Clemson makes it to the Finals!?

Tigers get rematch against Heels

Clemson playing in the ACC Championship Game is literally a once in a lifetime event… Only once in the 55 year history of the ACC has Clemson made it to the championship game, and that wasn’t even in my lifetime. The Tigers last made it to the championship game in 1962 when coincidently they knocked off # 2 seed Duke in the semis. The folks at StateFans Nation have adopted the Tigers and quite frankly so have I. With all of the discussion in the Triangle during the past week about whether or not Carolina was committed to winning the ACC title, it is refreshing to see a team make it to the Championship that you have no doubt about. Make no mistake about it, if Clemson manages to finally get over the hump against the Heels, they will cherish the ACC Championship more than they will breaking their 10-year NCAA drought.

In the other ACC Semi Final, Tyler Hansbrough showed why in my opinion he should be the conscious National Player of the Year. Sure, whenever a shot goes up, you sort of expect Hansbrough to have a good shot at getting the rebound, but swishing a fade away jumper from the right side to win the game? That’s a new wrinkle to his game that will make him that much more dangerous as the Heels battle for the ACC and NCAA championships. Hansbrough had 26 points and 9 rebounds as he refused to let the Heels lose in their come from behind win against the Holies.

Arguably, Clemson and Carolina played in the two most exciting games of the ACC regular season. Should make for an interesting championship game. Keep in mind, Clemson has found two new weapons… A healthy James Mayes who has been a beast since getting the cast off of his hand, and a new found stroke from the free throw line. The Tigers shot 68% from the line against Duke, including an unheard of 7-8 in the last two minutes.

Hammonds Wrist...

Clemson’s Hammonds breaks wrist

Posted on March 3, 2008 by Patrick Hite

Clemson All-ACC candidate Cliff Hammonds suffered a broken right (non-shooting) wrist during Clemson’s victory over Maryland on Sunday evening. X-rays revealed the injury on Monday. Hammonds’ status for Thursday night’s game at Georgia Tech is unknown at this time. More from ACCNation

Repeating History

I've always heard that streaks are meant to be broken. But I've also heard something like, nothing new ever happens, history just repeats over and over.

With what may be the best Clemson team ever, against a somewhat depleted Carolina team, history repeated again, for the 52nd time.


Lompoc RecordUNC continues Clemson's woes in Chapel Hill
ESPN - 6 hours ago
Despite a double-digit deficit, UNC continued Clemson's woes -- this time in 2OTs -- in Chapel Hill. Never is a long time, but after the way Clemson lost at ...
UNC outlasts Clemson Baltimore Sun
North Carolina Tops Clemson in Double-OT The Associated Press
Clemson collapses, loses in double OT, rewrites history Charleston Post Courier

Can you say Letdown?

Didn't take a rocket scientist to predict this. It has to be so frustrating as a coach, knowing that coming off what your team had to feel was the game of the year, they are going to either overlook a lesser opponent, or simply not be able to muster the enthusiasm and emotional energy to have their bodies do what their brains tell them to do.


Seattle Post IntelligencerGoldwire, 49ers upset No. 18 Clemson
Sports Network - 10 hours ago
Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Leemire Goldwire scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Charlotte to an upset over 18th-ranked Clemson, 82-72, ...
Charlotte Stuns No. 18 Clemson The Associated Press
Charlotte comes calling on No. 18 Clemson Sports Network
Charlotte shocks No. 18 Clemson Charlotte Observe

ACC Basketball Underway

I know there have been games already, but for me the ACC Basketball season just began last night. What a game. Clemson is good. Carolina is just a little better, but Clemson is damn good. Maybe this is the year Clemson can finally get a win in Chapel Hill?

It took an Ellington 3 with 0.4 seconds left in overtime for the Heels to stay perfect on the year. I'm still having a little trouble getting into full ACC gear with NFL still exciting and the Giants and Chargers still alive, but if this game is any sign, this year is going to be a lot of fun.

