What did we all learn from the first Duke-North Carolina game?
Well, when it comes to the NBA, Shaq, Kareem, Wilt and Co. will always get top billing, but in college ball, the point guard remains the most important position on the floor. Without Ty Lawson (sprained ankle) the Tar Heels couldn’t outscore the Blue Devils. We all knew coming into the showdown that North Carolina needed at least 90 points because they surely wouldn’t be able to guard Duke. Even with Lawson back for the next meeting in Cameron Indoor Stadium in a few weeks, the Tar Heels better buckle down defensively or Duke will be another tough out with numerous perimeter weapons. A Duke win in Durham would secure a close-to-home NCAA Tournament run for the Blue Devils with Raleigh (first and second rounds) and Charlotte (regional finals) hosting games this year.
Try this on for size when it comes to Duke’s versatility. Six different players have been top scorers in games for the Blue Devils, while eight different guys have led Duke in rebounding. Nine players average more than 12 minutes for one of Mike Krzyzewski’s deeper teams in recent years.
Here are a few of the other storylines and interesting facts heading into the second half of the ACC season:
Turnarounds: Back in December, it appeared Georgia Tech, Maryland and N.C. State might finish in the bottom third of the ACC standings. What a difference a month makes as the Yellow Jackets have won four of five, the Terps upset the Tar Heels at the Smith Center and sit at 5-3 in ACC play, and the Wolfpack has taken three of its last four.
Headed South: Dave Leitao was ACC coach of the year in 2007, but he’s had no magic on the sideline in his third season in Charlottesville. Virginia, picked to finish fifth in the 12-team ACC, has been a colossal bust, losing five in a row and eight of its last nine. Maybe his players just don't respond to his constant tirades!
Standing Alone: Only one player in the ACC has at least 100 rebounds and 100 assists at this point of the season. That would be talented Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez, who in my humble opinion of covering the ACC more than 25 years, has earned a spot on the first-team All-ACC squad. Heading into the weekend, the sophomore had 146 assists and 120 rebounds. The only players even sniffing this impressive feat are Virginia’s Sean Singletary (125 assists, 78 rebounds) and Wake Forest’s Ishmael Smith (95 assists, 82 rebounds).
Halfway Home: No player in ACC history has been perfect from the foul line in conference games with at least 40 attempts. Miami’s Jack McClinton has gone 24-of-24 from the line in his team’s first eight ACC games. The best mark in ACC play belongs to Duke’s J.J. Redick, who was 79-for-82 in 2004 for a 96.3 percent clip. And just think, McClinton has already faced the Cameron Crazies.
Cause For Discovery: What took Paul Hewitt so long to discover Matt Causey? The transfer via Georgetown and North Georgia has 66 points in his last three games. That outburst comes after just 93 points in Georgia Tech’s first 18 games.
Poor Aim: He may have a famous name, but Mustapha Farrakhan is having a tough time adjusting to college basketball. The Virginia freshman, whose grandfather is Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, has missed 29 of 36 shots this season and has just 17 points in 16 games.
Sixth Man: Who is the best sixth man in the ACC? That award would have to go to Duke’s Jon Scheyer. The sophomore, who started 32 games last season, hasn’t been out for the opening tip all season, but gives his team the best bang for its buck when inserted into the lineup, averaging 27.8 minutes, shooting 42.3 percent from 3-point range and 85.7 percent from the foul line. He also has 46 assists and just 20 turnovers.
Over-Rated Point: Two point guards who garnered a lot of preseason attention were Sean Singletary of Virginia and Boston College’s Tyrese Rice. Well, neither are having great seasons. Both are shooting 41 percent while leading teams in tailspins. On the other hand, a guy who takes some point guard heat on occasion for “being too slow” is Duke’s Greg Paulus. But the junior has 73 assists and just 35 turnovers. Who would you rather have running the show?
Charity: North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough goes to the foul line a ton – 233 times so far this season. But in case you’re wondering if the UNC center is getting close to any kind of ACC record, think again. Wake Forest’s Dickie Hemric made 302 of 403 free throw attempts in 1955, averaging 14.9 attempts per game.
Hansbrough, Part II: Looking for an incredible stat? How about the rugged Hansbrough committing only 51 fouls in 23 games?
Where’s Costner?: One of the hottest players in the final month of last season was N.C. State forward Brandon Costner. The 6-foot-8 freshman was so good there was even talk about an early exit to the NBA. Where’s Costner now? Well, he’s planted on the Wolfpack bench after losing his starting spot. He has shot just 37.1 percent and grabbed a measly 21 offensive rebounds in 21 games. Talk about a sophomore slump.