Hey guys, so with Duke on deck on the football schedule and basketball season right around the corner, I wanted to get a little interest generated in hoops, so I decided to do a quick run-down of the ACC teams:

Boston College (22-12, 9-7 NCAA 1st Round)

Key Players: Joe Trapani, Rakim Sanders, Reggie Jackson

The Skinny: Fresh off an NCAA tournament appearance, the Eagles will have to replace all-world guard Tyrese Rice.  However, they return all four starters besides Rice and Joe Trapani and Rakim Sanders both look to handle the scoring load with Reggie Jackson handling the ball.

3 BIG GAMES: 12/2 @Michigan, 2/6 Duke, 2/20 UNC

Clemson (23-9, 9-7 NCAA 1st Round)

Key Players: Trevor Booker, Demontez Stitt, Milton Jennings (Fr.)

The Skinny: Oliver Purnell has led his Tigers to the past two NCAA tournaments, but replacing three key starters from those teams, K.C. Rivers, Terrence Oglesby, and Raymond Sykes, will not be an easy task.  Trevor Booker returns as an ACC POY candidate and Demontez Stitt provides some experience in the Clemson backcourt.  Look for freshman Milton Jennings to give some good minutes.

3 BIG GAMES: 12/2 Illinois, 1/3 @Duke, 3/2 Georgia Tech

Duke (30-7, 11-5 NCAA Sweet 16)

Key Players: Kyle Singler, John Scheyer, Nolan Smith

The Skinny: Even with the loss of Gerald Henderson, this Blue Devils squad appears loaded for a tourney run.  Singler, Scheyer and Smith are now all upperclassmen who should be able to mentor the three McDonald’s AA’s from the incoming recruiting class.  Look for freshman Ryan Kelly to be the “go to” guy for the Blue Devils in the paint.

3 BIG GAMES: 1/9 @Clemson, 2/10 @UNC, 3/6 UNC

Florida State (25-10, 10-6 NCAA 1st Round)

Key Players: Solomon Alabi, Ufe Echefu, Michael Snaer (Fr.)

The Skinny: FSU returns almost the entire starting lineup from a year ago.  The problem is the “almost” piece missing is one of the school’s best basketball players ever in Toney Douglas.  Besides Douglas, no Seminole averaged in double figures last year and only two players averaged eight points or better.  Solomon Alabi and Ufe Echefu return to form an experienced front court and superstar freshman Michael Snaer will look to replace some of Douglas’ point production, but the ‘Noles will ultimately need another player to step up if they want to get back to The Dance this year.

Georgia Tech (13-19, 2-14)

Key Players: Iman Shumpert, Gani Lawal, Derrick Favors (Fr.)

The Skinny: The only team to lose more conference games than UVa last year was the Yellow Jackets.  However, few teams enter the 09/10 season with as much confidence as the Ramblin’ Wreck.  Freshamn sensation Iman Shumpert returns along with talented forward Gani Lawal.  D’Andre Bell also returns for the Jackets after spending a year on medical reserve and should provide quality depth to a starting five littered with talent.  Paul Hewitt once again brought in a stellar recruiting class, landing 5-star all-everything Derrick Favors as well as top-100 player Mfon Udofia and Glen Rice Jr.

3 BIG GAMES: 1/9 @Duke, 1/16 @UNC, 3/2 @Clemson

Maryland (21-14, 7-9 NCAA 2nd Round)

Key Players: Grievous Vasquez, Adrian Bowie, Eric Hayes

The Skinny: The Terps return three starters including All-ACC guard Grievous Vasquez.  Adrian Bowie, who came on strong in the ACC and NCAA tournaments last year also returns as well as Eric Hayes, Sean Mosley and Landon Milbourne for the Terps.  This is a key season for Gary Williams and staff.  They have a player in Vasquez who can lead them back to the depths of the NCAA tourney, but is there enough talent surrounding Vasquez to take them there?

3 BIG GAMES: 1/16 @Boston College, 2/7 UNC, 3/3 Duke

Miami (19-13, 7-9 NIT)

Key Players: Dwayne Collins, James Dews, Durand Scott (Fr.)

The Skinny: Frank Haith’s squad looks to find out what life is like without the indispensable Jack McClinton suiting up every night.  McClinton averaged one fourth of his teams total points a year ago, so finding someone to replace him will be easier said than done.  The ‘Canes will also be breaking in two other starters to go along with McClinton’s replacement, as Brian Asbury and Lance Hurdle are also gone.  Even with all the losses from last years team, the ‘Canes were able to sign a top-20 recruiting class including guard Durand Scott and still have some talent left over in forward Dwayne Collins and senior guard James Dews.

