Basketball bursts into ACC play over break
By Matt Gallagher
Old Gold and Black Reporter

Break? What’s a break? While the rest of the campus goes home for a month-long winter break, the Demon Deacon basketball team plunges into the heart of its schedule. One could argue that this stretch of games could make or break the Deacs’ year, as it showcases the squad’s ACC opener, a game in Madison Square Garden and a trip to Chapel Hill — yes, that Chapel Hill.

The Deacons open their ACC schedule Dec. 16 against Florida State at home. The Seminoles, who finished 9-21 overall and 4-12 in ACC play last season, are led by senior guard Delvon Arrington and coached by Steve Robinson. The ‘Noles stand at a 3-2 record so far for this year.

The Deacs remain at home for a Dec. 19 game against St. Francis (Pa.), before traveling to New York City for a game against St. John’s Dec. 22. The game, being played in Madison Square Garden, features a 4-1 Red Storm squad that is very young and very athletic. Junior guard Marcus Hatten has paced the Red Storm thus far, with 17.8 points per game. The game is tentatively scheduled to be aired on ESPN, reaching a national audience.

The Deacons return to Winston-Salem for two games before the big trek over to Chapel Hill. Marquette and Richmond will loom over Joel Coliseum on Dec. 29 and Jan. 2, respectively.

Jan. 5 is that date on your calendar that should be circled — the Deacs and the Tar Heels will square off in Chapel Hill for an in-state/intra-conference grudge match. The game, which is also being televised by ESPN, pits UNC seniors Kris Lang and Jason Capel against the Deacs senior-laden squad. The ’Heels have gotten off to a very slow start this season, and became the first Carolina team in history to start 0-3. The team currently resides at 1-3, after a close home win over Georgia Tech.

The Demon Deacons will then take a short jaunt up to Annapolis, Md., to play Navy, on Jan. 7. The Deacs will then return home on Jan. 12 for another ACC game, against Clemson.