ACC notebook: Scooter wants alma mater to win it all

OK, so maybe the Wolfpack had more important things to worry about last night, like prepping for Maryland in today’s semifinal. But Sherrill certainly wishes his tournament and the 3AN.C. High School Athletic Association Western Regionals weren’t on the same weekend.

“They’re gonna win it all,” Sherrill said. “I wish I could see them at least once this year.”

The demands of the ACC hoops season don’t leave many open dates to head home. Sherrill got all of two days off at Christmas, but was back in Raleigh before the start of the Sam Moir Christmas Classic.

He’s talked to West head coach Mike Gurley sparingly throughout this season and not at all to any of the Falcons.

“My parents have been keeping me up to date,”Sherrill said of the Falcons’ run. “We’ve been so busy, and they have been, too.

“I can’t make it up there tonight,”he said with a sigh.

Even if State had lost to Virginia on Friday afternoon, Sherrill would’ve been heading back to Raleigh, with practice for the Pack’s impending trip to the NCAA Tournament a first priority.

Next weekend, when West hopes to be in Chapel Hill playing for the state championship, Sherrill and State will be competing in the first and second rounds of the NCAAs.

Sherrill played four minutes in the first half against the Cavs, hitting his only shot — a tough runner in the lane. He added a steal, a turnover and two fouls in his brief appearance.

His eight-second appearance in the second half came between quick timeouts.

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MEMORIES: The last time Maryland and N.C. State played, Pack freshman Julius Hodge delivered an elbow to the back of Steve Blake’s head and was suspended for a game.

That marked the start of a five-game slide in which Hodge shot poorly and averaged just six points per contest.

When asked if Hodge had tried to forget that game, Pack senior Anthony Grundy laughed.

“I think after that he pretty much went into the tank, so I think he’s ready to try to get that game back and get into the flow,”the senior said. “He’s been playing pretty well for us and hopefully he can get it going.”

Hodge scored 21 points in State’s regular-season finale against Wake Forest and added 12 points, seven boards and five assists in Friday’s win. When asked about facing Blake again, he deflected discussion of the matchup and insisted the focus would be the Grundy-Juan Dixon battle.

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SEMINOLE SUPPORT: Steve Robinson didn’t want to speculate on his future at Florida State, but he said he will meet with Athletic Director Dave Hart sometime next week.

Robinson said very little, but he has received support from his players and other ACC coaches.

“I do have a lot of faith in him,”FSU’s Michael Joiner said.“I trust every decision he’s made for the team.”

After Maryland’s win over the Seminoles on Friday, Gary Williams made his case for Robinson returning as Florida State’s coach.

“There are certain jobs that are more difficult than others,”Williams said. “Personally, in my opinion, he’s done a great job and he’s a tremendous asset.”

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HELPING HAND:When Georgia Tech senior Michael Isenhour was diagnosed with acute lymphomic leukemia in late October, Tony Akins constantly visited the Emory University Hospital to provide support.

Isenhour has gotten the chance to return the favor.

The Yellow Jackets struggled to an 0-7 start in ACC play, and Isenhour talked on the phone with Akins, also a senior, to keep his spirits up.

Georgia Tech won eight of its last 10 conference games, and Akins averaged 22 points and 6.2 rebounds during the Jackets’ five-game winning streak to close out the regular season.

“He said, ‘You can get through this, just keep your head up,’ ”Akins recalled. “I was like, ‘Mike, I understand what you’re going through, but it’s hard for me to relate.’ ”

Isenhour, who graduated following the fall semester, has continued chemotherapy treatments on an outpatient basis and will begin graduate school this summer.

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NO COMMENT: Robinson was asked if Nigel Dixon, who fouled out and had eight turnovers against Maryland, got a fair chance to post up, and the coach said he couldn’t comment.

Senior Delvon Arrington reached for his microphone and tried to speak into it, but couldn’t be heard.

Robinson stopped him before he could.

“You can’t comment, either,” he said with a laugh.

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PAINT BY NUMBERS:On Thursday night, the Coliseum floor made a work of art out of Joiner’s jersey. Maryland’s Lonny Baxter became the victim on Friday, as blue streaks from the paint filled the back of his white uniform top after he hit the floor.

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IN OR OUT? Virginia’s 20-point loss did serious damage to the Cavaliers’ hopes for an NCAA Tournament bid.

Guard Roger Mason, Jr. thinks UVa should get in any way.

“I guess I’m supposed to say no comment,” Mason said. “But of 64 teams, I think we deserve to be in it. We beat the defending national champions and I wish we could have won today. It is like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.