Heels stun Clemson in OT
Baltimore Sun, United States - 4 hours ago
19 Clemson (12-2). Ellington scored a career-high 36 points. He had seven of North Carolina's nine points in overtime. "It shows our maturity. ...
Ellington's three lifts No. 1 UNC over Clemson in OT Sports Network
No. 1 North Carolina survives scare against Clemson Kansas City Star
No. 1 North Carolina opens ACC slate at No. 19 Clemson Sports Network

Clemson bubble watch

I thought I'd be the first out there this year to talk about the NCAA bubble. If history is any indication, Clemson will be on the bubble. I'm certainly hoping this year is different, and with an upgraded schedule, they've definitely got a chance to make their case better before the ACC schedule starts. They are off to a good start with a big win

Clemson vs. Mississippi State Recap, November 15, 2007
ESPN - 5 hours ago
(AP) -- Freshman Terrence Oglesby scored 17 points and hit two key free throws Thursday night as Clemson beat Mississippi State 84-82. Clemson (2-0) went to ...
Recap: Miss State vs. ClemsMacon Telegraph



Maryland sqeaked by


Baltimore SunMaryland survives close call
Baltimore Sun, United States - 56 minutes ago
Maryland coach Gary Williams yells at his players while they hustle to the sideline during a timeout in the first half. (Sun photo by Gene Sweeney Jr. ...
Northeastern vs. Maryland Recap, November 15, 2007 ESPN
Maryland slips past Northeastern in overtime win Carroll County Times (subscription)
Recap: Maryland vs. NortheasternSan Luis Obispo Tribune



JJ Hickson sure looks like the real deal


Pack PrideHickson Has Big Opener for NC State
The Associated Press - 11 hours ago
RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Freshman JJ Hickson scored 31 points on 12-for-12 shooting to lead No. 21 North Carolina State past William & Mary, 66-47 on Thursday ...
Dazzling debut for NC State’s Hickson Greensboro News Record
W&M Falls at No. 21 NC State Tribe Athletics
COL BKB: NC State 66, William & Mary 47United Press International



and Miami looking more and more like a basketball school

Marist men lose to Miami
Poughkeepsie Journal, NY - 18 hours ago
Marist's men's basketball team lost to Miami, 85-61, in their first game of the Puerto Rico Tip-Off in San Juan. Freshman guard Jay Gavin led the Red Foxes ...
Marist men trail at halftime Poughkeepsie Journal
Local sports roundup Times Herald-Record
mccroskey to make Marist debut Sunday Poughkeepsie Journa

Clemson playing hoops already

Bahamas trip helps Clemson's basketball Tigers, new point guard Stitt bond

Clemson was also allowed to practice for 10 days before the trip, which might have been more valuable than the trip itself. It allowed Stitt to mesh with his new teammates and learn their tendencies before practice begins in mid-October.

“The trip is going to help us from that standpoint,” Purnell said. “There’s no question that if Demontez is going to play a great deal at the point guard position, just as he has to get used to those players, they need to get used to him. I thought the trip started us down that road.”

Clemson's Clarke Bynum dies

Couldn't dig up a picture, although if I really looked I could probably find my old ACC handbook with one. I remember him, just can't remember his face.

Former Clemson player Bynum dies at 47

Former Clemson basketball standout Clarke Bynum, who once helped thwart a plane hijacking, has died, the school said Tuesday. He was 47.

Bynum died Monday after a long battle with cancer, Clemson athletic spokesman Tim Bourret said. The 6-foot-7 Bynum averaged five points and two rebounds in four seasons with the Tigers from 1980-84. He was an All-Academic selection in the Atlantic Coast Conference in his senior season.

However, Bynum may be better known for subduing a man who attacked a pilot in the cockpit of a British Airways jet in December 2000.

The passenger managed to grab the controls, sending the plane into two nosedives. But Bynum and other passengers burst into the cockpit and wrestled the man down, restraining him until the flight with 398 people on board could land.

