Atlantic Coast Conference Semifinal Recaps
No. 5 Georgia Tech 78, No. 1 North Carolina 75
No. 5 Georgia Tech is streaking at the right time of year, as the Yellow Jackets knocked off No. 1 North Carolina 78-75. Last season, Maryland entered the ACC Tournament needing a few wins to seal a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Terrapins went on a three-game streak to win the ACC title. Georgia Tech has a chance to replicate that same feat later today against No. 3 Duke.
The Yellow Jackets led most of the game thanks to a career-high 35 points from senior guard Will Bynum. Junior center Luke Schenscher had 15 points and 10 rebounds, the only other Yellow Jacket in double figures. The combination of Bynum and Schenscher was enough to keep the Tar Heels at bay, despite a ferocious second half by junior forward Sean May. May picked up his 10th double-double in 11 games with 17 points and 11 rebounds. He was one of three Tar Heels with 17 points, including junior guards Raymond Felton and Rashad McCants.
Georgia Tech survived a run by the Tar Heels fueled by May and extended the lead to five in the final minute. Junior guard Jarrett Jack and McCants each had several free-throw attempts to either extend or shrink the lead, and both players failed to connect on the opportunity. McCants atoned for two missed free throws by hitting a three-pointer to cut the lead to one. Bynum answered with two free throws, and McCants missed a buzzer-beating three-pointer. The Yellow Jackets move forward with an attempt to avenge a pair of losses to Duke.
No. 3 Duke 76, No. 7 North Carolina State 69
No. 3 Duke advanced to yet another ACC championship game after beating No. 7 North Carolina State 76-69. The Blue Devils can thank junior guard J.J. Redick, who scored a career-high 35 points just 24 hours after one of his worst performances of the season. Redick hit seven three-pointers and made 11-of-16 field-goal attempts. Redick missed 11 of his first 12 shots against No. 11 Virginia in the quarterfinals.
Junior forward Shelden Williams was another significant contributor to Duke’s win with 15 points and nine rebounds, including four offensive rebounds. Duke finished with 15 offensive boards, which helped lengthen possessions and wear down North Carolina State’s undersized lineup. The Wolfpack shot a respectable 44 percent from the floor but made only 8-of-25 three-point attempts. Freshman forward Andrew Brockman led for Wolfpack in double figures with 13 points. Despite the balanced scoring, no Wolfpack made more than four shots.
Despite the loss, North Carolina State’s strong three-game performance coupled with other upsets likely will be enough or the Wolfpack to receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Depending on results in other conference championship games, Duke still has an outside shot at receiving a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But the Blue Devils must beat Georgia Tech today to receive serious consideration.
