I couldnt agree with you more, regarding Rick Barnes. I despised his style of coaching. And, unfortunately, Larry Shyatt, who is supposed to be a great guy, is catching the brunt of what Barnes left their program. I can never understand why a guy would leave, what has been the most tradition rich, if not elite, conference in the country, to go to a football school. Perhaps, Dick Vitale summed it up best by implying, "When you cant beat the big 4 on a consistant basis, maybe that would make you want to leave.."
What makes the ACC tournament special, is the history behind it. Until around 1976-77, it decided the only bid to the big dance, from the conference. If you just stop to think of the classic games and runs put together in that tournament. Jimmy V's great run started in the ACC tourney, because they wouldnt have even made the NCAAs without winning that one. I think back of the great tournament's when Randolph Childress caught fire for Wake, and a couple of the great runs by Georgia Tech in the tournament. There are so many great moments in that event. I think the kids have bought into the fact, that, yes, the NCAAs are your main goal, but it does mean a lot to win the Conference Championship, as well. There is pride and tradition behind it. |
