10 Wbt §uiltortrian ACC hoops are here again! Christopher Behm That nemesis to the best laid of academic plans is here once again in the form of the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball season. This time of year even the most dedi cated student is apt to find his concentration hindered greatly by visions of three-pointers, slam dunks, and driving lay-ups. So that we can all devote more time to our studies (yeah, whatever) prior to taking in this year's action, I have prepared this brief overview of the participants in an effort to ensure that all hoop fans are properly pre pared when it comes time for tip off. Here follows, in alphabetical order, my expert analyses of this year's combatants: Clemson: Prior to the start of the season, many people didn't give the Tigers much of a chance. How ever, this team has shown some promise in early action. Espe cially in their game against UNC, the Tigers demonstrated that they can hang with better teams. As expected, Sharone Wright and Devin Gray are the two mainstays, but Chris Whitney is also danger ous at limes. The real question about this team will be depth: Do they have anyone off the bench A Slice of Life from the Butcher Yes Virginia, you deserve respect for the Wahoo-was Butch Maler Sunday afternoon the Univer sity of Virginia Cavaliers marched out of Cameron Indoor Stadium with a 77-69 win, their first victory at the Durham locale since the days when Ralph Sampson had knees. Oh, how UVa stood tall this weekend, while the Dookies sat on their hands—the Cameron Crazies bedeviled and bewildered by this 'Hoo team, the only remaining undefeated Division I school in the country. Picked to finish as an ACC also ran, Coach Jeff Jones opened up Virginia's outside shooting and also ran more to jump out of the gates at 11-0 (4-0 in the ACC). Quite a contrast to Terry Holland' s stick in the mud squads during the late 'Bos. A question remains. 'Hoo is this tea Sensational sophomore forward Junior Burrough is the Cavs' go-to guy, earning him the nickname of "The Black Hole." When the ball is sent in to Burrough, you're not likely to see it come out again. Second-year point guard Cory 'exander has stepped ud to take who can produce some points? If someone steps up and fills the role, watch for Clemson to grab a few wins. Duke: As expected, Duke has looked very impressive at times this season. However, they have already accumulated two losses in ACC action. Against both Georgia Tech and Virginia, Duke proved that they are not invincible. Bobby Hurley, Grant Hill, and Thomas Hill are three of the best in the country, but three does not a team make. Cherokee Parks and Anto nio Lang must come to play every night and the Blue Devils must get quality minutes from Marty Clark, Chris Collins, and Eric Meek to have any hopes of bringing an other championship banner to the temple that Krzyzewski built. Florida State: Pat Kennedy's crew faced high expectations coming into this, their second season in the ACC. But now the Seminoles seem to be suffering from their own pre vious successes. Although they are still a very good team, FSU is not able to sneak in and steal wins as in the 1992 season. With excellent starters in Doug Edwards and Sam Cassell, help from the bench in Bob Sura, and the long-awaited (and much needed) return of over ball-handling duties, break ing Jones' assist record last sea son.. Senior Doug Smith spelled the foul-plagued Alexander with 14 second-half points versus Duke. Cornel Parker has improved immensely this year as a shooting guard after changing his jersey number. Parker, in his third year at Charlottesville, did a number on Duke with nine boards Sunday. Senior center Ted Jeffries has hinted as emerging as a scorer, flirting with 20 points aginst Florida State. Forwards Jason Williford and Yuri Barnes offer consistent inside play—nothing spectacular—and if Chris Havlicek ever emerges from beneath his father John's shadow...well, 'Hoo knows. Besides these unassuming play ers, the cupboard's pretty bare. The Cavs would do better to suit up their coach, a fine guard in his own right a decade ago, than to pry any other guys from their seats on the sidelines. The depth factor aside, Thomas Jefferson's hoop reps are a top ten item i n every poll for now. That's nice for an ego boost, if for not much else. Where in college footbaii teams Sports Charlie Ward from football, the Seminoles will continue to improve greatly and be a force to be reck oned with come tournament time. Georgia Tech: Once again, Bobby Cremins has demonstrated that he is one of the top recruiters in the nation. This year's team boasts an excellent