What a great championship game to watch, and now, Duke has won an unbelievable seven of the last eight ACC Tournament titles.
J.J. Redick proved that he was the player of the year with 26 points. He hit those three straight-three's in the second half to give Duke the 10-point lead, and then when Duke was down 71-68, he tied it with a three. And then with Duke down 72-70, he hit another for the 73-72 lead, which Duke never gave back in the 78-76 win.
Boston College is good and they could have won this. Louis Hinnant was outstanding with 20 points including four out of five from three. Craig Smith 19 points 12 rebounds, but Redick named tournament MVP came up big. Shelden Williams played hard with 18 points eight rebounds and Duke's freshman played well. Josh McRoberts very assertive with 16 tough points and Greg Paulus with 10 points and five steals and had the smarts to call that timeout falling out of bounds at the end. Duke got beat on the boards as usual, but only turrned it over ten times.
This is Duke's 16th ACC Championship which is one more than Carolina for all-time best.
It's now on to the NCAAs. Duke is 30-3 and will be a No. 1 seed. Boston College will also get a good seed. With Connecticut and Villanova both losing in the Big East Tournament, Duke will probably be the top seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Now, it becomes interesting for Duke. How much did these three days in Greensboro take out of them? Remember, last year Redick had nothing left after the ACC and will McRoberts and Paulus continue to play well?
I'll be honest - I haven't been sold on them, but they lived up to their billing in the ACC Tournament.
Again, this is a Duke team that can be had. They don't rebound well, quickness bothers them and if Redick goes cold, well you know the rest.
It's on to the NCAAs. I think that Duke, UNC, Boston College and N.C.State will get bids. Personally, I don't think anyone else from the ACC deserves one but probably Florida State will sneak in. Maryland? No way.
Parings coming out shortly. Have fun everybody!
Tom Suiter
