ACC 2024-25 Season

[DallasDomer]

You literally cannot divide by zero, so what are you talking about?

You can but the result is a singularity. Stated more simply what would be the assist to turnover ratio for the UVA game? 6/0= infinity.

All I was trying to say was that while an individual player's game performance is important a larger sample size with more games and or more players is also useful measure.

 

[WBBTakeover]

You can but the result is a singularity. Stated more simply what would be the assist to turnover ratio for the UVA game? 6/0= infinity.

All I was trying to say was that while an individual player's game performance is important a larger sample size with more games and or more players is also useful measure.

Okay, I agree with that.

But I would say that almost half a conference season's worth of games is a sufficient enough sample size to draw conclusions about a player's in-conference play. I don't think that any Duke fans are trying to crown Mair as an All-ACC player (at least I'm not saying that). We're just saying that she has been rock solid for the team this year--and it's noticeable.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Ouch! The folks in red won't like that outcome. Unless the two teams meet again in the ACC Tournament, the baby blue-clad crew will have bragging rights for an entire year.

 

[nwhoopfan]

Don't really know where to put this. @triaddukefan can't help but think of you when I see the Allstate commercial with the teen who goes over to his girlfriend's house to meet the parents. They're all decked out in North Carolina gear, he's wearing a Duke sweatshirt. Awkward! Dad is disgusted, daughter is flabbergasted, kid just closes the front door and walks away.

 

[triaddukefan]

Don't really know where to put this. @triaddukefan can't help but think of you when I see the Allstate commercial with the teen who goes over to his girlfriend's house to meet the parents. They're all decked out in North Carolina gear, he's wearing a Duke sweatshirt. Awkward! Dad is disgusted, daughter is flabbergasted, kid just closes the front door and walks away.

I actually have never seen that commercial

 

[WBBTakeover]

Does anyone want to take a stab at ACC awards? Here are some of my thoughts/predictions:

Player of the Year: Hannah Hidalgo, guard, sophomore, Notre Dame

It wasn't close for me. Not only do I think she's the best player on the best team in the conference, she's the best player...period. Her presence on the court on both ends is palpable. So much might in such a tiny package.

Also considered: Ta'Niya Latson (junior, guard, Florida State), Olivia Miles (senior, guard, Notre Dame), Aziaha James (senior, guard, NC State)

Coach of the Year: Niele Ivey, Notre Dame

This is the best team that Niele's ever had, and she's making the most of it. They have a real shot at 18-0. There will be hurdles to clear to get there, but she's got the team equipped to make that push.

Also considered: Wes Moore (NC State), Charmin Smith (California), Jeff Walz (Louisville), Megan Duffy (Virginia Tech), North Carolina's head coach

Defensive Player of the Year: Hidalgo

I don't put too much "stock" into "stocks" (steals and blocks) for this award, but for those who do--Hannah is leading the conference in steals (3.71 ACC only) by a good margin. I also refuse to give a full-throated endorsement to a Florida State player given their defensive reputation (even though she might have a better shot of winning the award if she played for a different team).

Also considered: Makayla Timpson (senior, forward, Florida State), Latasha Lattimore (senior, forward, Virginia), Alyssa Ustby (senior, guard, North Carolina), Maria Gakdeng (senior, forward, North Carolina), Saniya Rivers (senior, guard, NC State), Liatu King (grad, forward, Notre Dame), Sonia Citron (senior, guard, Notre Dame)

Rookie of the Year and Sixth Woman of the Year: Toby Fournier (freshman, forward, Duke) and Dani Carnegie (freshman, Georgia Tech)

Honestly, I believe that whoever doesn't receive the first award will receive the second (since they're both freshmen). Ergo, I'm not putting too much thought into these two awards. I do predict that Toby will win ROY because her play has elevated beyond that of Carnegie during the ACC season.

Also considered: Taijanna Roberts (for ROY)

Most Improved: Carys Baker, sophomore, Virginia Tech

The Good Sis Megan Duffy took a lightly relied-upon reserve and helped transform her into a versatile player who averages 15 pts/7 reb in ACC-only play. She's also playing good positional defense and can knock down the three. If this improvement arc continues, her father won't be the only well-known US-based pro player in the family.

Also considered: Lattimore (played at Miami last season), Zoe Brooks (sophomore, guard, NC State)

All-ACC First team

Five of them are locks, IMO (all previously listed):

Hidalgo
Latson
James
Miles
Timpson

It gets trickier from there, but I'd consider (in no particular order--they're all previously listed):

Fournier
Rivers
Brooks
Baker
Lattimore
Ustby
Gakdeng
King
Citron

and also (trying to make sure that every team is represented at least once):