Found some more details on this amazing episode at
http://poptop.hypermart.net/testclb.html

Born in Sumter, S. C. in about 1955, he grew up in Trinity United Methodist Church. Almost too busy to do so, he volunteered at the last minute for a two week teaching mission trip to Uganda. Through a scheduling error, he and close friend Gifford Shaw ended 28 Dec. 2000 up in the forward first class area close to the cockpit on (a 747...398 passengers) British Airways Flight 2069 to Nairobi, Kenya. They were 35,000 feet above the Sudan desert. During the flight, a Kenyan man entered the cockpit.

Some months earlier, Sumter attorney Dicky Jones had approached Clarke Bynum & Gifford Shaw about a mission trip to Uganda. Clarke had never been on such a trip and wasn't inclined to leave his family, anyhow. But his wife, Sissy, thought it would be a great opportunity. After several days of prayer, he decided to go. Many friends said they would pray for the trip, and there was much family prayer. Clarke remembers praying on Dec. 26th, "Lord, as a result of this trip to Africa, may my life never be the same!"

They drove from Sumter to Charlotte on the 27th to catch the 21 hour flight that would cover over 21, 000 miles. Because of a storm while approaching England, They were diverted from Gatwick airport to Heathrow...then bused back to Gatwick. But the doors to their flight had closed 5 minutes prior to their hurried arrival...missed flight! They had to be reticketed onto flight 2069 to Nairobi, Kenya & then on to Uganda. Clarke: "I felt great peace about this...we'll just go with the flow." Prior to the flight, they had a few hours in a hotel room, and Clarke wrote in his journal, "Well, Lord, the adventure goes on." They had purchased business class tickets, and Clarke headed for row 61...where he would have reasonable leg room for his 6 foot 7 inch frame. The attendant said, "No, you are in the 2nd level bubble (48 seats) on the second row back from the cockpit." A family of 4 was on the first row. Clarke asked Gifford to trade seats so that he (Clarke) could switch from the window seat to the minimally less crowded aisle seat. They had supper in flight...talked some...and generally felt at peace. It was getting dark, so they decided to get some sleep.

Clarke and Gifford, both devout Jesus believers, were jolted awake by a sudden nosedive of the large plane. The front-row father looked back at Clarke and said, "I just saw a man run into the cockpit!" There were awful screams for help coming from the cockpit cabin. Scared absolutely to death and frozen, Clarke turned to Gifford, "This is it; we're going to die!!" Clarke: "My emotions and mind were razor sharp. We'd either die by the plane just coming apart or smashing into the Sudan Desert." Gifford said, "We've got to do something, now; I'm going into that cockpit!" And, from his window seat, Gifford gave Clarke a shove. Clarke: "As I bolted forward, I thought that in a matter of seconds I'd be in Heaven [I'd accepted Jesus as Lord and savior as a child]...I had thoughts of my wife and 4 children." A graduate of Wilson Hall High School and Clemson University and the first McDonalds' All American college basketball player from South Carolina, Clarke scrambled for the cockpit. He turned the door knob...sensing danger...and jerked it open to find total bedlam...two fighting on the assailant...the Kenyan having the copilot around the throat (the pilot had been on a sleep break). Clarke reached long arms over the turmoil and grabbed the extremely strong Kenyan by the shoulders and pulled back with all of his might...Gifford and one other helping as Clarke & the Kenyan fell backwards. Clarke sensed the plane pulling upward out of the near-fatal nosedive at the last second! The Kenyan was about 6 feet tall & 200 pounds and cloaked in a black hood & jacket. As he restrained the man, the hood came off; & Clarke looked into the eyes of a man who had wanted to kill them all.

After applying the handcuffs from the pilot, Clarke looked at his own wrist watch; and it was 12:10 midnight EST. Reconstruction of events determined that the cockpit break-in was at 11:53 EST & that the plane fell 19,000 feet. The difference between living and dying was calculated as between 3-5 seconds...in no more than 5 more seconds, the plane nosedive would have been irreversible. Clarke & Gifford were discussing whether or not to call home...to go on with the trip or not. The plane landed 2 hours later, and they were debriefed at about 4AM EST. Shortly, they saw the news of the event splashed on CNN; & they called home several hours later. They headed home to Sumter the next day!

