STF Conference Reports: The ACC 1/25/08

Much like a over-anxious freshman point guard pulling the trigger on a horrible, contested 3 with plenty of time left on the shot clock, I am jacking up this conference report before taking full survey of the games. I will be out of internet (and liver) availability this weekend while having fun with friends in Chicago, so I send off this report before all the games are through for this week. However, the ACC just keeps on getting tougher and the games just keep getting better. Here's the latest recap.

Team of the Week: Maryland
No ifs, ans or buts (well, maybe a few buts... BIG ONES!), the Terps got it done this week by knocking off the top ranked Tarheels in the Dean Dome. Their 7th defeat of a top ranked team under Gary Williams comes as a bit of a catch 22, since it does vault their heavily hated Duke Blue Devils to first place in the conference. But, that is a mere drizzle on their parade as the thus-far-underachieving Terps racked up a big time win that can lead them to a successful surge as the conference season rolls on. And although they are the darkest of dark horses to reach the tournament (at worst, they are a big time spoiler to a lot of borderline teams), you can't even put anything past the hardest sweating coach in the business, Gary Williams.

Worst of the Week: Miami
I hate to put them here, but they were the only team with two losses on the week. One to a hapless NC State team (yes, I know you don't have a dependable point guard, Wolfpack Nation) and the other to a fire breathing Carolina team still smarting from that previous defeat. Expect Miami to get a lot better and to win quite a few of these close game. Jack McClinton is a gamer. We believe in the overall depth of the conference, no matter what others might say.

Player of the Week: Matt Freakin' Causey
Never thought I would hear those words come out of my mouth. But alas, the kid dropped 30 on Virginia Tech last week and led the Jackets in scoring again as they snuck past NC State the other night. For a kid without much rep, especially compared to the footsteps he was walking into (Price, Anderson, Marbury, Jack, Crittendon), Causey has taken the smaller expectations levied on him and totally blown them out of the water. It's nice to see a redshirt senior take his time, develop his game and really blow up after putting in so much effort on the practice squad. He is just one of those guys you cheer for... well, not if he drops 30 on you.

Games To Check Out:
#3 Duke @ Maryland 1/27 (I smell death threats!)
Clemson @ Miami 1/27 (should be physical, physical)
FSU @ VT 1/29 (somebody's gotta win it!)
NC State @ #3 Duke 1/31 (the two most opposite teams in the league - should be interesting)
BC @ #4 UNC (Tyrese Rice loves the spotlight)