Tuesday February 16, 2010

The Stretch Run

The Stretch Run
The ACC’s regular season has three weeks left. Below is a look at each team’s RPI, strength of schedule, record, ACC record, remaining schedule and post-season outlook. The RPIs are from before last night’s Maryland-Virginia contest.

Duke
RPI 2 SOS 7 Record 21-4 ACC 9-2
Remaining Schedule-@ Miami RPI 80, Virginia Tech RPI 50, Tulsa RPI 68, @ Virginia RPI 95, @ Maryland RPI 42, North Carolina RPI 81
Outlook-Duke is playing for the top seed in the ACC tournament and a number-one seed in the NCAA tournament. The Blue Devils have the tie breaker over Wake Forest due to their 20 point win over the Deacs in Cameron.

Wake Forest
RPI 11 SOS 22 Record 18-5 ACC 8-3
Remaining Schedule-@ Virginia Tech RPI 50, @ NC State RPI 120, North Carolina RPI 81, @ Florida State RPI 45, Clemson RPI 34
Outlook-Wake Forest can still catch Duke in the ACC standings but are essentially 1.5 games behind because of the tie breaker. The Deacs should be able to secure a first round bye in the ACC tournament and are trying to improve their seed in the NCAA tourney.

Georgia Tech
RPI 29 SOS 12 Record 16-8 ACC 5-6
Remaining Schedule--North Carolina RPI 81, @ Maryland 42, Boston College RPI 105, @ Clemson RPI 34, Virginia Tech RPI 50
Outlook-The Jackets have a losing record in the ACC and need to get to 8-8 to make the NCAA tournament. Their RPI and SOS are very good and will assist but they still need to get to 8-8.

Clemson
RPI 34 SOS 35 Record 18-7 ACC 6-5
Remaining Schedule-- Virginia RPI 95, @ Maryland RPI 42, @ Florida State RPI 45, Georgia Tech RPI 29, @ Wake Forest RPI 11
Outlook-Because the Tigers have a strong SOS and RPI then they can make the tournament at 8-8. Clemson needs to hold serve at home to get 8 wins. Clemson, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Virginia and Florida State are fighting for the third and fourth seeds in the ACC to get the first round bye.

Maryland
RPI 42 SOS 33 Record 16-7 ACC 7-3
Remaining Schedule--@ NC State RPI 120, Georgia Tech RPI 29, Clemson RPI 34, @ Virginia Tech RPI 50, Duke RPI 2, @ Virginia RPI 95
Outlook-The Terps still have six games left with three at home and three on the road. Maryland is almost a lock to get to 8-8 or better which should be good enough for an NCAA bid. The Terps could get to 10 or 11 wins which would insure a a first round bye in the ACC tournament.

Florida State
RPI 45 SOS 62 Record 18-7 ACC 6-5
Remaining Schedule--@Virginia RPI 95, @ North Carolina RPI 81, Clemson RPI 34, Wake Forest RPI 11, @ Miami RPI 80
Outlook-The Seminoles have two home games and three road contests left but the road games are much more manageable than the home tilts. FSU’s RPI and SOS are pretty good but 8-8 may not be a lock for the NCAA tournament with their numbers.

Virginia Tech
RPI 50 SOS 161 Record 20-4 ACC 7-3
Remaining Schedule--Wake Forest RPI 11, @ Duke RPI 2, @ Boston College RPI 105, Maryland RPI 42, NC State RPI 120, @ Georgia Tech RPI 29
Outlook-Tech has 20 wins and are 7-3 in the conference but their SOS is awful. The 161 SOS will hurt. So will the 50 RPI. But the Hokies still have a chance to get to 10 wins in the league which make them a virtual lock for the NCAA tournament.

Miami
RPI 80 SOS 138 Record 16-8 ACC 3-8
Remaining Schedule--Duke RPI 2, Virginia RPI 95, NC State 120, @ North Carolina 81, Florida State RPI 45
Outlook-Miami is relegated to a spoiler’s role in the last five ACC games. Miami needs a miracle to get to 8-8.

North Carolina
RPI 81 SOS 16 Record 14-11 ACC 3-7
Remaining Schedule--@Georgia Tech RPI 29, @ Boston College RPI 105, Florida State RPI 45, @ Wake Forest RPI 11, Miami RPI 80, @ Duke RPI 2
Outlook-The Tar Heels can still get to 8-8 but it will take a tremendous turnaround. It is rare but UNC will need a big ACC tournament to make the NCAA tourney.

Virginia
RPI 95 SOS 98 Record 14-9 ACC 5-5
Remaining Schedule--Florida State 45, @ Clemson RPI 34, @ Miami RPI 80, Duke RPI 2, @ Boston College RPI 105, Maryland RPI 42
Outlook-Virginia got off to a great start in the conference and still have a chance to get to 8-8 but their RPI and SOS might require nine regular season wins to make the NCAA tournament.

Boston College
RPI 105 SOS 30 Record 12-13 ACC 3-8
Remaining Schedule-North Carolina RPI 81, Virginia Tech RPI 50, @ Georgia Tech RPI 29, Virginia RPI 95, @ NC State RPI 120
Outlook-The Eagles may play spoiler when they host Virginia Tech or Virginia or visit Georgia Tech.

NC State
RPI 120 SOS 94 Record 14-12 ACC 2-9
Remaining Schedule--Maryland RPI 42, Wake Forest RPI 11, @ Miami RPI 80, @ Virginia Tech RPI 50, Boston College RPI 105
Outlook-Sidney Lowe may want to win a few down the stretch to get off of the hot seat.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard, Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Kaitlyn L, Eric Boessneck, John Bowers, Jimmy Ness, Susan Miller, Joyce Harley, Steve Proveaux, John Petrey, Chalmers Carr, Drayton Melton, Jeffrey Greene, the Hutto family, Sherl Drawdy, Caleb Kennedy, Bob Pollock, Teresa O'Connor, Matt Jacobs, Mike Kingsmore,Perrin Seigler, Carole White Begley, Candee Massee, Lindsey Jordan, Sam Catoe, Tyler Felch, Steve Cato, the Nicolopulos family, Cason Palmer, Candace Fallaw, Scott Jackson, "the Jacksonville, FL guys", Kim Sims, the Coyle familty.