Friday, March 13, 2009
Heels, Hokies set for Round 2 of ACC tournament
North Carolina, which beat Virginia Tech just nine days ago, could be without PG Ty Lawson.
Associated Press
North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough (left) totaled 22 points and 15 rebounds in an 86-78 win over Virginia Tech on March 4.
ATLANTA -- Virginia Tech sophomore J.T. Thompson didn't hesitate for a moment when asked about his rooting interest as a youngster in the Charlotte area.
"I grew up as a Tar Heel fan but that's all behind me," Thompson said Thursday after Tech's 65-47 victory over Miami in the first round of the ACC Tournament. "Now, I'm bleeding maroon and orange."
The Hokies (18-13) advanced to a quarterfinal meeting with regular-season champion and top-ranked North Carolina, which could be without injured point guard Ty Lawson for today's noon tipoff at the Georgia Dome.
"When I was a freshman, I was like, 'Ooooh, we're playing Carolina,'" Thompson said. "But they've beaten us every time since I've been here. It's gotten a little frustrating. It's time we beat them."
It's been only nine days since the last Carolina-Tech meeting, won by the Tar Heels 86-78 in Blacksburg. Thompson started and played 26 minutes in that game, finishing with eight points and five rebounds.
He didn't start Thursday against the Hurricanes, but Thompson, a rugged, 6-foot-6, 210-pounder, finished with 12 points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes.
"He was the Energizer Bunny today," Tech coach Seth Greenberg said." He gave us great toughness. He was flying around. J.T. gave us energy off the bench that was special."
Also playing a big role for the Hokies was a second Carolinian and Thompson's cousin, 6-5 sophomore Dorenzo Hudson, whose 3-pointer helped spark the Hokies on a 6-0 game-opening run. Hudson also had defensive responsibilities for first-team All-ACC selection Jack McClinton, who was 4-of-11 from the field and finished with nine points, one assist and seven turnovers.
One of the most poignant sights of the day was McClinton going to the bench with 4:22 remaining and not returning.
"At that point in time, he had played 32 minutes and we decided just to play it out," said Miami coach Frank Haith, whose team trailed 59-40 at the time. "He hasn't played like himself for the last three or four games -- since he hurt [a knee]. I don't want to make excuses. I think Virginia Tech just whipped us."
Said McClinton: "It was feeling much better than before, but it's still not where it should be, [but] lots of guys have injuries you probably don't know about. You don't play great all the time and, unfortunately, I had a bad day in this big of a game. There is nothing you can do."
There also could be an injury angle to the Hokies' game today with North Carolina (27-3). Tar Heels spokesman Steve Kirschner said Thursday night that Lawson, named ACC player of the year earlier in the week, is not expected to play.
That could change if Lawson feels better this morning, but a sprained right toe suffered last Friday in practice has not improved significantly since Sunday, when Lawson played 36 minutes in a 79-71 victory over visiting Duke.
"They say that it's something that takes quite a while to go away," coach Roy Williams said in an ACC coaches' teleconference Monday. "I don't think everybody reacts to it the same way."
If Lawson can't go, senior Bobby Frasor or freshman Larry Drew Jr. would take his place in what has been an iron-man UNC starting five.
Williams obviously wouldn't want to jeopardize Carolina's readiness for the NCAA tournament.
"I think you have to be aware of that situation," he said. "What if he plays one game and it flares up? You'd be silly to play him."
It might hurt the Tar Heels' chances of a third straight ACC championship, but that wouldn't mean the end of the season.
"I even had one publication say about last year, 'Was it a success or failure?'" Williams said. "We go 36-3 and win the regular season and conference championships and people ask if it's a success or failure. You tell me how important [the ACC Tournament] is."
