By Andy Johnston For the AJC
Some folks say it’s parity. Others are beginning to worry that this is a down season for the ACC.
The ACC continues to be the top-rated conference in the Sagarin and Pomeroy rankings, but only Duke and Georgia Tech are ranked in the AP Top 25, and the Blue Devils might have knocked the Yellow Jackets out of next week’s poll with their 86-67 victory on Thursday night.
Every team has at least four losses, and Duke, which is considered the ACC’s best team, was crushed by Big East-power Georgetown on Sunday. One thing is for certain: The conference doesn’t have a dominant force like last season’s North Carolina team that won the national championship.
“It’s where we are now. It’s where this conference is at,” North Carolina State coach Sidney Lowe said. “Any given night, you don’t know who is going to win. One team can knock off a nationally ranked team and then play another team that’s not ranked and lose to them. One thing you do know is that this league has a lot of talented players. If those talented players decide they’re going to be better and they’re going to get after it, they’re going to win.”
The fall of North Carolina (13-9, 2-5 ACC) has corresponded with the rise of both Maryland (15-6, 5-2) and Virginia (14-6, 5-2), which are tied for second behind Duke (18-4, 6-2). The parity is evidenced by the fact that 22 of ACC’s 46 games have been decided by eight points or less, including 13 by fewer than four points.
The balance might lead to only six ACC teams making the NCAA tournament, but all 12 entered this week in the top 110 of the RPI.
“It’s become a night-in and night-out grinder,” Virginia coach Tony Bennett said. “It’s a challenge of every team to be at their best.”
Out of his shell
Freshman Jordan Williams is providing Maryland with an inside boost.
He posted his third double-double of the season in Maryland’s loss at Clemson on Sunday. The 6-foot-10 Williams then added 14 points in a win at Florida State on Thursday, reaching double-figures for the seventh time. His 13 rebounds Sunday were a career-high.
“[He provides] what we didn’t have last year, [which] is an inside presence,” Maryland coach Gary Williams said. “This year, when we’re playing well, we can throw the ball into Jordan and expect something good to happen.”
Possible return
Clemson guard Demontez Stitt has missed the past two games with a sprained foot, but coach Oliver Purnell hopes to have him back for Saturday’s game at Virginia Tech. Stitt had started 52 consecutive games before the injury.
On the ball
Malcolm Delaney, who scored 21 points in Virginia Tech’s 74-70 victory over North Carolina on Thursday, leads the ACC in scoring (19.8) and 20-point games (11).
N.C. State’s Julius Mays has made 20 consecutive free throws and is shooting 89.5 percent from the line (51-for-57).
Trevor Booker needs 19 rebounds to become the second player in Clemson history with 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds. With 1,584 career points, he would join Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody and Texas’ Damion James as the only active players with 1,500 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Kyle Singler, playing with an injured right wrist, had career highs with 30 points and eight 3-pointers in Duke’s victory over Georgia Tech.
Must-see TV
Don’t sleep in, or you might miss Wake Forest’s game at Virginia, which begins at noon Saturday (WATL). On Wednesday, Duke plays at North Carolina at 9 p.m. (ESPN) in the first game of the season in that heated rivalry. They’ll also meet at Duke on March 6.
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Posted 1 day, 22 hours ago at 10:49 PM. Add a comment
One of the greatest dilemmas in the coaching profession, especially for a young assistant, is self-promoting and getting noticed. Being able to make a name for your self and advancing in the profession is part of every coaches driving force.
If you are not in one of the coaching “Family Trees”… Calipari, Summitt, Pitino, Auriemma, Knight, VanDerveer, Krzyzewski, Stringer, Calhoun, etc… How do you get noticed to even get a call back, let alone an interview for the next opportunity? The same can be said of the first time head coach once they get there, how do they get noticed at a non-BCS school? it’s almost a never-ending cycle. Unless you set your mind right and keep it right, even after you have some success, it can be a never-ending struggle. Give your head coach complete trust and loyalty – unconditionally. Trust your head coach’s loyalty back to you, their respect to your development and the continuation of our profession.
