Is it better for the ACC if Georgia Tech or NC State wins on Saturday?
Let's put that another way. Would you rather have a team be undefeated that likely will not run the table? Or...have a team with more potential deal a first loss to one of your only undefeated teams?
Saturday's matchup features NC State who sits at 3-0 and 2-1 Georgia Tech. The Wolfpack have had back-to-back solid wins against UCF and Cincinnati, after a decided blowout in week one over Western Carolina. Georgia Tech has sandwiched two solid outings against South Carolina and North Carolina with a bad loss to Kansas in week two.
The ACC has taken its lumps early this season in out of conference play and the last thing it needs is for them to knock each other around in conference.
What impact does JT Thompson's Torn ACL have on Virginia Tech and the ACC?
Last week, Virginia Tech suffered its first loss of the season as forward JT Thompson suffered a torn ACL playing pickup basketball. Thompson is a swing forward able to play the 3 or 4 positions for Seth Greenberg.
The value of the Virginia Tech forward is in his versatility. When playing the small forward position, he allows the Hokies to play physical and attack the glass. At the power forward, the Hokies can slide Jeff Allen to the 5 and are as quick as any team in the NCAA with the 5 they can put on the floor. In looking at the remaining Virginia Tech roster, there is no one player that can provide the same versatility for Seth Greenberg.
The second problem that occurs with Thompson's injury is the lack of quality depth down low. With the uncertain status of transfer Allan Chaney, who fainted during workouts and was subsequently diagnosed with a heart condition, Virginia Tech is quickly running out of size. Jeff Allen, Cadarian Raines, and Victor Davila return as the most experienced options to play in the paint. Allen is the best player of the bunch, but to say he often gets in foul trouble, is putting it mildly.
At the ACC level, JT Thompson's injury won't keep me from putting Virginia Tech among the top 3 or 4 teams in the ACC in my preseason power poll. That said, it makes the Hokies vulnerable in that they are now easier to defend and thin in the frontcourt.
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