By Sonny Jones
Admittedly, I don’t follow college basketball closely. I’ll watch a game now and then, mainly involving the in-state ACC teams. I am aware that Pembroke native Kelvin Sampson’s Houston team is ranked No. 1.
With that being said, I don’t understand how Clemson (21-8), North Carolina (19-11) and even Wake Forest (18-11) are on the NCAA tournament bubble, according to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. I realize there’s levels of quad wins and NET rankings, but you’ll never convince me those three teams aren’t among the top 68 in the country.
What do I not understand? Are tournament projections by national media usually spot on? Please explain.
By in the day, which was when I was a younger whippersnapper, Clemson and UNC would be locks and Wake Forest would have a chance.
• Congratulations to West Bladen and new head baseball coach Wade Pait on winning its season-opener 10-9 at Gray’s Creek. The Knights battled back for a solid win. Jeff Nance has built a solid program at Gray’s Creek and were 18-5 last season. Spring sports season is underway.
• Will the Carolina Hurricanes make a trade before Friday afternoon’s deadline? Nothing so far while other top Eastern Conference teams are bringing in top players. The Hurricanes are very good and I trust management knows what it’s doing based on the way the organization has turned around in the last four years, but the clock is ticking.
TWITTER POLL
A Tobacco Road Rivalry. Cast your vote.
Which team will win Tuesday’s ACC basketball game?
— Bladen Online (@BladenOnline) February 28, 2023
Monday’s result: Which team will win Monday’s college basketball game?
• 18 votes – North Carolina 17, Florida State 1
• Outcome: North Carolina 77, Florida State 66
TODAY IN SPORTS HISTORY
• 1922 — In the first formal college conference basketball tournament, North Carolina beats Mercer 40-26 to win the Southern Intercollegiate Conference championship. The 13-team conference keeps standings in its’ second season.
POTATO PICKS TO WATCH TODAY
• MLB: Houston vs. N.Y. Mets, 1 p.m., ESPN
• WOMEN’S GOLF: Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, 2:30 p.m., GOLF
• MLB: Cincinnati vs. L.A. Dodgers, 3 p.m., MLBN
• MLB: Boston vs. Miami, 6:30 p.m., MLBN
• BASKETBALL: N.C. State at Duke, 7 p.m., ESPN
• BASKETBALL: Boston College at Wake Forest, 7 p.m., ESPNU
• NBA: L.A. Lakers at Memphis, 7:30 p.m., TNT
• NBA: Minnesota at L.A. Clippers, 10 p.m., TNT
Sonny Jones can be reached at wibbyj@gmail.com.
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