ACC Basketball Photos

From a Sports Illustrated story we pulled a few items of local interest

Parting gifts for all 16 remaining tourney teams

By Eric Horowitz

You know those “Last Will and Testament” things they do in high school yearbooks? Before the unsweet 48 went home, they got together and bequeathed a bunch of helpful stuff to the 16 remaining teams. This is their official statement:

• To North Carolina, we leave a time machine so they may go back to Friday or Sunday and practice playing real defense. Louisville or UCLA won’t let UNC run on them like that. And when the Tar Heels need their defense, the defensive intensity won’t be there.

• To the Davidson Wildcats, we leave a vial of Dell Curry’s frozen sperm, so in future years the basketball program can churn out a never-ending stream of Curry offspring.

• To Kansas, we leave a tape of North Carolina’s win over Arkansas. The Jayhawks shouldn’t look ahead … but it might not be a bad idea to watch a little UNC.

Mike Huguenin of rivals.com picked his top five players of this season, in reverse order. If you were at the RBC Center this weekend for the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament you got to see two of the five players in action.

5. Notre Dame’s Luke Harangody

4. Davidson’s Stephen Curry: The sophomore had big games during the regular season against North Carolina, Duke and N.C. State, then stayed hot when the Wildcats played Southern Conference opponents. Still, there probably were a few people who questioned how good he was. If there still are people questioning his talent after what he has done in the NCAA Tournament – 40 points against Gonzaga in the first round (a game he essentially won by himself), then 30 against Georgetown in the second – we question their knowledge about basketball. He has unlimited range, a hair-trigger release and he can run all day. In short, he’s a joy to watch – and a nightmare to cover.

3. UCLA’s Kevin Love

2. North Carolina’s Tyler Hansbrough: When you talk about passionate players, Hansbrough, a junior, has to be at the top. He goes full out all the time. But it’s not just about his effort. The man has talent. He’s great at worming his way underneath. He can pop the occasional 15-foot jumper. He’s more athletic than he looks. He knows how to get defensive position. He’s a good rebounder, and he knows how to get to the line. Once he’s at the line, he knows how to put the ball in the basket.

1. Kansas State’s Michael Beasley

Stephen Curry scored 25 of his 30 points in the second half and the Davidson Wildcats rallied from a 17-point second-half deficit to stun the No. 2 seed Georgetown Hoyas 74-70 on Sunday at the RBC Center in Raleigh, sending the Wildcats to a spot in the round of 16.

Despite 14 points from Jessie Sapp, 12 from Jonathan Wallace and 63 percent shooting, Georgetown was undone by 20 turnovers.

View pictures from the Davidson vs Georgetown basketball game here.

Stephen Curry scored 30 of his 40 points in the second half and hit the tie-breaking three-pointer with just over a minute left to lead Davidson to an 82-76 win over Gonzaga in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Jason Richards added 15 points and nine assists for Davidson.

View the 2008 NCAA Tournament Davidson vs. Gonzaga basketball game pictures here.