Nunu Agara, sophomore, forward, Stanford
Haley Cavinder, senior, guard, Miami
Olivia Cochran, grad, forward, Louisville
Kara Dunn, junior, guard, Georgia Tech
Khadijah Faye, grad, center, Pittsburgh
O'Mariah Gordon, senior, guard, Florida State
Nyla Harris, junior, forward, Louisville
Ashlon Jackson, junior, guard, Duke
Kymora Johnson, sophomore, guard, Virginia
Reniya Kelly, sophomore, guard, North Carolina
Loyal McQueen, senior, guard, Clemson
Rose Micheaux, grad, forward/center, Virginia Tech
Tonie Morgan, junior, guard, Georgia Tech
Taijanna Roberts, freshman, guard, Louisville
Nya Robertson, junior, guard, SMU
Marta Suarez, senior, forward, California
Rylie Theuerkauf, sophomore, guard, Wake Forest
T'yana Todd, junior, guard, Boston College
Lulu Twidale, sophomore, guard, California
Carleigh Wenzel, sophomore, guard, Virginia Tech
Cameron Williams, grad, center, Miami
Kyra Wood, senior, forward, Syracuse
Georgia Woolley, senior, guard, Syracuse

so, I went with a tentative 10 of Hidalgo, Latson, Miles, James, Timpson, Fournier, Rivers, Baker, Lattimore, and Ustby.

 

[DallasDomer]

Mair played pretty well in the loss. 6-11 with 15 points to lead Duke, 2 assists and 4 turnovers will hurt her A/TO ratio but she played well in a tough game.

 

[Dillon77]

ND Pulls Away in 3rd Qtr. for a 64-49 Win

Quarter scores:

1st: 16-19 (Duke)
2nd: 13-8 (ND)
3rd: 21-8 (ND)
4th 14-14 (Tie)

In particular, the first 7 or so minutes of the second half before Maddy Westbeld picked up her third foul. Classic two-way ND: steals, blocks and run the other way. Citron scored six of her points in a row en route to a 15-pt., 7-rebound game.

Also liked "inverting" Citron for a bit in the third: bringing her out from the side to run the offense, using some high screens from Westbeld. Lawson was so intent on shadowing Miles and Hidalgo (correctly) that Lawson decided to flip things a bit.

Lastly, Kate Koval got into a groove in her 2nd stint on court. She had seven rebounds in 9 minutes.

Liatu King had only had one point, but 11 rebounds, while Soni and Liv each had seven.

As noted, Taina Mair had a great first half, but ND put Hidalgo on her in the second half and HH "pushed" her out to slow down Duke's offensive starting point. Once HH gets going, it energizes the whole team.

 

[triaddukefan]

Mair played pretty well in the loss. 6-11 with 15 points to lead Duke, 2 assists and 4 turnovers will hurt her A/TO ratio but she played well in a tough game.

Unfortunately or i guess fortunately, i did not see the game. I'll try to watch a replay of the first 17 minutes or so.

 

[DallasDomer]

Unfortunately or i guess fortunately, i did not see the game. I'll try to watch a replay of the first 17 minutes or so.

But you were supposed to be waiting to have Duke jump Notre Dame??? Sorry you had to miss a good game.

If you only watch part of the game you really need to watch the first ~6 minutes of the third quarter. It will leave no doubt about how good ND can be if they are playing well and they get full court pressure. Plus it will show what Duke needs to improve for the next meeting. (Imho Lawson should have called off the press about 2 minutes into the third. I know it's what Duke does but they couldn't keep up. Of course this is after the fact coaching.)

 

[Dillon77]

But you were supposed to be waiting to have Duke jump Notre Dame??? Sorry you had to miss a good game.

If you only watch part of the game you really need to watch the first ~6 minutes of the third quarter. It will leave no doubt about how good ND can be if they are playing well and they get full court pressure. Plus it will show what Duke needs to improve for the next meeting. (Imho Lawson should have called off the press about 2 minutes into the third. I know it's what Duke does but they couldn't keep up. Of course this is after the fact coaching.)

In all fairness to Coach Lawson -- who was gracious and insightful in her post-game presser -- she admitted it was a wave in the third quarter and was mostly concerned that the turnovers allowed ND to run downhill. Good listening...man, she's thorough.

 

[triaddukefan]

 

[Dillon77]

Found Coach Lawson to be informative, straight-forward and gracious during her presser.
Also saw attributes that reminded me of her television career that have obviously stuck with (and probably help) her in coaching; most notably her attention to detail.

I got a kick when she mentioned ND had experience and promptly -- and correctly -- named each of the top 6 Irish players' athletic eligibility year and referenced if they'd been all conference. In Liza Karlen's case, the Big East. Just in case you think she was using the executive summary.

Also, took the blame for the offensive slowdown, which she didn't have to do. I think she's got some exceedingly quick, fit, decisive athletes, but they all seem to be wings. Could use some bangers in there to help Donovan and Fournier out.

 

[cancontent]

Found Coach Lawson to be informative, straight-forward and gracious during her presser.
Also saw attributes that reminded me of her television career that have obviously stuck with (and probably help) her in coaching; most notably her attention to detail.

I got a kick when she mentioned ND had experience and promptly -- and correctly -- named each of the top 6 Irish players' athletic eligibility year and referenced if they'd been all conference. In Liza Karlen's case, the Big East. Just in case you think she was using the executive summary.

Also, took the blame for the offensive slowdown, which she didn't have to do. I think she's got some exceedingly quick, fit, decisive athletes, but they all seem to be wings. Could use some bangers in there to help Donovan and Fournier out.

