Gary, Greivis Take ACC Coach, Player Awards

Fifth in the ACC, I think not.

The preseason AP Top 25 ranked North Carolina (6), Duke (9), Georgia Tech (22) and Clemson (24), leaving Maryland on the outside looking in.

Today, the Terps have tied to Duke Blue Devils for a share of the ACC Regular Season Title, and their head coach and on-court leader earned top rewards for the conference.

Coach Gary Williams, in his twenty-first year as Maryland head coach, once again shows he knows how to do more with less than any other coach in the country.

Greivis Vasquez, the senior leading scorer who always found himself on an NBA roster last summer, has raced past Duke's Jon Scheyer and Virginia Tech's Macolm Delaney.

Gary has received much criticism over the past years for failing to reach the big dance three times since winning the National Championship in 2002. This year, however, he used the leadership of his big three, Vasquez, Eric Hayes and Landon Milbourne, to prove all the doubters wrong, and show them that heart is just as, or more important than skill.

Vasquez is exactly a Gary-type player, in that his heart and devotion to the game in evident all the time. Many NBA scouts doubt Vasquez as a professional talent, but there's no question that his passion makes him an excellent college basketball player.

Other notes:

• Kobe Bryant - wow - seven game-winners in a season is outstanding. As much as I root for Kobe, I don't see them winning the NBA Championship this year. I don't see the hunger or heart (see Greivis Vasquez) like they had last season following a finals loss to the Celtics. To me, I see Denver (if all healthy + George Karl) winnings. Sorry LeBron, see you in the blue and orange next year, oh and bring Bosh if he plays like last night too.
• Thomas Jones to the Chiefs. Is it just me or do the Chiefs sweep up every veteran. Chris Chambers and Jones, along with the likes of underrated Jamaal Charles and a hopefully less-disappointing Matt Cassel - well, at least it's a hope for KC fans.
• Every single player being rumorer to go to the Seattle Seahawks. This includes/included Julius Peppers - Tim Tebow - Brandon Marshall - Donovan McNabb - Kevin Kolb - Aaron Kampman - etc. Last time I checked, Pete Carroll has not been a successful NFL head coach. Granted, he had a powerhouse at USC, but we've seen in many occasions that does not always translate to the professional ranks. I'm intrigued by the rumors that all these players are linked to the Seahawks, and anxious to see who actually decides to go.
• Finally, personal promotion. Follow me on twitter @samspiegs.