Sure we lost to UNC (the school we all love to hate on), but that does not mean we are "owed" a won every time. Coleman is a very high quality coach and they have lots of talent and are a Top 10 team. Ohio State/Mizzou probably feel the same about losing to us. We lost Prata, BC McF, and Smeltz matches that all could have easily gone the other way IMO. On another day we could win 25-9. We needed a reality check and this will serve to motivate the team going into the stretch. For those of you tuning in and being upset about the loss -- balance it with a celebration of the wins that we were not supposed to walk away with. We are good...very good...and getting better. But so is the ACC.

The BIGGEST positive is that ACC has come a long way in a very short amount of time and is now extremely competitive in the sport -- VT is no sure thing anymore in the ACC. I would say that our 6 programs top to bottom are pretty impressive and have come a long way - I am sure Big Ten programs are taking notice and getting worried. This is good for the sport and bad for the Big Ten.

McF got TF'd and that is disappointing, but I didn't think it was as bad as everyone is taking it. He got a nifty takedown and had over 1:00 RT in the first and was in control of the match. He got caught in a roll late and that is when the wheels started coming off. Because VT had to have this match....McF was forced to employ a strategy that simply did not work against Monday and kept getting caught underneath in similar fashion multiple times. McF will learn from this going into ACCT. He did look very tired in the end -- more than usual so I don't think this is a conditioning thing....probably something specific to yesterday.

Prata will never be better than #20 or so unless he starts attacking more. He is another example similar to McF yesterday where the NF put him in a hole he has difficulty getting out of. IIRC Dance had a similar style and it cost him better finishes in the NCAAT.

Moore's style is great for the season against inferior opponents, but I have said before...until he broadens his attacks he will hit a wall. He has failed to break through against anyone ranked top 20 and generally gets beat soundly by competition that stands between him and AA status.

BC did fine. He had a another close one and Headley was bound to return the favor at some point.

Gerardi showed continued improvement. Bryce did well to stay out of really sticky spots against one of the best. Hughes had a tough out but worked hard. Bolen is a beast on a mission. Smeltzer almost stole one and no quit there. Borst looked great.