The Confidential

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Archive for the tag “Atlantic Coast Conference”

11 Jun 2015

Lindsay, Jones exit – MLB draft kind to Diamond Heels

This time last year, coach Mike Fox and the Diamond Heels were reeling after losing 10 commits to the 2014 MLB draft which showed up significantly (in a bad way) in both the regular season and ACC tournament in the form of pitching. After losing many talented freshman, there just seemed to not be enough manpower in that particular area to sustain momentum down the stretch. This ultimately led to the Heels missing taking part in the NCAAT for the first time since 2001.

Even though the top 2 recruits the Diamond Heels had signed ended up being drafted, the class is still loaded and with some much needed relief in the form of pitchers. One of those pitching commits (two total) ranks in the Top 75 nationally.

The in-state class is led by 2nd ranked RHP and 10th ranked player overall in the state of North Carolina- Cole Aker and will be looked at to help add stability at the mound similar to what they enjoyed back in 2014.

I’ll have a breakdown of the entire recruiting class this summer along with the other UNC teams as we gear up for the new season.

Posted by unc_tarheelfan in ACC only, Baseball, Draft, UNC Correspondent and tagged , , , , , , ,
07 May 2015
3 Comments

The Confidential’s All School Teams Poll: Ranking The Top

UPDATE: Final Voting in Poll:

  1. North Carolina 41.03%
  2. Louisville 36.32%
  3. Syracuse 16.24%
  4. Duke 3.47%
  5. NC State 1.28%
  6. Ga Tech and ND .85%

Thanks to all for voting!  Congrats to the Tar Heels and their fans!

The Confidential has spent several weeks determining the best 12-player teams that could be put together for each ACC school.  Here is a list of those teams.  Yesterday’s task was to determine which school’s team is the worst.  Today’s task is to determine which school has the best team!

Duke:

Center: Christian Laettner, Mike Gminski

Power Forward: Shane Battier, Danny Ferry

Small Forward:  Grant Hill, Art Heyman

Shooting Guard: JJ Reddick, Johnny Dawkins, Dick Groat

Point Guard: Bobby Hurley, Jason Williams, Tommy Amaker

Georgia Tech:

Center: John Salley, Matt Geiger

Power Forward: Malcolm Mackey, Rich Yunkus

Small Forward: Dennis Scott, Matt Harping

Shooting Guard: Stephon Marbury, Tom Hammonds, Roger Kaiser

Point Guard: Mark Price, Kenny Anderson, Jarrett Jack

Louisville:

Center: Wes Unseld, Pervis Ellison

Power Forward: Rodney McCray, Charlie Tyra

Small Forward: Derek Smith, Junior Bridgeman

Shooting Guard: Darrell Griffith, Butch Beard, Peyton Siva

Point Guard: Milt Wagner, DeJuan Wheat, Russ Smith

North Carolina:

Center: Tyler Hansbrough, Bob McAdoo

Power Forward: James Worthy, Sam Perkins

Small Forward: Lennie Rosenbluth, Billy Cunningham, Antawn Jamison

Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan, Walter Davis, Charlie Scott

Point Guard: Phil Ford, Kenny Smith

North Carolina State:

Center: Tom Burleson, Ronnie Shavlik

Power Forward: David Thompson, Tom Guggliota, Thurl Bailey

Small Forward: Lorenzo Charles, TJ Warren

Shooting Guard: Derek Whittenburg, Julius Hodge

Point Guard: Sidney Lowe, Chris Corchani, Monty Towe

Notre Dame:

Center: Bill Laimbeer, Troy Murphy

Power Forward: Tom Hawkins, Pat Garrity, John Shumate

Small Forward: Adrian Dantley, Orlando Woolidge, Kelly Tripucka

Shooting Guard: Austin Carr, John Paxson

Point Guard: David Rivers, Chris Thomas

Syracuse:

Center:  Rony Seikaly, Roosevelt Bouie

Power Forward: Derrick Coleman, Louis Orr

Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, John Wallace, Rafael Addison

Shooting Guard: Dave Bing, Lawrence Moten, Gerry McNamara

Point Guard: Pearl Washington, Sherman Douglas

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, All-Time Teams, Basketball, Opinion and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
06 May 2015
1 Comment

The Confidential’s All School Teams Poll: Ranking The Bottom

The Confidential has spent several weeks determining the best 12-player teams that could be put together for each ACC school.  Here is a list of those teams.  Today’s task, however, is to determine which school’s team is the worst.  Please remember to vote in our poll.  Tomorrow we will vote for the best from the top 7 rosters.

