Some folks come around to change quicker than others. I am not one of those said people as I am still not sure about letting Florida State into the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Our tournament was forced to have a silly Thursday night play-in game, and my feeling was that it would diminish the greatest sporting event in the country. Right about the time I started warming up to Bobby Bowden and the Tomahawk Chop, all heck broke loose.
The football powers to be started inviting all sorts to join “The League.” Invites went out to Blacksburg, Boston, Miami, South Bend, Louisville and Syracuse, of all places. My question was why, why and why once more?
Growing up in the Charlie Brown mind set of being a Duke University FOOTBALL fan that sport was time filler until it was time for hoops once again. It has always been and will always be about Tobacco Road hoops.
Great memories, from as far back to David Thompson and Monty Towe, Wally Walker in Landover, J.J Reddick and Tim Duncan, just to name a few. We didn’t need all of these other folks watering down the sport as we knew it.
Fast forward to this morning in Greensboro, North Carolina, and to use the term kid in a candy store would be a serious undersell. Making the short drive to the Coliseum today, I am not sure that the wheels of the Avalon even touched the road. You hear sports fanatics talk about the AFC & NFC Championship weekend is better than the Super Bowl and if this is true TODAY will be the greatest day of all of March Madness!
Eight teams and their fans will pack the beautiful complex for a day-long hoops fest. Five of the eight are in the Top 20, two more are looking to advance to the Big Dance and Florida State has a freshman that can score points faster than I can type.
The day will be filled with numerous storylines including traditional ACC power North Carolina and its Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams facing off with league newcomer Louisville and Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino. The opening game will showcase the most talked about defense since Lew Alcindor patrolled the lane for John Wooden as Coach Tony looks for back2back titles for his ‘Hoos.
The evening session has a tremendous Old School tilt with North Carolina State looking to derail the Duke Blue Devils. These two make the list of most bitter rivals in the ACC, falling in right behind Duke-UNC. The nightcap will bring us bubblelicious Miami and a determined Notre Dame squad
Miami coach Jim Larranaga could one day be bound for the Hall of Fame himself, but today his ‘Canes just need a win. The Fighting Irish are led by Mike Brey, with many pegging Brey as the heir apparent to Coach K at Duke.
One could talk for days just about the coaches on the court today, but let’s not forget that there will be a handful of future NBA lottery picks on display. Today they are not thinking about the millions they are destined to make soon, but finding their place in the history and lore that is the ACC tournament.
It is Christmas in March for all basketball junkies and today is exciting enough to make me reconsider that whole expansion thing. Just like the Internet, there might be a place for it after all.
Pull up a chair or purchase a ticket and simply enjoy the Greatest Day of March Madness!
– Column by Jerry Carter
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