3 BIG GAMES: 12/2 Minnesota, 1/26 @Maryland, 2/17 Duke

North Carolina (34-4, 13-3 NCAA National Champs)

Key Players: Deon Thompson, Marcus Ginyard, Ed Davis

The Skinny: Gone from the Heels’ squad are the two winningest seniors in program history in Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green.  Also gone are guards Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington.  The four combined for 66.2 ppg a season ago, and even though Roy Williams once again stuffed his cupboard full of talent, it will be hard to replace what the ’09 team lost.  Returning for the Tar Heels are seniors Deon Thompson, who started all 38 games last year, and Marcus Ginyard returns after a medical redshirt season.  Talented big man Ed Davis also returns and looks to be the primary scorer in the paint.  Freshmen John Henson, Dexter Strickland and twins David and Travis Wear could all make an impact this season for North Carolina.

3 BIG GAMES: 12/2 Mich. St., 12/19 vs. Texas, 3/6 @Duke

N.C. State (16-13, 6-10)

Key Players: Javier Gonzalez, Tracy Smith, DeShawn Painter (Fr.)

The Skinny: The Wolfpack lose three starters from a mediocre ‘09 team.  In Sydney Lowe’s time at N.C. State, he has proven to be a good recruiter and the ‘09 class was no different as he landed two four stars in DeShawn Painter and Richard Howell.  Javier Gonzalez returns and should get most of the minutes at point guard while Tracy Smith provides an experienced post player for the ‘Pack.

3 BIG GAMES: 12/23 @Arizona, 1/16 Clemson, 1/26 UNC

Virginia (10-17, 4-12)

Key Players: Sylven Landesberg, Mike Scott, Jeff Jones

The Skinny: The Hoos are coming off one of their worst years in their basketball program’s history.  New coach Tony Bennett has his work cut out for him in the ‘09/’10 season, but Dave Leitao didn’t leave the cupboard completely bare.  The Cavs return ACC Rookie of the Year Sylven Landesberg as well as talented big man Mike Scott, who will look for more of a feature role in Bennett’s offense.  Bennett was able to bring in the two Leitao commitments in Tristan Spurlock and Jontell Evans, both of whom could provide quality depth for UVa this season.

3 BIG GAMES: 11/24 vs. Stanford, 2/10 @Maryland, 2/28 Duke

Virginia Tech (17-13, 7-9 NIT)

Key Players: Jeff Allen, Malcolm Delaney, J.T. Thompson

The Skinny: The Hokies’ emotional leader from a year ago, A.D. Vassallo, graduated, but Jeff Allen and Malcolm Delaney return for a solid one-two punch for Tech.  However, Virginia Tech will need someone to step up and provide a third scoring option for the Hokies to have a successful season and make it to the NCAA tournament.  Look for junior forward J.T. Thompson to fill that role.

3 BIG GAMES: 12/1 @Iowa, 1/28 @UVA, 2/4 UNC

Wake Forest (24-7, 11-5 NCAA 1st Round)

Key Players: Al-Farouq Aminu, Chas McFarland, L.D. Williams

The Skinny: Dino Gaudio’s hopes of a second straight top-five league finish took a serious hit when underclassmen James Johnson and Jeff Teague left school early for the pros.  On the flip side, the Deacs still return an All-ACC caliber player in Aminu and Gaudio’s recruiting continues to improve as he signed top-50 player Ari Stewart who looks to contribute this year.  Chas Macfarland returns up front for Wake and guard L.D. Williams is also back to provide senior leadership in the backcourt.

3 BIG GAMES: 12/5 @Gonzaga, 1/17 @Duke, 2/27 UNC

Mmm … a three-game win streak.  Feels nice doesn’t it?  OK, so there were some glaring problems in UVa’s 20-9 win over Maryland on Saturday. And yes, I was getting flashbacks of the infamous “7-5 Game” while watching it; but in the end we did what a lot of Al Groh-led teams have failed to do in the past and that’s find a way to win. Besides, anyone else who watched the ‘Skins/Chiefs game Sunday can attest to the fact that it is far better to win ugly than lose pretty … or in the Redskins’ case, lose ugly, but I digress …

