Let’s get right into it: here’s what’s happening around the ACC — starting with Dewan Hernandez and Miami.
Dewan Hernandez ruled out for the 2018-19 season, declares for NBA Draft
After a final ruling from the NCAA, forcing Miami center Dewan Hernandez to sit the rest of the 2018-19 season and 40 percent of next season, the 6-foot-10 center declared for the 2019 NBA Draft. He will leave the program and prepare for the draft.
Dewan Hernandez leaving UM ‘with heavy heart’, turning pro after NCAA rulinghttps://t.co/yN9wQZpbEM @CanesHoops @miamihurricanes @MiamiHerald @ACCSports @NBA @HeraldSports @DewanGoesFor_20
— Michelle Kaufman (@kaufsports) January 29, 2019
This is a disappointing conclusion to Hernandez’s time at Miami. After a productive sophomore season, Hernandez tested the NBA Draft waters last spring, but elected to return to school. On basically the eve of the 2018-19 season, his eligibility was called into question — due to his relationship with Christian Dawkins.
The opportunity cost for Hernandez is very real, too. He misses out not only on a season of basketball, but whatever money he would’ve made playing professionally (somewhere) this past year — easily tens of thousands of dollars.
Zion, Duke dominate at Notre Dame
Duke went on the road Monday night and once again the Zion Williamson show was in full force at Notre Dame. In the 83-61 win, Williamson scored 26 points (10-12 FGA), grabbed nine rebounds (four offensive), blocked four shots and dished out four assists, too.
Defensively, he was everywhere; as usual, he did his thing on the weak side. However, he also showed some ridiculous on-ball defense against Prentiss Hubb — a guy he outweighs by 100 pounds.
then he goes and does this, though pic.twitter.com/e3dOLnAI8j
— Brian Geisinger (@bgeis_bird) January 29, 2019
Tuesday Night Hoops
There are three games in ACC men’s basketball tonight, including a top-25 matchup in Raleigh:
- No. 3 Virginia at No. 23 NC State, 7 p.m.
- No. 9 North Carolina at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m.
- Pittsburgh at Clemson, 9 p.m.
Thayer Thomas added to NC State’s baseball roster
During his redshirt freshman season in 2018, Thayer Thomas emerged as a solid slot receiver and gadget-play weapon for NC State. He caught 34 balls for 383 yards and three touchdowns; Thomas also completed 1-of-2 pass attempts for 56 yards. Well, now he’s showing even more versatility.
Thayer Thomas now listed on NC State Baseball roster https://t.co/QJdACSuzE5
— Big Brick Energy (@BackingThePack) January 28, 2019
Thomas is listed as an outfielder on NC State’s roster.