Boston College:

Center: Terry Driscoll, John Garris

Power Forward: Craig Smith, Jared Dudley

Small Forward: Danya Abrams, Bill Curley, Jay Murphy

Shooting Guard: John Bagley, John Austin,

Point Guard: Troy Bell, Michael Adams, Dana Barros

Clemson:

Center: Tree Rollins, Elden Campbell

Power Forward: Dale Davis, Horace Grant

Small Forward: Larry Nance, Trevor Booker

Shooting Guard: Butch Zatezalo, KC Rivers, Terrell McIntyre

Point Guard: Willie Solomon, Chris Whitney, Demontez Stitt

Florida State:

Center: Dave Cowens, Solomon Alabi

Power Forward: Chris Singleton, Harry Davis, Al Thornton

Small Forward: Georgie McCloud, Ron Fedor

Shooting Guard: Bob Sura, Ron Harris, Ron King

Point Guard: Sam Cassell, Charlie Ward

Miami:

Center: Tito Horford, Constantin Popa

Power Forward: Eric Brown, Willie Allen

Small Forward: Rick Barry, John Salmons, Tim James

Shooting Guard: James Jones, Don Curnutt

Point Guard: Shane Larkin, Jack McClinton, Dick Hickox

Pittsburgh:

Center: Charles Smith, Chris Tagt

Power Forward: Jerome Lane, Dejuan Blair

Small Forward: Sam Young, Billy Knight, Chevon Troutman

Shooting Guard: Ashton Gibbs, Sean Miller (yeah, more of a point guard)

Point Guard:Brandin Knight, Carl Krauser, Levance  Fields

Virginia:

Center: Ralph Sampson, Olden Polynice

Power Forward: Wally Walker, Marc Iavaroni, Mike Scott

Small Forward: Jeff Lamp, Joe Harris

Shooting Guard:  Bryant Stith, Buzzy Wilkinson, Curtis Staples

Point Guard: Othell Wilson, Barry Parkhill

Virginia Tech:

Center: Jimmy Carruth, Chris Smith

Power Forward: Howard Pardue, Allan Bristow

Small Forward: Bryant Matthews, Deron Washington

Shooting Guard: Dell Curry, Bimbo Coles, Bucky Keller

Point Guard: Erick Green, Malcolm Delaney, Zabian Dowdell

Wake Forest:

Center: Tim Duncan, Loren Woods

Power Forward:  Len Chappell, Dick Hemric

Small Forward: Josh Howard, Rodney Rogers, Charlie Davis

Shooting Guard: Randolph Childress, Rod Griffin

Point Guard: Chris Paul, Muggsy Bogues, Jeff Teague

 

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, All-Time Teams, Basketball, Opinion and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
05 May 2015
2 Comments

Summary of the Confidential’s All School Teams

The Confidential has spent several weeks determining the best 12-player teams that could be put together for each ACC school.  Rather than use a series of links, here is a summary of those teams:

Boston College:

Center: Terry Driscoll, John Garris

Power Forward: Craig Smith, Jared Dudley

Small Forward: Danya Abrams, Bill Curley, Jay Murphy

Shooting Guard: John Bagley, John Austin,

Point Guard: Troy Bell, Michael Adams, Dana Barros

Clemson:

Center: Tree Rollins, Elden Campbell

Power Forward: Dale Davis, Horace Grant

Small Forward: Larry Nance, Trevor Booker

Shooting Guard: Butch Zatezalo, KC Rivers, Terrell McIntyre

Point Guard: Willie Solomon, Chris Whitney, Demontez Stitt

Duke:

Center: Christian Laettner, Mike Gminski

Power Forward: Shane Battier, Danny Ferry

Small Forward:  Grant Hill, Art Heyman

Shooting Guard: JJ Reddick, Johnny Dawkins, Dick Groat

Point Guard: Bobby Hurley, Jason Williams, Tommy Amaker

Florida State:

Center: Dave Cowens, Solomon Alabi

Power Forward: Chris Singleton, Harry Davis, Al Thornton

Small Forward: Georgie McCloud, Ron Fedor

Shooting Guard: Bob Sura, Ron Harris, Ron King

Point Guard: Sam Cassell, Charlie Ward

Georgia Tech:

