FanPost

Miami Defeats Duke: Good or Bad?

Miami beat Duke yesterday (Feb. 5) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Is this outcome good or bad for NC State?

Positives:
With the win Miami moves solidly into the Top 50 in the RPI at #38 (numbers from CBSSports.com), giving NC State its first win over a Top 50 opponent

NC State plays Miami twice this season and Duke only once, Duke was always going to be considered a good win/not bad loss, but now Miami could serve as TWO good wins if they manage to stay Top 50.

Negatives:
Miami and NC State might just be fighting it out for a 5th NCAA bid for the ACC. Miami just landed their signature win, something which NC State does not have. I know, I know, State's hopes for a tourney bid probably ended with the loss to UVA, but let a guy speculate will ya?

Discussion:
Both teams still have a lot of work to do, and one could easily lump Virginia into this group, although I think Virginia has a stronger resume at this point than Miami or State. All three of those teams still have multiple chances for wins against the top 3 ACC teams, and also plenty of opportunities to stumble. NC State definitely has the worst loss of the bunch, with the home loss to Georgia Tech (does anyone remember that game even taking place?). At this juncture I think the biggest thing missing from NC State's tourney resume is good wins, so I am hoping Miami can stay in the Top 50, that State can get another win against them, and at least 1 win against UNC, Duke, or FSU. So keep doing your thing Miami, State can still control its own destiny.

p.s. I am just happy that it is February and I can still write that last line.