The First Four starts tonight, and this affects the ACC because NC State and SMU are both in Dayton.
State plays tonight, and SMU on Wednesday.
The Pack plays in the late game tonight (9:30), after Kenny Blakeney’s Howard takes on UMBC in the early game. We’ll take Howard there.
Both State and Texas have been erratic, and both Will Wade and Sean Miller, in their first seasons in a new job, have been bewildered by their respective teams’ erratic play.
Both have had pressers where they essentially said
they have no idea what to expect from their team, or that they have no feel for this group.
Variations of that, but essentially the same point.
So who has the advantage?
It’s a tough call, but we’ll go with State. Quadir Copeland is having a really good year, Paul McNeil can be explosive, and Darrion Williams can certainly heat up, plus he probably retains some of that Red Raider disdain for the Longhorns (Williams transferred from Texas Tech).
As for SMU and Miami, the RedHawks have had an incredible year, but they haven’t played anyone. It’s not their fault – no one would schedule them – but look at some of their tight games. They beat Mercyhurst by 5, UMass by 2, Buffalo by 3 in overtime, and Toledo by 2.
UNC-G finished 15-19, and Miami only won by 11, and that was a home game.
Here’s what we think: this team has shown they know how to navigate close games. If they keep it close against SMU, it’s essentially a home game, and they’ll pull it out. But if SMU goes into the last 8:00 or so with a significant lead, it’s over.
One wild card: reports emerged yesterday that Miami coach Travis Steele will take the Butler job. He’s an alum, so it’s understandable.
How will that affect his team? It could go either way.