Center: John Salley, Matt Geiger

Power Forward: Malcolm Mackey, Rich Yunkus

Small Forward: Dennis Scott, Matt Harping

Shooting Guard: Stephon Marbury, Tom Hammonds, Roger Kaiser

Point Guard: Mark Price, Kenny Anderson, Jarrett Jack

Louisville:

Center: Wes Unseld, Pervis Ellison

Power Forward: Rodney McCray, Charlie Tyra

Small Forward: Derek Smith, Junior Bridgeman

Shooting Guard: Darrell Griffith, Butch Beard, Peyton Siva

Point Guard: Milt Wagner, DeJuan Wheat, Russ Smith

Miami:

Center: Tito Horford, Constantin Popa

Power Forward: Eric Brown, Willie Allen

Small Forward: Rick Barry, John Salmons, Tim James

Shooting Guard: James Jones, Don Curnutt

Point Guard: Shane Larkin, Jack McClinton, Dick Hickox

North Carolina:

Center: Tyler Hansbrough, Bob McAdoo

Power Forward: James Worthy, Sam Perkins

Small Forward: Lennie Rosenbluth, Billy Cunningham, Antawn Jamison

Shooting Guard: Michael Jordan, Walter Davis, Charlie Scott

Point Guard: Phil Ford, Kenny Smith

North Carolina State:

Center: Tom Burleson, Ronnie Shavlik

Power Forward: David Thompson, Tom Guggliota, Thurl Bailey

Small Forward: Lorenzo Charles, TJ Warren

Shooting Guard: Derek Whittenburg, Julius Hodge

Point Guard: Sidney Lowe, Chris Corchani, Monty Towe

Notre Dame:

Center: Bill Laimbeer, Troy Murphy

Power Forward: Tom Hawkins, Pat Garrity, John Shumate

Small Forward: Adrian Dantley, Orlando Woolidge, Kelly Tripucka

Shooting Guard: Austin Carr, John Paxson

Point Guard: David Rivers, Chris Thomas

Pittsburgh:

Center: Charles Smith, Chris Tagt

Power Forward: Jerome Lane, Dejuan Blair

Small Forward: Sam Young, Billy Knight, Chevon Troutman

Shooting Guard: Ashton Gibbs, Sean Miller (yeah, more of a point guard)

Point Guard:Brandin Knight, Carl Krauser, Levance  Fields

Syracuse:

Center:  Rony Seikaly, Roosevelt Bouie

Power Forward: Derrick Coleman, Louis Orr

Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, John Wallace, Rafael Addison

Shooting Guard: Dave Bing, Lawrence Moten, Gerry McNamara

Point Guard: Pearl Washington, Sherman Douglas

Virginia:

Center: Ralph Sampson, Olden Polynice

Power Forward: Wally Walker, Marc Iavaroni, Mike Scott

Small Forward: Jeff Lamp, Joe Harris

Shooting Guard:  Bryant Stith, Buzzy Wilkinson, Curtis Staples

Point Guard: Othell Wilson, Barry Parkhill

Virginia Tech:

Center: Jimmy Carruth, Chris Smith

Power Forward: Howard Pardue, Allan Bristow

Small Forward: Bryant Matthews, Deron Washington

Shooting Guard: Dell Curry, Bimbo Coles, Bucky Keller

Point Guard: Erick Green, Malcolm Delaney, Zabian Dowdell

Wake Forest:

Center: Tim Duncan, Loren Woods

Power Forward:  Len Chappell, Dick Hemric

Small Forward: Josh Howard, Rodney Rogers, Charlie Davis

Shooting Guard: Randolph Childress, Rod Griffin

Point Guard: Chris Paul, Muggsy Bogues, Jeff Teague

 

OK, this is your last chance to comment and/or criticize these… let’s hear you!

Posted by acaffrey in ACC only, All-Time Teams, Basketball, Opinion and tagged , ,
09 May 2014

Clemson North

“The Cleveland Browns have traded the fourth pick to the Buffalo Bills. With the fourth pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills select Sammy Watkins, wide receiver, Clemson.”

The Bills gave up their 2015 first and fourth round draft picks for that trade, talk about a bold move. General Manager Doug Whaley told Sammy they were going to draft him and clearly, he meant it. The Bills had the 9th pick, but waiting their turn was not an option if they were going to get their number one choice. This trade was more than just getting Sammy Watkins; it was a statement to the NFL and Bills fans everywhere. The Bills are going to make it to the playoffs this season.  Or bust. Let’s hope it’s not the latter.

