ACC Country

Knowing how crazy life sometimes gets for me, I’m gonna go ahead and knock this sucker out tonight. since I have not adjusted to the time change yet. Be on the lookout for Eric’s later in the week. With Clemson’s nail-biting victory over Virginia Tech at Littlejohn this afternoon and Virginia’s mild upset of Maryland at JPJ on Senior Night for 11 year guard Sean Singletary, the ACC Bracket is set and games tip off on Thursday afternoon in Charlotte, a fitting location considering the stakes at hand this coming weekend.

FIRST ROUND

#8 Wake Forest vs. #9 Florida State. I think all four first round pairings are intriguing. Wake took both regular season meetings, but FSU is playing better basketball right now, winning 4 of their last 5. Jason Rich (who I refer to exclusively to as “Jay R-uh” in homage to the hilarious shoe commercial from a few years back with Jason Richardson) and Toney Douglas slash and shoot their way past a struggling Wake team who lost four straight after the Duke upset until beating N.C. State in the season finale. FSU 76-69.

#5 Miami vs. #12 N.C. State

Speaking of the Wolfpack, Sidney Lowe pulled a Les Robinson and led the Pack to a last place finish after the high hopes placed upon them coming into the season. Losers of 8 straight, I see no reason the Wolfpack end that slide against a Miami team looking to put a stamp on its NCAA reservations. Jack McClinton will put on a show, but I got a hunch that State keeps this close for 35 minutes before the ‘Canes put them away late, revenge for the OT loss to the Pack in Raleigh two months ago. Miami 84-71.

#7 Georgia Tech vs. #10 Virginia

The Cavaliers went into Atlanta a week ago and stole the “rainout game” 76-74. Tech needed a hot Matt Causey and OT to down the Cavs in Charlottesville the month prior. Tech has rallied to win 3 of its last 4 after dropping 5 straight and 6 of 7 to open the month of February, but Virginia has played better ball since taking Carolina to the wire last month and Singletary is capable of putting the Cavs on his back and winning a game. I like the Cavs in the slight upset. UVA 73-70.

#6 Maryland vs. #11 Boston College

The Terps are DOA. They somehow still have NCAA aspirations, but in my book, those went down the toilet along with their 20 point second half lead at home against Clemson on Senior Night. Virginia handled them in the second half at JPJ tonight and Maryland showed little interest in battling back once their backs were to the wall. With Vasquez and Gist, the Terps have been an emotional team all season. The moodiness on that downswing of emotion kills them here. Tyrese Rice and company, with nothing to play for but pride, cap opening night off with the upset, sending Maryland back to College Park with nothing but an NIT invitation. BC 72-64.

QUARTERFINALS

#1 North Carolina vs. #9 Florida State

A rested Heels team in theory makes quick work of the Seminoles here. But FSU stayed with Carolina on Senior Night in Chapel Hill, and I suspect the ‘Noles hang with the Tar Heels for a half or so before Carolina amps up the acceleration and pulls away in the second half as Ty Lawson will be one week healthier. UNC 89-70.

#4 Virginia Tech vs. #5 Miami

Don’t know if this game ever happened at MSG in the Big East Tournament, but it sure doesn’t feel right as the 2:30 matchup on Friday in the ACC Tournament in Charlotte. Miami took the only meeting between the schools in Blacksburg a month ago. Until losing at Clemson today, the Hokies were 4-0 since being run off the floor by Carolina last month. But I’m not sold on VT at all. I like the Hurricanes to pull the upset late and put the Hokies’ NCAA hopes on the bubble come Sunday. Miami 80-78.

#2 Duke vs. #10 Virginia

The Blue Devils went into JPJ earlier this week and handled their business fairly easily. Duke will also be looking to make a statement after losing to Carolina in Durham, costing them the ACC Title. Singletary is phenomenal and he’s gonna show up to play, but he can’t beat Duke on his own, and Dave Leitao doesn’t have enough weapons in the bag to complement him. Duke comes out a little over-anxious, but settles down and controls the second half to win comfortably. Duke 77-63.

#3 Clemson vs. #11 Boston College

BC may get by Maryland; they won’t get by Clemson. The Eagles do not matchup well at all with the Tigers and like their meeting back in February, Clemson will roll here. Nothing clears out the arena quicker than a blowout in the late game. That is exactly what happens here. Clemson 81-57.

SEMIFINALS

#1 North Carolina vs. #5 Miami

Dwayne Collins is good. Tyler Hansbrough and the UNC front line are better. Jack McClinton is good. The Carolina backcourt is better. The Heels dispatch both Florida schools on their way to the ACC Final with a fairly easy win in Saturday’s opener in a game that’s not as close as it looks. UNC 87-70.

#2 Duke vs. #3 Clemson

This one is a toss up. If this matchup takes place, expect the crowd to REALLY get into it. The Tigers felt they were on the short end of some calls in Cameron in the two teams’ only meeting in January. The Tigers have the size inside to pose serious problems for undersized Duke, but they are not fast enough on the perimeter to keep up with Duke’s slash and pass offense. As is usually the story with the Blue Devils, if Duke hits shots, they win. If the threes aren’t falling, Clemson has the bodies to make it difficult for them. If Clemson protects the ball and can execute in the paint, they win. And of course, being a Carolina fan, I just wanna see both teams pound the crap out of each other for 40 minutes… or more. Yes, I’m picking this one to go to OT. But the Achilles’ heel of Clemson comes back to bite them at the worst possible time and they can’t make their free throws in OT, leaving the door open for Duke to capitalize and take the game in a thriller. Duke 88-85.

CHAMPIONSHIP

#1 North Carolina vs. #2 Duke

This is the game the media obviously wants, and I think they’ll get it, with the #1 seed in the East hanging in the balance, particularly for Carolina. (Tennessee could still sneak into Charlotte if Duke wins this and some cards fall right.) I won’t comment further than the following logic: if a healthy Carolina can beat Duke in Durham in a game where Tyler Hansbrough shoots zero free throws, a healthy Carolina can beat Duke on a neutral court. Not going to say anything more, nor will you get a score out of me. But that’s it, that’s the tournament.