Tough, yet entertaining match-ups were anticipated for the ACC tournament semifinals as UVA vs. Pitt and Duke vs. NC State were on today’s schedule. To the enjoyment of all in attendance and watching on television neither game disappointed.
Virginia: 51 Pittsburgh: 48
Virginia, who came into this year’s ACC tournament with the league’s best record and defense, would face one of their toughest challenges of the season in a scrappy Pitt team that has been playing the best basketball of their season in Greensboro.
The Panthers fought back from a 8-point second half deficit to put themselves in a position to win at the end, but it would be a controversial non-call with less than 10 seconds remaining, which would’ve given the Pitt the lead, that received the most post-game attention.
“We just saw it on video,” Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon said of the swallowed whistle. “What can you do? What can you do? Just watched it. Everybody saw it.”
When asked whether he made contact with Pitt’s Lamar Patterson, UVA’s Akil Mitchell admitted there was a little bit.
“I wanted to contest it as best as I could. I definitely didn’t want to foul. But, you know, they let it go.”
Despite the controversial call, you can’t take anything away from a Cavalier team that has played swarming defense all season long. They’ve earned their place in Sunday’s game where it will be their first championship appearance since 1994.
Duke: 75 NC State: 67
It was a battle of in-state foes and ACC charter members as the NC State Wolfpack took on the Duke Blue Devils in the second game of the ACC tournament semifinals. Two of the league’s premier offensive players in TJ Warren and Jabari Parker headlined this match up, but it would be Rodney Hood’s defense on Warren, and Rasheed Sulaimon and Quinn Cooks’ offensive contribution that would help fuel a Blue Devil win against a State team that’s playing for their NCAA tourney lives.
“Quinn and Rasheen were terrific,” Coach K said when asked about their combined 30 points. “Quinn came in and gave us a huge lift. When they went zone, Quinn hit that three, I think that gave us a double digit lead. Quinn had a heck of a second half in this game.”
With an impressive tournament wins over Miami and Syracuse, in addition to playing one of the nation’s best teams in Duke very competively, State’s head Coach Mark Gottfried says he feels his squad has done enough to earn a coveted NCAA bid.
“I think our league is a great league. I hope that we don’t get penalized with our record in the league when you play in a great league like ours. I certainly think the committee…I’ve talked to a number of members different years, not this year. I trust them. I do. I hope they really take a good look at our team and see how much better we are than we were at the beginning.”
As NC State will wait until Sunday evening to learn their tourney fate, two locks will face each other at 1pm for the ACC tournament championship.
Tomorrow will mark the first tournament championship between Duke and Virginia. The Blue Devils handed the Cavaliers one of their two ACC regular season losses, winning 69-65 at Durham, NC on Jan. 13.
Day 4 Notes:
*Duke freshman Jabari Parker celebrated his 19th birthday today with 20 points – his 16th consecutive double digit scoring game.
*During halftime of the first game the 2014 ACC Legends class was recognized at center court. The 15 players/coaches honored were: Jack McGee, Tree Rollins, Gene Banks, Al Thornton, Travis Best, John Lucas, Steven Edwards, Eric Montross, Julius Hodge, Pat Garrity, Don Hennon, Dave Bing, Terry Holland, Bobby Stevens and Sam Ivy.
*Dick Vitale came onto the court handing out informational pamphlets on press row about his Dickie V foundation. Looks like Vitale sells on and off the mic.
*Duke continues to be the team everyone loves to hate. Despite having fans in attendance from all ACC schools, only the Blue Devil faithful cheered for them. Everyone else was clearly pro-NC State.