ACC Women's Rematch ... And More

I will be covering Saturday’s Maryland women's game at Duke, which of course, is the rematch of last year's National Championship game in which Maryland came from 13 down in the second half to win it.

What struck me about this game was how Duke tightened down the stretch. As the game got closer, Maryland seemed to be enjoying it -- embracing it -- while the Blue Devils had the sense of dread. I saw it on Gail Goestenkor's face and that translated to her players. The Devils became tighter than a rope in a tug of war. This is a game that Duke should have won, and I know that they’re still not over it.

However, without last year's stars, Monique Currie and Mistie Williams, they’ve put it behind them enough to be 17-0 and ranked third in the country. But truthfully they haven’t been tested yet.

The test will come Saturday against the 18-0 Terps who are ranked No. 1 in the country -- and with everybody back from last season.

The game's at 12:30 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and this one shouldn’t be missed. And how good is ACC women’s basketball with Maryland, UNC and Duke 1-2-3 in the nation.

Now, Carolina’s men’s team is ranked No. 1 in the country, but they have not played many game outside of the friendly confines of the Dean E. Smith Center.

On Saturday, they play at Virginia Tech. Tech upset Duke at Duke last Saturday, and now, they’ll try to handle the Heels. That’s easier said than done.

Virginia Tech has excellent guards, but what makes Carolina so good is their amazing depth. Roy Williams plays everybody, and they just wear you down. Virginia made a game of it in Chapel Hill on Wednesday, but in the end, just didn’t have enough in the tank. I expect they’ll do the same to the Hokies tomorrow. I very much believe running with Carolina is like picking a fight with a pack of lions. It’s really dangerous.

State has fallen to 0-3 in the ACC and 10-6 overall. The Pack has to feel they can break through at Wake Forest. The Deacons are 9-6 overall, 1-2 in the ACC, and like State they have many problems.

I haven’t seen Wake all that much, but what I’ve seen has been enough to tell me they’re in for the second straight long season.

The Wolfpack will again probably play without point guard Engin Atsur, who’s still plagued with hamstring problems. It doesn’t appear that he will be 100 percent this season, and that puts so much pressure on the rest of this thin team. State can score but they can’t defend and depth will be a huge issue this entire season. Still, they can win at Wake, but yeah, the Deacons can certainly beat them.

On Sunday, Duke goes to Miami. I think Miami may be the worst team in the ACC yet they win at Maryland. I have to believe Duke, despite all their problems will win this one.

At Georgia Tech on Wednesday they forced 28 Tech turnovers but still lost by 11. That’s because their offense is a mess. In the past, Duke would have won this one in a walk but the past doesn’t win you games in the present.

Coach K likes challenges and a challenge he does have. Duke right now is looking at its worst team since the 95-96 season. But this team is young, and youngsters do grow.

Oh, the Hurricanes are now within four points of Atlanta in the Southeast Division, pending what the Thrashers do on Friday and hosting the Thrashers Saturday night.

The Canes, with an amazing six goals in the third period, rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat Florida on Thursday. That rally was reminiscent of last season, but on a whole Carolina didn’t like the way they played. But still, points are points and the Canes have a chance to pick up a lot of them this month.

The Canes have owned the Thrashers this season going 3-0, and Atlanta’s been struggling. You think they’ll feel the pressure Saturday? I think so.