Georgia Tech at Virginia, 2 p.m. ACC Network
Note: Vote on my pole to left -- who will find Victory Lane today?
The Cavaliers will try to avenge an earlier loss to Georgia Tech today at John Paul Jones Arena. On Super Bowl Sunday, the Yellow Jackets beat the Cavaliers, 66-60. Virginia controlled most of the game and led 37-28 at halftime and the Jackets did not take the lead until there was 1:19 remaining. Nevertheless, it ended up being one of UVa's five ACC losses as Georgia Tech outscored Virginia 38-23 in the second half.
Georgia Tech had four players score in double figures despite not having anyone averaging double figures coming into the game: Mfon Udofia (15 points), Robert Carter (14), Chris Bolden (14), and Kammeon Holsey (12).
For Virginia, Joe Harris had 18 points, only four of which came after halftime. Akil Mitchell missed several close shots but had 13 points and Justin Anderson came off the bench to score 10 points. Mitchell was the only force on the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds. Tech outrebounded Virginia, 32-29.
The Yellow Jackets do now have a player who is averaging at least 10 ppg, Marcus Georges-Hunt (10.7), a freshman guard/forward. He had seven points against the 'Hoos in the previous meeting. He has scored 12, 16, 11, and 13 points the past four games. Carter (9.8), Holsey (9.3), and Udofia (8.8) are close behind in the points department.
Georgia Tech is 14-11 and 4-9 in the ACC. It was 1-6 in the ACC before playing UVa so the Jackets have been playing better recently. They have single-digit ACC losses to Clemson twice, Florida State, and Virginia Tech so they are a few points away from having a winning conference record. They are 4-4 since Jan. 26, alternating wins and losses. Last time out, Tech fell 70-58 at home to North Carolina. Recent history suggests Georgia Tech will win this game, but hopefully UVa can stop the Jackets' recent trend of following up a loss with a victory.
Virginia fell at the No. 2 team in the country, Miami, on Tuesday, 54-50 (though the Hurricanes won't be No. 2 on Monday because they got walloped by Wake Forest of all teams Saturday, 80-65, suffering their first ACC loss of the season). UVa has lost consecutive games for only the second time this season but has yet to lose three in a row.
Now would not be a good time to start as the Wahoos (18-8, 8-5 ACC) need all the wins they can get down the stretch to make the Big Dance. The Yellow Jackets are a young team, with only one senior -- Udofia. I expect them to make a lot of noise in coming years but they are a dangerous team right now and I hope UVa respects that. Losing to them last time will probably help the players' focus. I am a little worried the Cavs are looking ahead to their big contest with Duke this week. Luckily, that game is Thursday, though, so it is more difficult to look ahead to it than if it was being played Tuesday or Wednesday. Virginia can't afford to not focus on one team at a time right now. Every win from here out is critical.
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Daytona 500, 1 p.m. FOX
The Daytona 500 is today as the Sprint Cup season officially gets under way. Danica Patrick will indeed start from the pole as she kept her primary car out of trouble all week. I think it could be tough for her to lead a lap, though, as she has some major competition around her from talented drivers. Jeff Gordon starts second, Kevin Harvick third, and Kyle Busch fourth. Harvick and Busch won the Budweiser Duels. Not far behind are drivers such as Greg Biffle (fifth), Matt Kenseth (ninth), Jimmie Johnson (12th) and Tony Stewart (13th).
Hopefully there aren't any horrific crashes during today's race. The Nationwide race Saturday, won by Stewart, was marred by a terrible accident as the race ended, collecting several cars. Rookie Kyle Larson's car went airborne and crashed into the fence. Parts from his car showered into the crowd, injuring 28 people. All the drivers were OK, but at least two fans were in serious condition as of Saturday evening.
The celebration for Stewart took a backseat in Victory Lane as he and other drivers expressed their worry for the fans.
Stewart said to ESPN: "The important thing is what's going on on the frontstretch right now ... we [drivers] assume that risk, but it's hard when the fans get caught up in it."
Note: Vote on my pole to left -- who will find Victory Lane today?
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| Mfon Udofia |
Georgia Tech had four players score in double figures despite not having anyone averaging double figures coming into the game: Mfon Udofia (15 points), Robert Carter (14), Chris Bolden (14), and Kammeon Holsey (12).
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| Robert Carter Jr. |
The Yellow Jackets do now have a player who is averaging at least 10 ppg, Marcus Georges-Hunt (10.7), a freshman guard/forward. He had seven points against the 'Hoos in the previous meeting. He has scored 12, 16, 11, and 13 points the past four games. Carter (9.8), Holsey (9.3), and Udofia (8.8) are close behind in the points department.
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| Marcus Georges-Hunt |
Virginia fell at the No. 2 team in the country, Miami, on Tuesday, 54-50 (though the Hurricanes won't be No. 2 on Monday because they got walloped by Wake Forest of all teams Saturday, 80-65, suffering their first ACC loss of the season). UVa has lost consecutive games for only the second time this season but has yet to lose three in a row.
Now would not be a good time to start as the Wahoos (18-8, 8-5 ACC) need all the wins they can get down the stretch to make the Big Dance. The Yellow Jackets are a young team, with only one senior -- Udofia. I expect them to make a lot of noise in coming years but they are a dangerous team right now and I hope UVa respects that. Losing to them last time will probably help the players' focus. I am a little worried the Cavs are looking ahead to their big contest with Duke this week. Luckily, that game is Thursday, though, so it is more difficult to look ahead to it than if it was being played Tuesday or Wednesday. Virginia can't afford to not focus on one team at a time right now. Every win from here out is critical.
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Daytona 500, 1 p.m. FOX
The Daytona 500 is today as the Sprint Cup season officially gets under way. Danica Patrick will indeed start from the pole as she kept her primary car out of trouble all week. I think it could be tough for her to lead a lap, though, as she has some major competition around her from talented drivers. Jeff Gordon starts second, Kevin Harvick third, and Kyle Busch fourth. Harvick and Busch won the Budweiser Duels. Not far behind are drivers such as Greg Biffle (fifth), Matt Kenseth (ninth), Jimmie Johnson (12th) and Tony Stewart (13th).
Hopefully there aren't any horrific crashes during today's race. The Nationwide race Saturday, won by Stewart, was marred by a terrible accident as the race ended, collecting several cars. Rookie Kyle Larson's car went airborne and crashed into the fence. Parts from his car showered into the crowd, injuring 28 people. All the drivers were OK, but at least two fans were in serious condition as of Saturday evening.
The celebration for Stewart took a backseat in Victory Lane as he and other drivers expressed their worry for the fans.
Stewart said to ESPN: "The important thing is what's going on on the frontstretch right now ... we [drivers] assume that risk, but it's hard when the fans get caught up in it."
Do you think it is a hindrance or an advantage for drivers to race in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series? I've always been mixed on the topic. It seems like racing back-to-back days could be tiring, but perhaps it could give drivers a better feel for the track?
ReplyDeleteI think mostly it can help. And the Nationwide races are generally quite shorter so it doesn't tire them out like if they were doing back to back 400- or 500-mile races.
ReplyDelete