Return of the Singing Coach

Cliff Ellis is a unique character, from his down home charm, witty southern sayings on TV broadcasts, and I'm pretty sure he's made an album or two and has a pretty good voice. After leaving Clemson for Auburn for a pretty good 10 year run, then TV, Cliff is back in coaching.


Coastal Carolina hires Ellis as head coach

Seems like a pretty good place to semi-retire. Not too much pressure and minutes away from golf heaven in Myrtle Beach.

CONWAY, SC -- Coastal Carolina University has hired Cliff Ellis to take over as head coach of its men's basketball program and signed him to a five-year contract, CCU President David DeCenzo and Athletics Director Warren "Moose" Koegel announced today. He will be the sixth coach in Coastal history, succeeding Buzz Peterson, who has taken the Director of Player Personnel position with the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats after two years at Coastal.

The 61-year-old Ellis has been a successful coach throughout his career, amassing a Division I record of 534-337 (.613) record and 612-349 (.637) as a head coach overall, ranking him 47th in nation in all-time Division I wins prior to the 2006-07 season and will re-enter the game as the 12th winningest active Division I coach by victories. He is also just one of 10 coaches in NCAA Division I history to post 100 or more wins at three separate schools and has been named conference Coach of the Year five times in his career.

Most recently, Ellis has worked as a television broadcast analyst, doing numerous national and regional games including Big South Conference and Coastal Carolina games during his three years. Prior to that, he spent 10 years (1994-2004) as the head coach at Auburn, posting a 186-125 (.598) record as head coach. During his time, after leading the Tigers to a school record 29-4 mark, including 14-2 in the SEC to win the league title and advanced the team to the NCAA Championship as a No. 1 seed, eventually advancing to the Sweet 16. He was the 1999 Southeastern Conference and National Coach of the Year by six difference organizations, including the John and Nellie Wooden and Associated Press awards, Ellis also led Auburn to the 2000 NCAA Tournament after a 24-10 record overall, becoming a finalist for National Coach of the Year. He also garnered 1995 SEC Coach of the Year honors in his first year at Auburn after taking the Tigers to a 16-13 record overall and 7-9 in the league, earning a berth in the NIT.

Ellis coached at Clemson from 1984-1994, putting together a 177-128 (.580) record in his tenure. While at Clemson, Ellis led the Tigers to the 1990 Atlantic Coast Conference title, the only in the school's history, with a 24-8 overall record, a 10-4 ACC mark and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. For his efforts, he earned ACC and NABC and US Basketball Writers District III Coach of the Year honors. He had previously garnered the ACC and District Coach of the Year awards in 1987 after pacing the Tigers to 25-6 mark, the best in school history, a runner-up finish in the ACC and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

Ellis started his Division I head coaching career at South Alabama from 1975-1984, where he developed the program into a nationally-recognized team in his nine years. He had a 171-84 (.671) record, the highest winning percentage in USA history and led the Jaguars to three Sun Belt Conference Championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances, while earning one Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year award. He led the Jaguars to a top 10 national ranking during his tenure. During his time at USA, he also served as the Athletic Director and was inducted into the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame in 2003 for the work he did with the Jaguars' basketball program.

He started his collegiate head coaching career at Cumberland University, where he also served as Athletic Director from 1973-1975. In his three years, he led Cumberland to a 78-12 (.867) record, including two league championships. Ellis started his career in the high school ranks, coaching at Ocala Vanguard and Niceville High Schools and Ruckel Junior High School in his first four years.

Ellis got his bachelors degree in physical education from Florida State in 1968 and earned his masters degree, also in physical education, from Middle Tennessee State in 1972. He has also published three books and two videos on basketball coaching in his career.

Ellis is married to the former Carolyn Ratzlaff and they have three children, Chryssa Rutland, Clay and Anna Catherine, and two grandchildren, Hannah Grace and Ellis Rutland.

-Courtesy Coastal Carolina

Mays May Make Move

Mays puts his name in, but doesn't hire agent.

