I worked from home this afternoon, and got to watch the Heels, then half of the FSU-Georgia Tech game, most of the AU-Holy Cross game to determine the Patriot League champion, and then the Maryland-Wake Forest game (I'm blogging between that game and the Duke-BC game).
Carolina had to grind out their win over Virginia Tech without Lawson. It was odd to see the Hokies run more often and more effectively than the Tar Heels. Carolina compensated by effectively feeding the post for 40 minutes and Hansbrough, Thompson and Ed Davis had very nice games, especially Hansbrough and Davis. Even Tyler Zeller, who didn't play that many minutes, scored a big and tough basket late.
The Heels augmented their low-post offense with two mini-runs: one led by Hansbrough and Davis in the first half, and Ellington in the second. In the end, it was Hansbrough who closed out the win on his way to 28 points. Not only did Psycho T score our last six points, but got a big turnover in the final minute when he tied up Virginia Tech's Thompson.
Hansbrough's play was one of four consecutive stops Carolina made down the stretch. In general, I thought Carolina's defense was pretty good today against the Hokies.
The Heels play FSU in the semi-finals Saturday afternoon. Florida State looked ok in surviving their game against an energized Georgia Tech. It will be an interesting game for the Heels without Lawson. Carolina will no doubt try to go down low as much as possible but FSU's front line is athletic and big. We'll need a good game from Ellington and especially Danny Green, who was uncharacteristically cold today.
GO HEELS!
Lots of Random Things
- Got to give it up for Bobby Frasor, who played 37 minutes. It was his first start as Carolina's point guard since his sophomore year. He wasn't spectacular, and he had another bad shooting night, but he did a good job feeding the post and had only 1 turnover.
- This game was a nice advertisement for Carolina's depth. Frasor started, Drew played 14 minutes, and Ed Davis was a horse down low in scoring 10 impressive points with 6 boards. Zeller only played 4 minutes but contributed 4 points and 3 boards. And little used Justin Watts got 5 minutes in the first half. Watts looked pretty good and set a nice screen for Hansbrough.
- Maryland looked good, but Wake looked awful today. As a result Maryland makes the ACC semifinals. Grevieis Vasquez had a great game for the Terps, but it was a team effort as Maryland beat up the taller front line of Wake Forest. Maryland outscored the Demon Deacons in the paint and out rebounded Wake.
- The win should get Maryland in the NCAA tournament; they now have wins over Carolina, Michigan State, Michigan and Wake Forest. So the ACC should get at least seven teams in the big dance: Carolina, Wake, Duke, FSU, Clemson, Boston College and Maryland.
- I never thought I would regret watching a Big East game, but I wish I had stayed up to watch the six-overtime game between UConn and Syracuse. As a result of that game, I will not pick either team to go far in the NCAA tournament. I imagine both teams are toast, emotionally and physically.
- Congrats to Ty Lawson for being named ACC Player of the Year. My heart was with Tyler Hansbrough, but Lawson is a deserving winner. He was the most important player on the best team in the conference, and usually the most dominant player on the court.
- If you're in DC, mark your calendars for the annual 'Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day' on April 1, from 6 pm to 8 pm, in room 334 of Cannon House Office Building, sponsored by the Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the American Hellenic Institute. As a Greek-American lobbyist I will most certainly attend this event so let me know if you want to join me. You need to RSVP; for more information visit: http://ahiworld.org/announcements/gid/index2.html.
- In addition to the reception, there are two resolutions pending in Congress recognizing Greek Independence Day and the Cretan resistance to the Nazi invasion and occupation during World War II. More information on each bill is below. H.Res. 227: Rep. Carolyn Maloney [D-NY]: Recognizing and appreciating the historical significance and the heroic human endeavor and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commending the PanCretan Association of America. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hr111-227, H.J.Res. 39: Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen [R-FL]: Recognizing the 188th anniversary of the independence of Greece and celebrating Greek and American democracy. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=hj111-39. FYI, Maloney represents Astoria, Queens; for Ros-Lehtinen, there are lots of Greeks in south Florida.
- One piece of bad Hellenic news: Panathinaikos lost - in Athens - on Tuesday and were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League. After tying Villareal on the road with an all-important away goal, the Greens came back to Athens needing only a scoreless tie to make the round of 8. But instead Panathinaikos' defense completely fell apart, and they lost to Villareal 1-2. Tough loss in Athens in a game the Greens should have won.
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