So, at 3-3 overall and 2-0 in conference, our beloved Hoos now claim sole possession of first place in the ACC Coastal Division.  But, I’m sure you knew that already, so here are some things I surmised from a sports-filled weekend:

• The Jameel Sewell QB dive still doesn’t work and needs to be extracted completely from our offensive playbook.
• Thanks to his 380-yard performance in South Bend on Saturday, the “Matt Barkley for Heisman” campaign just gained a lot of steam. I hope you’re ready to hear about it for the next three years …
• UVa only did two out of the five things I suggested in my “Virginia Will Beat Maryland If …” entry.  I guess I overestimated Maryland’s abilities …
• Brett Favre was about to be out “Favre’d” by young Joe Flacco on Sunday until Ravens kicker Steven Hauschka shanked his 44-yard attempt as time expired.
• The Tennessee Titans have fallen further than any team I’ve ever seen in a 12-month span.
• I’m glad the AP voted Alabama No. 1 this week.  Not that I necessarily consider them the best team, but it goes to show they care less about preseason rankings and more about on-field production.
• Our defense will have to play a lot better next week if we want to beat Georgia Tech for a third straight time.
• Our offense will too …
• Love ‘em or hate ‘em, anytime the Yankees are involved in October baseball, it’s better for MLB.
• South Street Brewery’s “Satan’s Pony” is the best tasting micro-brew in Charlottesville.
• It only happens so often these days, but any Saturday where UVa wins and Virginia Tech loses is certainly one to cherish.

Just messing around on the NFL’s site, and here are the number of ACC players at the combines by team (all invites were accepted by the conference’s players):

Boston College: 3
Clemson: 6
Florida State: 2
Georgia Tech: 5
Maryland: 6
Miami: 1
North Carolina: 5
NC State: 2
Virginia: 5
Virginia Tech: 2
Wake Forest: 5

So, feel free to be impressed with the Virginia coaching staff’s ability to develop NFL-potential talent while being unimpressed with its ability to win with said talent. Or feel free to conclude that the implosion at the quarterback position derailed what could’ve been a decent season. Or feel free to conclude nothing, since the list above isn’t exactly a perfect correlation for anything.

BBS pulls through on his betting obligations. (Thanks to reader JG for the tip).

Brendan isn’t so sure that Virginia would’ve prevailed with him on the court.

First, a reader lets me have it:

Dude, I can’t believe you made such a bet! Now I’m scared to read your blog tomorrow. The last thing I want to see is Hokie junk on our precious website. I hope for your sake and the sake of every Sabre-ite that we win tonight. GO HOOS!!!

Yeah, I’m having second thoughts in the worst way. The Good Ol’ Blog might be defiled tomorrow. But right now, things look okay. Of course, anything can happen in the next half, but the Hoos have a 10-point lead and momentum.

Some things to note:

– Love the interior passing to the biggies. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen consistent passes that (a) reach a center, (b) is caught by a center, and (c) results in a high percentage shot by a center. More attacking the basket, please.

– Love the defensive effort. Zone, man, pressure — all looks good tonight. This is the sort of D we’ve been expecting from Leitao’s team

– Zeglinski needs to stop trying to shoot. Seriously, he needs to just pass it and wait for an offseason worth of shooting practice.

– Seth Greenberg really has that whole whining-to-the-refs thing down, doesn’t he?

– Would Allen really be good for the 10 point gap right now? I’m not so sure about that.

My colleague over at TSL previews tonight’s game. And check out the comments for a challenge issued by your’s truly.

Ben drops some thoughts worth reading over at DOV. It’s sad that we’re in silver-linings mode in any basketball game against the Hokies, but seeing Mustafa turn into a surprising offensive force has got to be one of them.

Sigh:

As has become customary in the Virginia-Virginia Tech basketball rivalry, the two teams waged another close battle on Saturday in Blacksburg before the Hokies squeaked out a 78-75 win. Dating back to 2004-05 when the teams began playing twice a season in ACC play, 8 of 10 games have decided by 7 points or less, including three overtime contests. The average margin of victory in those eight contests has been 4.4 points.

In this conference showdown, the two teams played even for much of the contest, as the 3-point final margin would indicate. However, VT used a key surge to end the first half with a 7-point lead at 40-33, which allowed the hosts to control the game throughout the second half. Every time the Hoos made a run – and they made several strong pushes after intermission – the Hokies answered with enough key baskets to hold on to the lead and eventually the win.

So now we’re losing to the Hokies consistently in football and basketball. I hope there’s light at the end of this tunnel. I really do.