Clemson junior forward James Mays has filed the necessary paperwork to make himself available for the 2007 NBA Draft, Head Coach Oliver Purnell announced Wednesday. Mays has not signed with an agent, thus leaving the option of returning to school open. The deadline for underclassmen to withdraw from draft consideration is June 18. The NBA Draft will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on June 28.

"James had been leaning toward this decision," Purnell said. "I'll help him get as much information as possible. Certainly, it should be something he should strongly consider if he's going to be a first-round selection."

The 6'9" Mays was a second-team All-District selection and honorable mention All-ACC performer this past season while helping the Tigers to a 25-11 overall record. He averaged 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He also established Clemson single-season records for assists (95) and steals (69) by a frontcourt player.

"I feel this is an opportunity for me to explore my options," Mays said. "This will give me a chance to evaluate where I stand as a player. If I don't do as well as I hope to, by not signing with an agent, I will have a great opportunity to remain at Clemson and finish my college career." More...

I think I'll have a "Big Orange"

You probably have to be from NC and be old to get that reference, but if you've never heard it, check out
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1405496

But, speaking of "Big Orange", you probably will be old before you ever see a matchup like this one again, given that these coaches would never schedule it on purpose.

Clemson to Face Syracuse in NIT Quarterfinals
		By Staff Report Posted Mar 20, 2007 Clemson (23-10) will face Syracuse (24-10) Wednesday night at 7:00 PM
Clemson (23-10) will face Syracuse (24-10) Wednesday night at 7:00 PM at Littlejohn Coliseum in the quarterfinals of the NIT Presented by Mastercard. The game will be televised by one of the ESPN networks. Tickets will be on sale at the Clemson ticket office at Memorial Stadium starting Tuesday morning at 8:30 AM. The prices will be $10 for adults and $4 for students 18 and under, and Clemson University Students. More...]

I only caught a few minutes of Clemson's game last night. Looked like the endzone's were empty, so if you are a fan of good basketball, the Syracuse game might be worth the drive. Speaking of old, I'm feeling it after seeing a bald Andy Kennedy on the sidelines for Ole Miss. Hadn't really seen him since Valvano ran him off by bringing in Rodney Monroe.

---

BC/Maryland gone, Carolina Tough

BC gave it a good effort against Georgetown and had a chance. I think that was all you could ask of them. Maryland on the other hand should have, could have won, and just didn't do enough of the right things down the end. And finally, Carolina came up tough for a change. They've won a lot of games this year, but this one was tough, gritty, and a great building block.

Our NCAA Fate falls to UVA and VaTech today. Anything short of both winning and getting 3 into the sweet 16 is a disappointment for the league this year.

State, FSU, and Clemson are all still alive in the NIT as well, with games coming up Monday/Tuesday.


Seattle Post IntelligencerGeorgetown rallies to get past Boston College
Belleville News-Democrat, IL - 4 hours ago
WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Boston College's Jared Dudley and Jessie Sapp of Georgetown went up for a rebound and then went nose-to-nose, jawing at each other.


Bismarck TribuneButler Pulls Away, Defeats Maryland
Hartford Courant, CT - 8 hours ago
Maryland (25-9), making its first tournament appearance since 2004, was undone by an aggressive and smaller team which kept its offense out of rhythm


Kane County ChronicleUNC Finally Manages to Slow Neitzel: Michigan State Standout ...
International News Service, Australia - 3 hours ago
PICKING UP THE PACE: Michigan State coach Tom Izzo called UNC's ability to push the ball upcourt "warp speed" before the game. His Spartans attempted to ...
UNC's Hansbrough finds offense, 33 points Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription)
• MSU falls to UNC: Courage under pressure MLive.com
TOBACCO ROLLED: Izzo proud of effort, but UNC pace is too fastDetroit Free Press

