Canes Lose Ugly One to Va Tech

Well, all we can do now is sit and wait in 2 days for the Selection Committee to hand us our seeding. There is no doubt in my mind the Canes will make the tourney, however, the last 3 games have hardly shown us at our best. Whereas a nice showing to end the season would have given us a chance at a 7 seed, losing to FSU and VT with a ok win against NC State in the middle effectively killed our chances of that.

Expect a 9 or 10 seed at this point, and that's solely because the Committee will have some respect for the 4th best team in the ACC. With any luck we'll get a 12 seed and get a part of a bracket that avoids a major power until the Sweet 16.

As for the game itself, it sure wasn't pretty. UM kept it within striking distance for most of the game despite playing poorly, but were ousted by a 17-2 Va Tech run late in the 2nd half. The team shot poorly from the field and only Jack McClinton scored in double figures. I myself didn't get a chance to catch the game so I don't know how accurate this is, but the box score shows a very disturbing 25 rebound differential between the two teams. Definitely not a good way to end the season and limp into the Tourney.

If the Canes keep playing like that, they will be one and done, regardless of their seeding. This team's potential is at best a Sweet 16 with a very favorable bracket. More than likely the Canes might be able to pull off a Round 1 victory before facing a superior opponent in the 2nd. Regardless, I think this was an excellent season for Frank Haith and the Canes. With a little bit of luck in recruiting, next year's team will be improved and has a chance to position itself to be the 3rd best team in the ACC. Making the Tourney this year was a nice start, now Haith has to keep the momentum going by winning a game and landing a major prospect.