From a Clemson standpoint, I love this pick. I was fortunate enough to watch CJ Spiller run over defenses as a Clemson Tiger for one season before he was drafted 9th overall by the Bills in 2010. I watched Sammy Watkins glide his way through secondary defenses countless times on his way to the end zone in that Tiger uniform and I am thrilled to see Spiller and Watkins as teammates next season.

“Clemson North” is what they are calling it, as the Bills now have five former Clemson Tigers on their roster. Running back, CJ Spiller, offensive linemen, Chris Hairston and Antoine McClain, safety, Jonathan Meeks, and now wide receiver, Sammy Watkins.

Sammy Watkins is a player so outstanding that he makes others around him better. To get EJ Manuel healthy and prepped for the 2014 season, there is no doubt Sammy is going to shine. He is on his way to scoring touchdowns on Sundays and I can’t wait to watch. He has been compared to Detroit Lions wide receiver, Calvin Johnson, but next fall Sammy Watkins will begin his professional legacy and players to come will be compared to him.

To all Bills fans out there, rejoice. Clemson Nation gives you Sammy Watkins and we only hope you grow to love him as much as we did (and still do).

The fun is not over for the Clemson faithful. Still left to be drafted are QB Tajh Boyd, WR Martavis Bryant, CB Brashad Breeland, and OL Brandon Thomas.

You can catch night two of the 2014 NFL Draft tonight on ESPN.

Posted by marystewartb in ACC Network, ACC only, Clemson correspondent, Draft, ESPN, Football, News, Opinion, Results, Something Positive, This Day in ACC, Today in the ACC, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
18 Mar 2014

The Tigers Aren’t Finished Yet

Picked to finish 14th in the ACC, Coach Brad Brownell’s Clemson Tigers surprised everyone when they ended the regular season 6th in the conference. Not to mention a season long, star performance by junior forward, K.J. McDaniels who was voted an ACC first team All-American and defensive player of the year.

The Tigers take on Georgia State in Littlejohn Coliseum tonight at 9pm on ESPNU in the first round of the NIT, a postseason honor not all ACC schools can boast about. The ACC is one of the toughest basketball conferences in the nation and you must give credit where credit is due to Brad Brownell. He took the underdogs and made them into competitors that demanded to be taken seriously.

With a heartbreaking overtime loss to Pitt at the end of the regular season, Clemson started the ACC Tournament right with a thrilling overtime win against Georgia Tech, just to be fortunate enough to move on to play Duke in the quarterfinals. What at one point looked like it would be a Blue Devils blowout, the Tigers fought back to bring the game back to within a few points, only to lose by 1 on a controversial call that sent Duke to the next round.

While Clemson won’t be entering “The Big Dance” this March Madness season, they do have a lot to be proud of. Players like Landry Nnoko, Demarcus Harrison, and Jaron Blossomgame improved to become vital assets to the team. Consistent players like K.J. McDaniels and Rod Hall gave another tremendous effort to show that at least one school in South Carolina knows how to play basketball.

This young team should be coming back in full force next season, but might be one short. K.J. McDaniels, while only a junior, is likely to enter the NBA Draft after this season concludes. While I can’t say I blame him, I do hope he’ll consider finishing out his career as a Clemson Tiger and seeing how far he can lead this team next season.

If you haven’t had the chance to watch the Tigers play this season, catch them on ESPNU tonight at 9pm in the first round of the NIT!

clemson

Posted by marystewartb in ACC Network, ACC only, Basketball, Clemson correspondent, Conference News, Correspondents, ESPN, Game Review, March Madness, News, Opinion, Results, Schedule, Something Positive, This Day in ACC and tagged , , , , , ,
12 Mar 2014

Syracuse Basketball: Grading the Orange

The Syracuse Orange closed out the regular season on Sunday with 74-58 win over the Florida State Seminoles.  The win earned the Orange a 27-4 mark for the regular season, a record that, any other year, would have SU fans jumping for joy.  This season, though, the fact that Jim Boeheim’s squad went only 2-4 over their last six has many of the Orange faithful’s panic-o-meter cranked up to 44.

Relax.

Yes, the Orange had their seasonal slide a bit later than usual.  True, that slide included a couple of really bad losses to Boston College and Georgia Tech.  And, of course, one fairly dominant win over the ‘Noles doesn’t erase the flaws shown by Syracuse late in the season.  So, let’s take a moment to take the long view and grade the Orange as they prepare for the post season.

