The ACC basketball schedule is quiet this week as players prepare for exams. Only two conference teams will play before the weekend.
The slate picks up this weekend with 12 games, including Duke’s potentially monumental matchup with Toledo. Yes, that Toledo. It’s not so much the opponent that bears significance, but rather what is at stake.
Blue Devils’ coach Mike Krzyzewski stands one win shy of 700 for his career.
“Treat each game like a treasure and prepare for it that way; that’s what I’ve tried to do during my 30 years. And we’ve won a lot of games. I’m shocked that we’ve won that many, but that’s the way it is,” Krzyzewski said. “I would have never had expected that during my time at West Point, and really, during my first three years at Duke. We only had 38 after our first three years. I’ve had a lot of guys win a lot of games for me since then.”
The ACC’s longest-tenured coach speculated that he likely would not be in pursuit of the milestone had he begun his career in this era, where coaches who don’t win right away don’t last very long.
“If I’d started out that way here right during this period of time, I probably would not be a head coach now, and you would never be going for 700,” Krzyzewski said.
Only five active NCAA coaches have reached the 700-win plateau.
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Seven ACC teams remain in this week’s AP national rankings with five occupying spots in the top 12. In the ESPN/USA TODAY coaches poll, the conference boasts five teams in the top 10. Georgia Tech is perched at No. 3 in each poll.
The Yellow Jackets (5-0) have retained their place among the nation’s elite with a stout defense that has allowed a league-best 53.4 points per game while holding opponents to an ACC-low 33.7 percent from the field.
“Of course you hope it can stay that way,” Yellow Jackets coach Paul Hewitt said. “You realistically know that especially as you get into the ACC season, you’re going to play against some great teams and some great offensive players, and you’re not going to be able to do that. But you can certainly try.”
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Terrapin coach Gary Williams said he would like to see Chris McCray take more shots. The junior guard ranks fifth in the conference in field goal percentage, hitting 60.8 percent of his attempts.
“We’re just not getting him the ball enough,” Williams said. “Hopefully we can take care of that this week.
Junior point guard John Gilchrist ranks second in the conference with 7.17 assists per game.
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ACC teams are 53-11 in non-conference play this season and 6-2 against ranked opponents. … Duke’s J.J. Redick, who leads the league in scoring with 21.8 points per game, is the reigning ACC player of the week. Virginia’s Sean Singletary and Clemson’s Cliff Hammonds were named ACC co-rookies of the week. Singletary led the Cavaliers with 25 points Friday in a win over Auburn. … N.C. State’s Julius Hodge has a league-best 22-game streak of scoring in double figures.