Sunday's Schedule

Time	WRAL-TV	Over-the-Air 5.1 (Cable 257/150)	Over-the-Air 5.2 (Cable 256/151)	Over-the-Air 5.3 (Cable 258/152)	Over-the-Air 5.4 (Cable 259/153)
12:10 PM	UVA vs. Tennessee	UVA vs. Tennessee
2:40 PM	Virginia Tech vs. S. Illinois	Virginia Tech vs. S. Illinois	UNLV vs. Wisconsin (tip off 2:30 PM)	Florida vs. Purdue (tip off 2:15 PM)	Oregon Vs. Winthrop (tip off 2:50 PM)
5 PM	Kansas vs. Kentucky	Kansas vs. Kentucky	WRAL News @ 6	Memphis vs. Nevada (tip off 4:45 PM)	Texas vs. USC (tip off 5:15 PM)

ACC 3-0 in Post Season

With Clemson's 64-57 home win over East Tennessee State tonight following up NC State's big upset of Drexel and Florida State's 77-61 home pounding of Toledo, the ACC is off to a great post season. Who will be the first team to let us down? let's hope we don't find out until next week.

Also, Appalachian State tips off at 8pm at Mississippi in their first round NIT game, but it isn't on TV.

Pack Headed to NIT...

NC State joins Clemson and Florida State in the field of 32.

The NIT brackets were announced Sunday Night.

NC State is seeded 6th in the East Bracket and will play at #3 Drexel on Tuesday night. The game will be televised on ESPNUnavailable... This is going to be a tough turnaround for the Pack after the four day run in the ACC Tournament. Hopefully the can get thier legs back... sorry Engin, no pun intended... Drexel was regarded by many as one of the top snubs left out of the NCAA tournament. The Dragons finished the regular season with a 23-8 record.

It will be up to Clemson if the Palmetto State is to win its 3rd straight NIT Championship. The Tigers are the #1 seed in the South Bracket and will open at home agaist East Tennessee State (24-9) on Wednesday. This game will also be shown (or not) on ESPNUnavailable.

Al Thornton will have another chance to display his skills before the NBA Draft as the North Bracket #2 seed Florida State Seminoles will face Toledo (18-12) in Tallahassee on Tuesday in yet another ESPNUnavailable game. Several of ESPN's pundits were disappointed the that 'Noles were left out of the NCAA Tournament. The ACC Fan Blog warned everyone of this possibility when Ken posted Sean Miller screws FSU Saturday.

Tampa, Best Tournament Ever?

OK, too soon to proclaim something like that, but wow, what a day of basketball, topped off by Wake over GaTech in double overtime.

I'll post my impressions of Tampa and more about what the scene is like as soon as time and the need for sleep allows.

I finally saw the reply on the Clemson foul that gave FSU the win. Much like the Duke timing error, who knows if Clemson would have gone on to win the game in OT, but it sure sucks that two officiating errors kept us from finding out.

Tickets are everywhere. I paid $35 for lower level to session #1 (Face is $66). For the night session I paid $10 for a really bad upstairs seat, then walked down to behind the State bench.

If we can see 4 upsets on Friday, I'll vote to bring the ACC Tournament back to Tampa next year.

The First Game is History... So is Clemson.

FSU 67 - Clemson 66

Al Thornton hit one of two free throws with 1.5 seconds left to advance the Seminoles to a quarter-final meeting with the top seeded Tarheels. Thornton finished with 25 points and 11 Rebounds. Clemson could not get a good shot off at the horn. It looked like KC Rivers played good "D" on FSU's last possession, but he was whistled for a questionable foul when Thornton fell while trying to drive.

Clemson can go ahead and plan on hosting an opening round NIT game.

FSU won their 20th game of the year, but I believe they still have some work to do to be invited to the NCAA Tournament.

Let the Madness Begin...

Normally March Madness is a term reserved for the the Big Dance, but the way the ACC Season played out, I've got a feeling that this year's ACC Tournament will have plenty of madness.

A few notes before the madness begins.

• This year's top 4 teams have proven an unparalleled ability to lose to anyone at any time.
  
• As Ken mentioned yesterday, Virginia is 0-3 in games played in warm weather. Hope for their sake they remembered to pack the suntan lotion.
  
