lowly Wolfpack on the road. But to be quite honest, NC State played like a CHAMPION that night. And it wasn't just because Duke
made them look good, either. State just played out of their minds that night.
Duke finished the regular season tied for first in the ACC in conference road wins.
So it's a myth that they can't win on the road.
And last time I checked, there are no more road games for Duke. All their remaining games are at neutral sites. Big difference.
I think it's a pipe dream for you to hope or think Duke will lose for this reason. Duke will only lose if they play a great team like Kentucky, Kansas or Syracuse. Not because they're playing away from home.
And don't forget -- Coach K is a pretty good tournament coach, too. :)
as shown by the last 5 NCAATs right? I'm by no means a realist and always wish the worst for Dook but cmon man...final 4 this year? all it takes is 1 off game beyond the arch and thats a wrap
RE: Preview: North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech
I don't know if the Heels will lose by 2 or 20, but they go home tonight. I hope they don't play in the NIT or the other consolation tournaments. Just write this season off and work their rear ends off in preparation for the 2010-11 season.
I believe Duke will win the ACCT and make it to the Elite 8 or Final Four. Maryland and Va. Tech would be my sleeper picks in the ACCT.
- Posted by Turheel
If Dook wins the ACCT they'll lose by the 2nd round of the NCAA...if they lose out early in the ACCT, they MIGHT get to the sweet 16. just sayin
GO HEELS...2010ACCT CHAMPS BABY!!!!!
Duke probably gets a #1 seed and a CAKEWALK to the Sweet 16. And then well beyond that, probably. Elite Eight at a minimum.
meh. they tend to choke away from Hansbrough Indoor even against lesser teams who do their homework. time will tell. i honestly would like to see UNC and STATE in the ACCT finals (guarenteed win for us) ;)
As for State and Carolina meeting in the ACCT finals, it can't happen. We'd meet in the semi-finals if we were both to continue winning. But don't be so sure about that "sure win" stuff. It's hard to beat a team three times in one season, especially when your team is depleted of some of their best players. :)
I'd like to see that matchup, too, by the way!
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