array of talent Malcolm Mackey, James Forrest, and Travis Bestare proven players, but Forrest and Best are only sophomores! Into this group, Cremins has added two excellent freshmen, Martice Moore and Drew Barry (whose brother Jon graduated last year—where do they grow these guys?). The key to the season will be the play of cen ter Ivano Newbill, who got off to a shaky start If he comes around and the Jackets get some bench sup port, look for them to be running on all cylinders. Maryland: For the most part, things look dire for the Terps this season. The only real bright spot for Gary Williams will continue to be Evers Bums at forward. Johnny Rhodes is a highly touted freshman, but he has mighty shoes to fill following the departure of Walt "The Wiz ard" Williams to the NBA. An 0-4 start might be the unfortunate indi cator of a long season to come. frantically jockey for poll position come bowl time, the college bas ketball season is more of a prepa ratory program for the advanced courses dubbed "March Madness." Since this article, Virginia has traveled to the Dean Dome and Butcher's Best Baker's Dozen # Team W-L 1. Virginia 11-0 2. Kansas 14-1 3. Indiana 15-2 4. Michigan 13-2 5. No. Carolina 14-1 6. Kentucky 11-1 7. Duke 12-2 8. Arkansas 12-1 9. Cincinnati 11-1 1.0. SetonHall 14-2 11. Oklahoma 12-3 12. lowa 12-3 13. Purdue 11-2 Sporrswriters needed! If you are interested in sports and like to write, The Gullfordian sports section wants you! CaU Klley at 2306 or drop a note in Box 17273. No experience needed! N.C. State: The Wolfpack seemed to have the cards stacked against them from the start. Shootings, suicides, andkey injuries read more like a soap opera than a sports page, but Les Robinson's positive attitude and leadership has demon strated his worth. Still, there is not much hope here now that Tom Gugliotta is gone, Bryant Feggins is inactive, and Migjen Bakalli is injured. The only bright spot is Kevin Thompson, who has greatly improved in the last couple of sea sons. Judging from an 0-3 start, the freshmen will have to mature quickly if there is to be any success in Raleigh this season. North Carolina: The Tarheels have an excellent team this season. Eric Montross and George Lynch are playing at their peaks. Brian Reese and Derrick Phelps are good role players, while freshman Dante Calabriahasprogressednicely. The questions here are at second guard and outside shooting. UNC must be able to shoot from the outside to keep defenses from collapsing on Montross and they must find some one who can play better than Henrik Rodl (which shouldn't be hard). If they can succeed at 'hese points, the Heels may make a run to the Final Four. Carolina to Cameron, so early on in this ACC season the conference standings have already gone through a game of musical chairs. Come March, we'll have to see who's sitting pretty when the mu sic stops. Comments Excitedly undefeated; won at Duke Hawks have truly balanced squad Snuck by Michigan; Purdue's a test Had beaten UNC; Wolves not soph-t Beating U-Va would make them best Frosh Rhodes needs no Cat's cradle It was bound to happen—better now Young Razorbacks are razor sharp Nick at night shoots outta sight Come March they'll be right De-here Lost three Sooner th?n thev wanted Wore them down did Earl of Duke Mr. Robinson's not too neighborly lanuarp 22, 1993 Virginia: Surprise, Surprise! The Cavaliers (as of this writing) are undefeated. For a team that lost a player of Bry ant Stith, this has been quite a feat. UVA, however, is loaded with previously unrecognized talent. Cory Alexander, Cornel Parker, Doug Smith, and Junior Burrough have all progressed nicely in the league. Even Ted Jeffries, who used to have trouble finding even the backboard, has developed some offensive capability. The problem with the Cavs is the lack of a "go to" player; everyone must contrib ute consistently. What happens when someone hits a slump? If slumps can be avoided, look for the Cavaliers to go well into the postseason. Wake Forest: Things have not quite gone as expected for the Deacons. The loss of four starters has been noticeable in their play. Randolph Childress. Rodney Rodgers, and transfer Charlie Harrison (Georgetown) have played well, but not excellent. The keys to this team, however, will be consistent play from center Derrick Hicks and forward Trelonnie Owens. If Hicks can't handle the big men of the ACC and Owens is invisible (as he has been so far), it may be a long season for WFU fans. Anyway, look for up to six ACC teams to make the 64-team NCAA toumamentand perhaps eight from the Big Ten. That's nearly a quar ter of the entrants coming from two conferences.