• Carolina has played in every Championship Game played in years ending in 7. They won in '57, '67, '77, & '97.
  
• The last 3 Championship Games played in years ending in 7 included teams that weren't supposed to by there. Seventh seeded Virginia lost to top seed Carolina in 1977. Sixth seeded NC State beat top seed Carolina in 1987. Eighth seeded NC State lost to third seed Carolina in 1997.
  
• The 1997 Wolfpack remains the only team to survive a Thursday game and play in the Championship.
  
• Duke will be playing without Gerald Henderson when they meet NC State this evening. State has not beaten Duke in the tournament since 1997 when they took out top seed Duke in the quarter-finals.
  
• Maryland and Ga Tech are the hottest teams... unfortunately for them they have to win four games in four days to win the Championship Game.
  
• Clemson and FSU will be playing for their NCAA lives when they meet in the 8-9 game today.

As for my picks... Well lets just say I'll predict the Tournament Champion the same way I predict the Weather... I'll let you know who the winner will be sometime late Sunday afternoon.

Bad News for Clemson, FSU, Appalachian & Other Bubble Teams

Butler just lost the Horizon League Championship to Wright State. Wright gets the Horizon's automatic bid to the Big Dance. Butler at 27-5 will likely claim an at-large bid, reducing the chances for bubble teams like Clemson & FSU. Appalachian State, who needed things to fall perfectly for them to get into the the NCAA Tournament, looks to be eliminated from at-large contention.

ACC Tournament Bracket

Game	Matchup	Time	Coverage
Opening Round: Thursday, March 8
1	#8 Seed Clemson vs. #9 Seed Florida State	12:00 p.m.	TV: RLF GameTracker
2	#5 Seed Maryland vs. #12 Seed Miami	2:00 p.m.	TV: RLF GameTracker
3	#7 Seed Duke vs. #10 Seed NC State	7:00 p.m.	TV: ESPN2 GameTracker
4	#6 Seed Georgia Tech vs. #11 Seed Wake Forest	9:00 p.m.	TV: RLF GameTracker
Quarterfinals: Friday, March 9
5	#1 Seed North Carolina vs. Game 1 Winner	12:00 p.m.	TV: RLF/ESPN2 GameTracker
6	#4 Seed Boston College vs. Game 2 Winner	2:00 p.m.	TV: RLF/ESPN2 GameTracker
7	#2 Seed Virginia vs. Game 3 Winner	7:00 p.m.	TV: RLF/ESPN2 GameTracker
8	#3 Seed Virginia Tech vs. Game 4 Winner	9:00 p.m.	TV: RLF/ESPN2 GameTracker
Semifinals: Saturday, March 10
9	Game 5 & 6 Winners	1:30 p.m.	TV: RLF/ESPN GameTracker
10	Game 7 & 8 Winners	3:30 p.m.	TV: RLF/ESPN GameTracker
Championship: Sunday, March 11
11	Championship Game	1:00 p.m.	TV: RLF/ESPN GameTracker

Some random thoughts at first glance on the Thursday games. The Clemson FSU game should be a good one. Both are playing for their lives. From a Pack standpoint, I hate to see Duke. Maybe it is fitting, because it is the win that would mean the most to us, other than somehow beating the Heels again. But somehow I can't help but dread it. I know this isn't DUKE, it is just duke, but how long has it been since NC State has beaten Duke in an ACC Tournament?

Not that I'm glad things went down this way, but it looks like Henderson is going to be suspended for the State game. Duke is already a bit short-handed, but given State's lack of depth, it probably won't be a huge factor.

Added Meaning to Play-in Game

We all remember the Les Robinson Invitational… the 8 vs 9 play-in game when the ACC had 9 teams. This year’s 8 vs 9 game brings added meaning to the term play-in game. Clemson and FSU are NCAA bubble teams who will meet in the ACC opening round on Thursday. Let’s face it at least one of these teams is going to the NIT. While the winner is not guaranteed at trip to the big dance, the loser had better be prepared to host an opening round NIT game.