VIDEO | Virginia Tech’s ACC Outlook – 2012

Posted on02 January 2012. Tags: ,

Here’s my breakdown of how the Hokies look heading into ACC play, along with predictions of how the teams will flush out in the ACC standings by season’s end.

This post was written by:

- who has written 1106 posts on Tech Hoops.

Niemo is a member of the VT Class of '98. Attended every home basketball game during his 4 years at VT after missing the first home game. Has attended 122 straight VT football home games (every game since '94), eclipsing the 100 mark in September of '09. During the final home basketball game of his senior year, he was brought onto the court and was awarded 2 passes to the Atlantic 10 Basketball Tournament in Philly during a timeout. The Hokie Bird made the award on behalf of Athletic Director Jim Weaver. Niemo was known to be in the front row of every home game with his familiar red afro hairdo. Niemo currently lives in DC and speaks the Hokie gospel as often as possible. He watches over 50% of all ACC games, making him one of the most knowledgeable experts on ACC basketball.

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  • LuvzAznChix

    Thx, Cpt. Niemo. Great highlights. I predicted we would be as high as 3-5 earlier. Let’s pull it home recruiting class 3G.1! NCAA Tourney all the way!

  • Martin

    Very, very cool stuff Niemo. I think this last game was a perfect prep game for ACC action. They had to grind out a tough, hard-fought win. Also, Zo and Davila’s return to normalcy couldn’t have come at a better time. Not one of the freshmen have been disappointing, and both Raines and eddie have played better than I expected. Combine all these factors with a weak ACC, and I think we’re looking at a promising scenario for 3G.1. As always, I appreciate the hard work you put in for this site; it’s great.

    Oh, and don’t get your hopes up with the falcons. Matty “ice” and crew are fake, just like last season. They fold against real teams. Not saying I wouldn’t rather be in your position (I’m a Redskin fan); I just don’t think they are for real. Julio is nasty though.

    • Niemo

      Maybe the Falcons can reverse what happened last year. At least against the giants. I’d be happy with 1 playoff win since that would be a step forward for Ryan/Smith. Best case scenario would be ATL wins and (by act of God) the lions win at Nawlins, then the Falcons get the niners. But again, I’ll be happy with 1 win. And I think the saints are this year’s packers.

  • Ryan W.

    Nice work Niemo…cannot wait for league play to start

  • LuvzAznChix

    For any Ryan/Smith Falcs fans on here, MV7 did more & took the Falcs further in his short time with them than Ryan/Smith EVER have.

    • Niemo

      Agreed on the fact MV7 did more to this point in their careers (Ryan vs Vick) from a playoff standpoint (Vick won at green bay in his 2nd year and took the Falcons to the NFC Championship in his 4th). But Ryan and Smith have put together 4 straight winnings seasons. Before that, the Falcons had never had back-to-back winning seasons in their history (that’s right, Vick never put together back-to-back winning seasons, let alone playoff runs). So while Ryan/Smith haven’t had playoff success, they (Ryan at least) still have a long way to go in their careers. That said, I do miss having Mr. Vick running my fav NFL team.

      OK, back to bball…

  • Les

    I think Maryland and Miami may show better in the league schedule than they’ve shown so far. Each team had two key starters out until now. So far, they haven’t really lost to anyone that they weren’t expected to beat. I think the same goes for NC State and UVA.

    • Niemo

      Les – I agree with you on miami but disagree on maryland. The terps have played a mega-soft schedule, with just one quality win over a decent but not great notre dame team. In my opinion, they have almost no talent this year other than Stoglin. Stoglin is really good, but I’m not sold on Len, their 7’1″ Lithuanian center. I think he’s feasted on unathletic opponents. I think he’ll struggle in the ACC. And Faust, their big recruit, has been a disappointment so far (as most freshmen are). I think maryland will be exposed with their lack of talent and scoring options when they get into league play.
      miami, on the other hand, has a lot of veterans. Even their new guys played other places (florida, um-kc). I think they could be a big mover this year. That said, they play lousy defense, and they are so dependent on being hot from 3-point range that you never know what you’ll get game to game.
      nc state, as you say, could be pretty good, too. I think unc and duke are locks to finish 1 and 2. I think VT, uva, fsu, miami, and nc state have a shot at the last 2 Top 4 spots. I don’t see maryland contending.

  • http://www.heyhokie.com Goodraisin

    This is awesome, really well done Niemo.

    Can I rub in a small “I told you so” on Florida State? They’re near the bottom of the ACC in turnovers and dead last in assists/turnovers. I really thought losing Kitchen would be big for them, and although I can’t say it’s the biggest factor as to why they are mediocre, it has to be up there.

    • Niemo

      Raisin – you can say it, but I still think Kitchen stunk. I still think Singleton is the bigger factor (obviously).


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2012-13 Schedule

November
11/10 Hokies 80, etsu 62
11/12 Hokies 69, rhode island 50
11/15 Hokies 95, vmi 80
11/19 Hokies 96, unc-g 87
11/23 Hokies 87, appalachian state 76
**ACC/BIG Ten Challenge**
11/27 Hokies 95, iowa 79
December
12/1 Hokies 81, #15 oklahoma state 71
12/8 wvu 68, Hokies 67
**Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic**
12/10 Hokies 70, mvsu 49
12/15 Georgia Southern 78, Hokies 73
12/22 Hokies 66, bradley 65, OT
12/23 colorado state 88, Hokies 52
**Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic**
12/29 byu 97, Hokies 71
January
1/5 maryland 94, Hokies 71
1/9 boston college 86, Hokies 75
1/12 Hokies 70, georgia tech 65
1/19 Hokies 66, wake forest 65
1/24 virginia 74, Hokies 58
1/27 clemson 77, Hokies 70
1/30 miami 73, Hokies 64
February
2/2 unc 72, Hokies 60, OT
2/7 maryland 60, Hokies 55
2/9 Georgia Tech 64, hokies 54
2/12 virginia 73, Hokies 55
2/16 nc state 90, Hokies 86
2/21 duke 88, Hokies 56
2/24 Hokies 80, fsu 70
2/27 miami 76, Hokies 58
March
3/2 Hokies 69, clemson 61
3/5 duke 85, Hokies 57
3/10 wake 90, Hokies 79
**ACC Tournament in Greensboro**
3/14 vs. nc state, 2:30 p.m.
3/15 Quarterfinals
3/16 Semifinals
3/17 Finals

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