Storylines from round two of the ACC Tournament: Jim Boeheim Retires
Jim Boeheim
The second round of the ACC Tournament started with some shocking news as legendary Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim announced his retirement from the university after 60 years of coaching.
After a devastating loss to Wake Forrest (77-74) from a last-second shot with only .5 seconds left in the game. Boeheim will hang it up after 47 years as Syracuse Head Coach.
The news comes hours after Boeheim cryptically hinted at his retirement following his team’s loss to Wake Forest in the ACC tournament but said that his “future would be left up to the university.”
Boeheim ranks second in Division I men’s coaching victories with 1,116, though the NCAA vacated 101 of those wins after an investigation into the program in 2014-15. Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is the only men’s coach with more wins at 1,202.
In 47 seasons, Boeheim’s teams have made 35 NCAA Tournament appearances, advanced to five Final Fours, and won one national title in 2003.
WAKE THE NATION
Daivien Williamson made a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left and Wake Forest beat Syracuse 77-74. This was the first ACC tournament win for the Deamon Deacons since 2017.
“I trusted and had the confidence in myself to make that shot,” Williamson said. “All the work we put into the season came down to that play and we executed well.”
Williamson finished with four 3-pointers and 17 points in the game.
All five starters scored in double figures for the Deacons, led by Daivien Williamson and Bobi Klintman with 17 points each. The ACC's leading scorer this season Tyree Appleby finished with 15 points and 12 assists.
“Ty puts me in a position to score the basketball it’s really fun playing with him on the court and he’s always looking to pass the ball,” Williamson said. “His leadership allows me to play confidently and freely so we’re happy to have him.”
Appleby was named AP Acc Player of the year however, the Acc named Miami guard Isaiah Wong the ACC player of the year over Appleby. When asked about the matchup against Miami Thursday, Appleby just wants to keep doing what he’s been doing and just play basketball.
“It’s like any regular game Im not too worried about all the accolades my main focus is making it to the postseason,” Appleby said.
Capel vs Duke
Pittsburgh defeated Georgia Tech 89-81 giving the Panthers a season sweep of their three meetings versus the Yellow Jackets in 2022-23. Pitt won both regular-season meetings.
Jamarius Burton led all scorers with 21 points and was 10-of-15 shooting. In addition, Burton handed out eight assists. That matches the Pitt ACC Tournament single-game record first set by Xavier Johnson against Wake Forest in 2020.
“I'm grateful man I put the work in all season and my teammates just allowed me to be aggressive,” Burton said. “I was disappointed with our loss at Duke during the season so this time we’re coming out aggressive.
This matchup against Duke will not only be personal for the players but for the 2023 ACC Coach of the year Jeff Capel.
Capel played for Duke from 1993-1997 and joined his former coach Mike Kryzewski as an assistant/associate Head Coach for the Blue Devils from 2011-2018.
In spring 2018, Capel assumed control of a Pitt program that was winless (0-19) against ACC opponents in 2017-2018. After Capel’s first four years, Pitt was 51-69, including a total of only 21 ACC victories. After finishing 11-21 a year ago, many thought the tenure for Capel was over but the transfer portal thought otherwise.
Capel and his staff rebuilt almost the entire roster with players from the NCAA transfer portal. Guard Jamarius Burton, who was named first-team All-ACC on Monday, arrived in 2021. Nike Sibande, the ACC Sixth Man of the Year this season, arrived on campus a year before that. Then, point guard Nelly Cummings, guard Greg Elliott and forward Blake Hinson, a second-team All-ACC pick this season, enrolled before the 2022 season.
“Coach Capel instills a lot of confidence in us night in and night out regardless if we’re playing well or not,” Burton said. “Im forever grateful to have him as my coach now and we’re gonna beat Duke for him.”