Continue Reading…
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Posted 2 months, 2 weeks ago at 6:20 AM. Add a comment
It’s here! Fall Signing Day for the 2010 Women’s Basketball Recruiting Class! Seems like the 2010 Class was done so long ago. Most schools have had the 2010 class completed for over a year and have been working away on the 2011 and 2012 classes. Once you get ahead… stay ahead!
Many think this is not as strong a class as some in the past. True, there may not be a plethora of studs… but there are many, many good players that will help teams across the country.
The formula I used is not that scientific.
ABR Top Ten Formula: Assigned point values for each prospect signed, added by total number of signees, then divide out the number for an average so the smaller classes aren’t over-looked. In the event of a tie – I let them be ties.
A great job of recruiting, evaluating and signing by this group of coaches, their staff’s and of course the players on each of the teams who hosted these prospects on their visits.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Here it is, my final rankings for the 2010 Women’s Basketball Recruiting Class:
*Each TEAM name links to the school’s release on their class (if available).
1. DUKE: (5) ABR: 44 / 8.8
2T. CONNECTICUT: (5) ABR: 43 / 8.6
2T. MARYLAND: (5) ABR: 43 / 8.6
4T. GEORGIA: (2) ABR: 17 / 8.5
*Khaalidah Miller (verbal) is not yet listed as signed. Her #10 ranking will move Georgia to the #2 overall class: ABR: 26/8.67.
4T. STANFORD: (2) ABR: 17 / 8.5
6T. LOUISVILLE: (5) ABR: 40 / 8.0
6T. PENN STATE: (2) ABR: 16 / 8.0
*Ariel Edwards (verbal) is not yet listed as signed. Her #11 ranking will not change PSU’s overall ranking. ABR: 24/8.0
8. FLORIDA STATE: (4) ABR: 30 / 7.5
9. BOSTON COLLEGE: (4) ABR: 26 / 6.5
10. OKLAHOMA: (5) ABR: 26 / 5.2
For a PRINTABLE VERSION: CLICK HERE
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Posted 2 months, 4 weeks ago at 11:09 AM. Add a comment
Over the past two weeks there has been less content on our ABR site. My apologies. I have been preparing the ABR ACC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PREVIEW.
Each pre-season I found it helpful to write a one-page Pre-Season Opponent Overview. I always felt it helped with early season practices and planning for what we might see.
Here is an example: PRE-SEASON OPPONENT OVERVIEW
With that in mind, and now that everyone is about two weeks into practice, I wanted to provide you with the ABR ACC Women’s Basketball Preview.
The intent is to summarize the 2008-09 season and forecast somethings to expect for 2009-10.
I’d welcome your feedback.
Enjoy…
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Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago at 4:53 PM. Add a comment
Duke Head Coach, Joanne P. McCallie has announced the date for the second annual Duke Basketball Coaching Clinic. The clinic will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1 with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by Duke practice, lunch, and lectures with the Blue Devil coaching staff.
Coaches of all levels can gain experience and learn. The clinic schedule includes a full team practice with a Q & A session and a discussion by Head Coach Joanne P. McCallie. Following lunch, lectures will be provided by the assistant coaches and strength and conditioning staff.
The registration cost is $40 per coach and this year there is an in-state discount registration fee of $30 for any in-state North Carolina coach of any level or age group. The registration fee includes lunch.
Register by mail or at Cameron when you arrive to attend the Clinic on November 1.
Check-in will be at Cameron’s north entrance (the Krzyzewskiville side).
Cash (with correct change) and checks are the only accepted forms of payment.
Checks are made out to: Duke Women’s Basketball.
Receipts can be provided at check-in.
Please contact Sarah Smoak, Asst. Director of Basketball Operations, at 919.613.7548, ssmoak@duaa.duke.edu or Kate Senger, Director of Basketball Operations, at 919.613.7572 for more information.
Click here for the full coaching clinic brochure, registration forms can be printed off and mailed in to:
Duke Women’s Basketball
Attn: Coaching Clinic
Box 90554 4th Floor Schwartz-Butters Center
Durham, NC 27707
Provided by Duke Sports Information
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Posted 3 months, 2 weeks ago at 10:37 AM. Add a comment
