Thursday, January 24, 2008

ACC scheduling becoming an issue

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski took up Virginia Tech’s cause Thursday night when he criticized the ACC’s scheduling.

After Duke won 81-64 in Blacksburg, Va., Krzyzewski said it’s not fair that Virginia Tech has to turn around and fly to Boston College for a Saturday afternoon game when the Eagles didn’t play a midweek game.

“That should never happen in our league,” Krzyzewski said. “That’s not a good thing.”

Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg said he isn’t making the quick turnaround an issue for the Hokies. He said the team will take a 90-minute chartered flight, eat a catered meal and enjoy an ice cream bar Friday before playing at Boston College the next day.

He made it sound like a luxurious trip, even though his players’ legs will be weary. “We’re not going to use it as an excuse,” he said.

By taking the high road, Greenberg might prevent negative thinking from entering his players’ heads. The reality is that many coaches despise the quick turnarounds that become necessary because the ACC is contractually obligated to show so many games on television.

Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt has suggested that it might be a good idea to have certain days during the week when games can’t be scheduled. A more regular, less chaotic schedule might help players perform better in the classroom.

But athletics departments have become addicted to the money TV provides. That’s why athletics directors remain willing to let TV executives call the shots on scheduling. – Ken Tysiac

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Money is the reason,
for the screwy basketball season.

Wednesday and Saturday games should be the mantra.

Anonymous said...

If I recall, Coach K used to schedule Sunday-Tuesday combinations to prep his teams for NCAA Tourney play when you only have a one day rest period. Sounds like an about face...

Anonymous said...

This is easy to solve. Institute a mandatory 60-rest period between games. This would follow a rotation of Thursday - Sunday - Wednesday - Saturday - Tuesday minimum pattern. Essentially it would eliminate any Sunday - Tuesday or Thursday - Saturday turnarounds. And there would be plenty of games for the TV hounds...

Anonymous said...

Like it mattered. VT still won.

Anonymous said...

Why are there byes in this league? 12 teams should give 6 games each weekend and during the week with no odd man out.

Anonymous said...

BC was the "beneficiary" of the scheduling - but has to play at UNC on Thursday after the 'Heels had a "bye" for the weekend, followed by a road trip to Clemson on Saturday after Clemson has a mid-week bye. What goes around, comes around I guess.