STF Conference Report: The ACC

Obviously a disheartening week for yours truly. However, I will do my best to be objective in my weekly ACC analysis and not crap all over all the atrocities that troubled my Devils this past week. With that being said... here comes a big plate of crow, just waiting for me to eat it up.

Team of the Week: Miami
Its too bad that Wake did not play/win another game this week, because they would have been a lock. However, they get a hearty runner-up vote in my book. Miami decided it was time to make a run for the NCAA tournament this week and managed to pull off two victories in very dramatic fashion. Both single point wins! Although most people did not see the Duke/Miami game on Wednesday (stupid local coverage), they missed seeing a team that, when properly motivated, can hang with anyone in the league. A total team effort, plenty of scoring and solid defense from everyone, big free throws from Jack McClinton and even bigger dunks by some guy named Dwayne Collins. Who knew? However, Miami, after looking like a tournament team early in the season has really started to turn things around. They have found their lost aggression and their athleticism can confound most of the teams left on their schedule. They are an extreme dark-horse, but if they can win out and put up a good showing in the ACC tournament, they could squeeze in. Definitely worth a follow the rest of the season.

Worst of the Week: Duke
Two tough away games. Two nights where this team walked out like they believed everything that was written about them just a week ago (not by me, but by major media). They look like they have lost that fighting spirit that they relied on earlier in the season -- when they had doubters and no one thought they were in UNC's class (and they still probably aren't). You can't blame those sorry performances on injuries (even though Gerald Henderson has been a complete non-factor since his wrist injury). They have had poor attitudes, poor teamwork, poor ballhandling and atrocious defense. Time to make some more adjustments, K. When you stop the passing lines, people drive on you (and that is an Achilles heel with this Duke team). So, now its time to stop the drives. What are you gonna do? Plus, I have remarked to my friends how hard it will be for a team to stop Duke's terrific 3-point attack, namely because they have so many people who are good (or great) shooters. Well, I was wrong. Thanks for making me look like a jackass, Blue Devils. Maybe the best thing that can happen to you is if you get crapped on a little by the media. You played better when that was happening.

Player of the Week: Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
Despite being the 9th best recruit entering the ACC this year (according to Rivals.com), Teague has become an absolute beast for Wake on both ends of the floor. He is nearly the leader for steals in the league, a dead eye shooter (when he is on a roll) and a crafty, speedy ball handler who can finish amidst tons of distractions. He has a killer attitude and plays with a huge chip on his shoulder. That is something Wake hasn't seen since the days of Josh Howard. His 26 point performance against Duke was incredible (as was teammate James Johnson's 24 point, 15 rebound performance) and he has gotten so much better as the season has gone along. On a team filled with burly big and lots of tweeners, he has provided new coach Dino Gaudio with an icy persona and a legit scorer. If he plays this strong the rest of the way, I could certainly envision an unheard of split ROY prize for Teague and Johnson. And just want til Amino & Co. make there way to Winston-Salem next year. YIKES!!

What To Watch For (Besides Duke falling apart):
2/26 Wake @ UNC (Can the Deacs pull a back-to-back beatdown?)
2/27 Miami @ Clemson (Clemson is probably already in the tournament, but Miami really needs this one)
2/27 Georgia Tech @ Duke (If Duke wants the East #1, they gotta start whipping people)
2/28 Maryland @ Wake (Substitute Maryland for Clemson and Wake for Miami, from 2 entries before)