Read more…

Posted by cuseorangeblood in ACC only, Basketball, Syracuse correspondent and tagged , , , , , , ,
11 Feb 2014
2 Comments

Syracuse Orange: Team of Destiny?

With the Syracuse Orange having recently ascended to their third #1 ranking in five years, a lot of the talk has been if Jim Boeheim’s squad is the team to beat.  The notion has been phrased different ways; “the national title Syracuse’s to lose”, “The title is there for the taking”, but all boil down to the idea that Syracuse is really, really good and deserve their share of time at #1.  The fact that Syracuse’s selection was the first unanimous one since  Duke in the 2010-11 season lends weight to that argument and, of course, a 23-0 record doesn’t hurt either.

Yet, looking back at that Orange this season, another phrase comes to mind when I think of this particular squad: a team of destiny.

Now, what do I mean when I say that?  Do I mean that I literally believe some cosmic entity has preordained the Orange to win a national title? Well…no, of course not.  What I mean is that whatever it’s taken for Syracuse to win, that’s exactly what has happened.

Read more…

Posted by cuseorangeblood in Basketball, Syracuse correspondent and tagged , , , , , , , , , ,
23 Dec 2013
3 Comments

A Letter To Santa

Dear Santa,

As much as it pains me to say, please disregard my previous letter asking for $1,000,000 and Luke Kuechly to be my boyfriend; instead I’d like to make a more selfless request.

This Christmas, I’d like it if you and your elves could conjure up a Clemson win this post season. It would really mean a lot to me, my family, and the rest of the Clemson faithful. I’m sure you’ve gotten plenty of letters from Buckeye fans, Gamecock fans, and Jesse Palmer, asking for a Clemson loss, but I really hope you’ll consider my request. Here are some cold hard facts as to why you should give me what I want grant my wish:

1. I’ve been good this year—I graduated and became a proud Clemson alumni, joined IPTAY to show my support for Clemson athletes, and I continue to pay my student loans on time (Joy to the World!)

2. It’s Tajh Boyd’s last game—Tajh has been a true blessing to the Clemson program and I’d really hate to see him go out on a sour note. Breaking all kinds of ACC and school records, he will go down as one of, if not the best quarterback in Clemson history. This win could be the cherry on top to an already outstanding career.

3. You look really good in Orange—Look! Seriously, you’re killin’ it.

Clemson Santa

4.  Last time Clemson played Ohio State we didn’t punch anyone—this is a no brainer. Last time we played the Buckeyes it was 1978. Their coach literally grabbed Clemson middle linebacker, Charlie Bauman, and punched him through the facemask after he caught an interception. Shouldn’t they be punished? 36 years later. Sure the coach was fired, but I still feel like the whole team hasn’t fully felt those repercussions.

5.  Finally, Clemson doesn’t just need this win, the entire ACC needs it—please consider this selfless request not only on the behalf of my Clemson Tigers, but on the rest of the ACC as well. Try as we might to become a strong football conference, it just hasn’t happened yet. With a Clemson win, you’d be showing the nation that the ACC can produce teams that win…even without that SEC speed.

Merry Christmas and I’ll be looking for you on Santa tracker.

Sincerely,

Mary Stewart Bailey

P.S. If you’re feeling extra jolly, I won’t turn away a million dollar stocking stuffer.

Posted by marystewartb in ACC Network, ACC only, Bowls, Clemson correspondent, Correspondents, ESPN, Football, Non-Serious, Opinion, Orange Bowl, Sarcasm, Satire, Something Positive and tagged , , , , , ,
12 Dec 2013
2 Comments

ORANGE You Glad We’re Not Playing Alabama

As this college football season comes to a close, so does the Bowl Championship Series (thank goodness, bring on the playoffs). In the final season of BCS bowl games, the Clemson Tigers will make the trek down to Miami to play in the Discover Orange Bowl, their second trip in three years.  The Tigers are looking to prove the naysayer’s wrong with a win against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 3, 2014. The theme of this year’s Orange Bowl is one of redemption.

Read more…

Posted by marystewartb in ACC Network, ACC only, Bowls, Clemson correspondent, Correspondents, Football, Opinion, Orange Bowl, Predictions, Something Positive and tagged , , , , , , , , ,

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