The most wonderful time of the year is about to begin and the ACC Tournament is sort of like the cocktail hour before the main event. There are a number of storylines heading into this tournament such as how many bids will this league get, can Duke win without an athletic Henderson, will UNC show up and win the title, etc...
Thursday
Game #1: Clemson v. Florida State - This is essentially the most important game of the tournament. The winner keeps their NCAA hopes on life support while the loser packs their bags for the NIT. To me, since Clemson has struggled so much down the stretch, I think they need two wins over FSU and then North Carolina, which I can't see happening. For Florida State, they definitely need the one over Clemson but I think even a competitive showing against Carolina could put them in the dance. It all depends on these conference tournaments as well. So far, no one from these major conferences have stolen a bid from the majors but there is still time. Take a look at the Horizon Championship. If Wright State wins tonight, that's a two bid league. FSU will be rooting for Butler.
Game #2: Maryland v. Miami - Even though Miami actually beat Maryland on the road earlier in the year, this is a much different Maryland team that is clicking on all cylinders. Miami just isn't big enough or strong enough to compete with them. This will be a snoozer and Miami will finally be out of their misery after getting trounced in ACC play.
Game #3: Duke v. NC State - An interesting game considering these teams are much different than they were when they met on Januar 20th. Atsur makes NC State a much better team and Duke used his absence in the 1st game to force 20 turnovers. Conventional wisdom tells us to pick Duke in this tournament since they've dominated it in previous years but the task is this, beat NC State and end their season. If NC State wins, they qualify for the NIT, which is a pretty decent season considering their early departures, lack of depth, change of system.
Game #4: Georgia Tech v. Wake Forest - Some "experts" claim Tech still has work to do. They are dead wrong. A .500 in the ACC coupled with wins over BC, Duke, UNC, and a huge non-conference win over Memphis gets them in. However, it would serve them right to beat Wake because a loss to Wake would be considered a "bad loss". Wake Forest is young and they are still a year or two away. Getting Patrick Patterson could help them immensely but hopefully Duke gets him.
Predictions
FSU beats Clemson, Al Thorton doesn't want his career to end without ever making the dance.
Maryland blows out Miami
Duke edges NC State in a very tough game. Look for McRoberts to exploit their lack of size.
Georgia Tech blows out Wake
UNC edges a determined Florida State team
Maryland beats BC despite 35 from Jared Dudley
Georgia Tech uses their front court athleticism to beat Virginia Tech
Duke gets revenge over Virginia and exploits their soft middle
UNC avenges a late loss to Maryland by using their superior depth to wear down the Terps who had to play 3 straight days
Tech's athleticism coupled with an anti-Duke crowd proves to be too much and Tech wins it late
UNC wins the ACC Championship
Projected Seeds in the NCAA Tournament
UNC #1
Maryland #3
Virginia Tech #4
Georgia Tech #5
Duke #5
Virginia #6
BC #7
Florida State gets in and gets a #11
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