Augusta Free Press is courtside at the 2015 ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C. The third game of Wednesday’s second round pits #7 seed NC State (19-12, 10-8 ACC) and #10 seed Pitt (19-13, 8-10 ACC). The opening tip is set for 7 p.m.
AFP coverage of the 2015 ACC Tournament is brought to you by Allen and Carwile, P.C., in Waynesboro, and Swann Construction in Staunton.
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Greetings ACC Basketball fans and Welcome to the Day #2 Night Session. We are about 30 minutes away from the jump ball between #7 North Carolina State and #10 Pitt
The second half of tonight’s double header will have the Virginia Tech Hokies vs. Miami. Buzz Williams and his young squad advanced last night with a thrilling 81-80 victory over Wake Forrest.
Pitt enters tonights contest with a MUST win and then still have some work to do if it hopes to make the Big Dance. Most of the experts have N.C State already in the field but a win tonight would remove any remaining doubt.
A quick recap of the afternoon season shows us that #9 Florida State survived a battle with #8 Clemson and the Noles will next face #1 UVA.. #5 UNC handled Boston College and will face #4 U of L tomorrow afternoon.
The Pitt Pep Band is hard at it and the NC State band has now joined the show. While there is a great deal of Red in the seats the number of folks cutting it close is a bit of a surprise.
One of the cooler aspects to the ACC tourney is the Wall Street floor trading and selling that goes on before and after each session. If you have never experienced it before it is almost worth the price of admission.
The lights have been dimmed for the first time and the squads have taken the floor. Almost ready to Go.
WOOOOOOOLF PAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKK is the chant of choice right now !
Tip Time – 7:09
Pitt’s Coach Dixon has to be treating this one like a road game in a hostile gym.
Pitt’s man to man D is working well early.
Both coaches look like they could start in a ZZ Top video Sharp Dressed Man.
First Media TO comes at 15:24 with NCSU leading 6-2. The Pack fans have already made more noise than their Powder Blue counterparts did all afternoon.
Coliseum at about 95% capacity to start the night. Check back later to see how many make it to the buzzer of Va. Tech – Miami.
Pitt has connected on 3 straight jumpers after a slow start.
Winner of tonights contest will return tomorrow night to face #2 seeded Duke Blue Devils.
NCSU looking for the early TKO. Leading 16-8 at 12:31 and looking for more.
Second straight rebounding foul whistled against Pitt, one on both ends of the floor. Pack justappear hungrier than the Panthers right now.
Pitt breaks its scoring drought with a basketl from Jones. NCSU 16-10.
The run of games with scoring in the 70’s and 80’s might come to a screaching halt in this one.
Or maybe not with the number of fouls being called.
Interesting exchange between Dixon and the ref on the loose ball. Final answer is Pitt TO.
Does Wright’s shooting motion look odd on TV ?
Under 8:00 TO – NCSU 20, Pitt 13.
Wolfpack continue to connect on DEEP 3’s.
Barber now as 14 for the half to lead all scorers. 30-19 Pack
Make that 17 !
Final TO of the first half comes as Barber takes a spill near halfcourt. 2:11 remains with the Pack leading 33-21. Like the show of good sportsmanship after the foul.
Pitt 21, Barber 19
Oh My – Barber with an up & under ! The young man is simply putting on a show for the Red clad fans. 37-23 (0:5.3)
The first 20 minutes is in the books and it was an enjoyable half for the Pack faithful. Your score 37-23 and Barber finishes with 21.
Buzz Williams sharing a laugh with Jay Bilas during the break. Willams will try and do the unthinkable here in roughly one hour plus.
Stat line for Anthony Barber – 6 for 9 , 4 of 4 from 3 , 5 of 5 from the charity stripe with 2 assists and 1 rebound. Ladies and Gentleman : The Barber is in !
NC State has lead coast to coast with the largest lead being the current 14 points. Their defense has held Pitt to just 39% from the floor and 0 of 5 from deep. Not sure if the Panthers have an answer.
Chris Graham is hard at work preping for the Virginia Tech – Miami tilt that follows this one.
Pitt hits two early 3’s after going 0 for the first half. Is there hope ?
Pitt is showing a great deal of effort early on but needs to start cutting into the double digit deficit.
Great Hustle and then the Flush for State.
Media TO #1 (15:36) NCSU 44-32 but Pitt would appear to have plenty of fight left in them. Let’s hope.
In Pac 12 action today : Cal 84, Wassu 59 & USC 67, Arizona State 64.
One of the Pitt fans sitting behind me has yelled himsel speechless. Love the dedication.
Pitt has cut the lead down to 8 points and Barber has not scored in the half.
Big rebound by Anya keeps the ball with the Wolfpack
Derrick Randall hard to the hoop cuts the deficit to 48-40 but Pitt needs a stop.
Michael Young drains a 3 to cut it to seven but State continues to answer back.
Trevor Lacey launches the highest of high arching 3 balls and when it finds the bottom of the net Jamie Dixon needs a TO. Pack 55-43 with 10:13 to play.
A $500.00 shot from 3-point range…… I would have so owned that.
NCSU continues to maintain just enough space over Pitt and as the 8:00 mark lingers near Pitt might be out of time.
Wolfie and the cheer squad getting the crowd fired up and then some.
Almost nine hours in and still one game plus 8:17 to go.
Three breaks in the action with only 30 seconds coming off the clock. Media TO @ 7:53 with NCSU up 57-46.
Barber remains scoreless in the second half after dominating the opening one.
My ETA on the final buzzer for VT-Miami is now 11:58 p.m. Sure hope I am wrong on that one.
Barber goes 4 of 4 from the line and the lead is now 12 again.
Barber is back but Pitt refuses to go quietly into the night.
That was a rebound that the Panthers really needed.
Is it too early to start the parade to the foul line ? Guess not but An ya drains a pair. Once again it’s 12 points and counting.
NCSU will be shooting the double bonus the rest of the way.
Most impressive Dunk so far this week was just by An ya. Final Media TO @ 3:16 – Pack 69-58.
Pitt with the full court press, almost to perfection.
Waaaayyyy to late in the shot clock to commit that foul. Must play smarter.
Everytime that State has needed a big basket Mr. Barber has answered the bell. And 1.
Violent meeting at the rim, glad no one was injured on the play. FT’s Yes & Yes. Lead 9
Barber is magical out there tonight- great pass to Freeman for the And 1.
Sportscenter Top 10 for Barber ! Clinic being performed by Anthony Barber
If you are checking in for the Va Tech game expected tip around 9:45ish
Barber has 32 points and this was with a dry spell of about 10 minutes. Even more important is the clutch baskets throughout.
Pitt put up a solid fight but I am expecting the We Want Duke chants to begin shortly.
81-70 will be your final as the fellas dressed in Red advance to face the Blue Devils tomorrow night. Give Pitt credit for playing them tough but Barber was not going to be denied tonight.
Please join Chris Graham on the VT blog for all of the Hokie action vs. Miami !