Woods and Fournier building up some muscle would go a long way in this area. That will come over the next couple seasons.

 

[Dillon77]

Woods and Fournier building up some muscle would go a long way in this area. That will come over the next couple seasons.

They could use it playing against Kate Koval, who showed what she can do when being aggressive. If Koval can move a little quicker and work on some hand-eye issues, she'll be very scary.

 

[DallasDomer]

They could use it playing against Kate Koval, who showed what she can do when being aggressive. If Koval can move a little quicker and work on some hand-eye issues, she'll be very scary.

I don't know if it was hand eye coordination that bothered her in the first half. It looked to me, and I know nothing factual, that there was a bit of nerves. Being on the #1 team combined with hearing all the stuff about Duke's defense plus that ND was not doing the usual of blasting teams off the court. After the 17-1 run I thought she loosened up. But that's just an impression, I'm not a sports psychologist.

 

[Dillon77]

I don't know if it was hand eye coordination that bothered her in the first half. It looked to me, and I know nothing factual, that there was a bit of nerves. Being on the #1 team combined with hearing all the stuff about Duke's defense plus that ND was not doing the usual of blasting teams off the court. After the 17-1 run I thought she loosened up. But that's just an impression, I'm not a sports psychologist.

Truth be told, she fumbled a few passes, but I also thought some of those were not good placements (both times) by Hannah Hidalgo. Maybe I was trying to be diplomatic.... Koval was very, very comfortable in the second half and was controlling the paint well in her second stint. You'll never see me criticize Koval, who I've followed for years. If anything, I'd like to see her in the lineup more to work the paint and allow Maddy Westbeld to roam outside the elbow area more (as she did last year with Kylee Watson).

 

[DallasDomer]

Truth be told, she fumbled a few passes, but I also thought some of those were not good placements (both times) by Hannah Hidalgo. Maybe I was trying to be diplomatic.... Koval was very, very comfortable in the second half and was controlling the paint well in her second stint. You'll never see me criticize Koval, who I've followed for years. If anything, I'd like to see her in the lineup more to work the paint and allow Maddy Westbeld to roam outside the elbow area more (as she did last year with Kylee Watson).

I agree there were passes that weren't good but I was referring to her missed layups, I saw a comment that Hidalgo reacted to one of her bad passes but I must have missed it. But again only guessing.

 

[Vowelguy]

TOP GAMES TONIGHT

18 Bama @ 15 Tenn, 630, SEC+ -- Key game for SECT (and NCAA) seeding. Can Bama get into top 4?
Lou @ 11 Duke, 7, ESPN2 -- Lou has been on a roll. Teams are tied for 3rd.
13 NCSt @ 20 GaT, 7, ACCX -- Can State hold on to 2nd place?
Vandy @ 16 Okla, 7, SEC+
25 Ill @ 3 UCLA, 930, BTN

 

[ucbart]

Has anything been announced, re: Utsby?

 

[DallasDomer]

Has anything been announced, re: Utsby?

I haven't seen anything official but this is the last article:
"According to a source close to Ustby, she suffered a left knee injury — possibly involving her meniscus or ACL — and is expected to have an MRI as soon as possible to assess the damage."
I hope it turns out to be a minor issue but this could describe anything.

MSN

 

[DallasDomer]

TONIGHT
d
18 Bama @ 15 Tenn, 630, SEC+ -- Key game for SECT (and NCAA) seeding. Can Bama get into top 4?
Lou @ 11 Duke, 7, ESPN2 -- Lou has been on a roll. Teams are tied for 3rd.
13 NCSt @ 20 GaT, 7, ACCX -- Can State hold on to 2nd place?
Vandy @ 16 Okla, 7, SEC+
25 Ill @ 3 UCLA, 930, BTN

And undefeated in ACC competition Notre Dame faces H. Cavinder, averaging 18.8 points per game, at Miami in a potential trap game at 6pm Central. Cavinder almost lead Miami to an upset of NC State last week.

 

[Dillon77]

And undefeated in ACC competition Notre Dame faces H. Cavinder, averaging 18.8 points per game, at Miami in a potential trap game at 6pm Central. Cavinder almost lead Miami to an upset of NC State last week.

Well, don't forget about Nat Marshall playing against her alma mater and former Irish teammates (but Nat seems to have moved forward on good terms).

I normally don't get too high or too low, but I don't see this being as much of a trap game: different kind of Miami team than the ones that Katie Meier used to unleash on Muffet McGraw. At least, let's hope (from an Irish perspective).

 

[DallasDomer]

Well, don't forget about Nat Marshall playing against her alma mater and former Irish teammates (but Nat seems to have moved forward on good terms).

I normally don't get too high or too low, but I don't see this being as much of a trap game: different kind of Miami team than the ones that Katie Meier used to unleash on Muffet McGraw. At least, let's hope (from an Irish perspective).

But we need to build up some hype going into NC State on Sunday!
Meier did coach very well against us.

 

[WBBTakeover]

Call me crazy, but I don't think Louisville/Duke should be close.

I know that Louisville is 11-3, but look who they've played and look at who they have left (including tonight). They could lose out (not likely, but possible).