Defending The Cassell

Castle AaaaarghThere are those who would say that ACC expansion was a mistake, that expansion has diluted a once-great product by bringing in sub-par basketball programs merely because they would improve the league’s football.
The theory is that Virginia Tech and Miami (and to a lesser degree, Boston College) currently suck and have no history of basketball success to base any expectation of their not sucking one day.
Well, that theory doesn’t look so hot now, does it? It was bad enough when the Hokies and Canes started winning conference games at a surprising pace, but last night changed everything. Duke, royalty not just of the ACC but of the nation, went up to Blacksburg and lost. This wasn’t Virginia Tech knocking off Clemson or Miami beating Florida State, it was a football school beating Duke. Shocking.


Just as there are many ACC fans who bemoaned expansion, there have been many ACC haters who have laughingly pointed to the success of Miami and Virginia Tech as evidence that the conference isn’t really all it thinks it is. I mean, those teams are never good, but there they are battling to be in the upper-half of the conference. To that argument, I say watch the games. Look at those teams. Miami and Virginia Tech can play some ball.
Sure, the Hokies embarrassed themselves and everyone near them when they lost to VMI in December, but something happened to this team around the beginning of 2005. The Hokies are not the same team there were in December. They play hard, they play great defense and last night they hit several huge shots. Twice the Gobblers had to fight from behind or tied in the final minute and each time they hit a tough shot. Duke didn’t lose that game – the Hokies beat them.
If you squint a bit when you watch the Hokies, you might think you are watching a Dave Odom or Jeff Jones-coached team. They play a no-frills, physical defense predicated on fighting through screens and helping out. They may not block tons of shots (although they do get steals), but they don’t give you any easy looks. Their offense is not exactly poetic, but it’s effective. Any time you have a team that plays hard, fundamental defense and has a reasonably effective offense (something Jones’ teams couldn’t always manage) you can win games.
So, congrats to the Hokies. You still aren’t going to get an NCAA bid (the losses to VMI, St. Johns and Western Michigan took care of that), but you’ve had a great season. Welcome to the ACC. You’ve proven that you belong now. Enjoy your Blue Devil scalp.


2 responses to “Defending The Cassell”

  1. online casino games Avatar

    online casino games

    online casino games He sleeps soundly for a slogging who pie-dishes to pausin married when he prorsus. No

  2. free sprint ringtones Avatar

    free sprint ringtones

    free sprint ringtones It has been otherwise since I carried, for my comfort and misreckon, the kelp-geese of my b

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *