Florida State played like a team with a large chip on their shoulder. At one point 'Noles guard Jason Rich scored 10 straight points to key the decisive run, and he screamed at the writers on media row, "Is that enough!"

We assume Rich was referring to his absence from the All ACC team, but that was just a best guess from the media minds. Whatever motivated Florida State, it worked in a 10 point win. Bring on #1 North Carolina next on Friday afternoon.

Wake Forest's players didn't want to lose, but they clearly understand they are laying the foundation for better days in Winston Salem. I am impressed with the players and the people Wake has attracted.
Dino Gaudio was asked what Skip Prosser would think of his team's effort and Coach Gaudio said, "Skip would be proud of these guys. It's not all defined on wins and losses. The way the kids stuck together was great. I think Skip would have loved this team's work ethic."

I am sorry today that I didn't get to know Coach Prosser. I arrived too late in his last season. But I admire the program he left behind. We've had a great time getting to know Ish Smith this year. The local high school star always has a smile on his face, and he's always ready to share insightful thoughts. Ish's dad thanked WCNC's Ira Cronin for a feature he did with Ish this year, and after meeting pops we know why Ish is a great young guy. I can't wait to see what a little more experience and a great freshman class will do for the Deacs next year and the years beyond. (Worth noting: we wanted to feature North Meck's Jamie Skeen this year, but he had to leave early after a game for family and academic commitments. Family and grades before media - good choice! But we look forward to seeing him shoot a few more threes next year, too.)


It's alive

An ACC veteran told me that the tournament "doesn't really start until Friday.
"After watching the early sessions in front of a few thousand fans (a ton of empty seats) I understand what he's saying, but I venture to say that the tournament really starts Thursday night. That's when fans from the four schools that lost in the opening round can start selling their tickets to the fans of the schools that remain. Business was brisk on the street corners surrounding Bobcats Arena after NC State lost the 2:30 game to Miami.

I have covered tournaments all around the country, but never anything quite like this. I have learned that post season tournaments are living, breathing things that need time to take shape.

With 12 teams in the "new" ACC, the far away schools without great basketball traditions don't really make an impact in the first round. There are a limited number of tickets that have to be divided by each of the 12 schools, so it takes time for Carolina fans and Duke fans and Clemson fans (this year) to acquire tickets as other teams lose. WCNC anchor Chris Justice told me to watch how losing schools want to sell to "anyone but Carolina" or "anyone but Duke." If Clemson can make a run, maybe the Tigers and their fans are the big winners this year. I've seen a lot of orange already, with some Virginia Tech maroon sprinkled in.


Good to see old friends

I realized today that I've been at this for a long time. Georgia Tech's Dean Buchan and Virginia's Jim Daves (each a guru in their respective athletic departments) are old friends from my days covering the Kansas Jayhawks and the Washington Huskies. We shared old stories and a few laughs today. It was great to see them both. Amazing how Dean has more gray hair than he did back when Paul Pierce and Raef LaFrentz played for Roy Williams at KU. Amazing how Jim Daves is now "hair challenged." And somehow, in my own mind, I'm sure I haven't changed a bit.