ACC Tournament
The ACC Tournament gets under way on Thursday with four first-round games. Let's break them down:
Clemson (18-11) vs. Miami (15-14) - The Tigers still have an outside shot at the NCAA Tournament (according to ESPN guru Joe Lunardi, a way outside shot) with a good showing in the ACC Tournament, so motivation shouldn't be a problem for Oliver Purnell's club.
Of course, the Hurricanes will be looking to win their way into the Big Dance by claiming the ACC Tournament crown. The last time these two teams met, Miami rolled to a 62-38 win in a game that saw Clemson shoot a brutal 25.4 percent from the floor.
Still, Clemson has won four of five while the Canes have dropped six of seven.
Prediction: Clemson
Wake Forest (15-15) vs. Florida State (19-8) - The Demon Deacons have been awful this season, treating defense with the same disdain that Kate Moss has for a double cheeseburger. Still, a team with Justin Gray and Eric Williams shouldn't be counted out. Wake has played better of late, ending its season with a 13-point win over N.C. State.
Still, the Seminoles have won four of five - including a win over Duke - and they really seem to be hitting their stride right now.
Prediction: FSU in a close one
Virginia Tech (14-15) vs. Virginia (14-13) - These bitter rivals are fighting for NIT bids in this opening round clash. The Hokies have lost five of six and were swept in two meetings with Virginia this season. But the Cavaliers didn't close the season very well either, dropping four of five.
I say the old "can't beat the same team three times in a season" theory plays here.
Prediction: Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech (11-16) vs. Maryland (18-11) - Georgia Tech has really slipped this season, leading to a disappointing record for Paul Hewitt's club. The Jackets never really found themselves, and the ACC Tournament isn't a good place to come looking.
Maryland is still building a NCAA resume, and I think the Terps will want this one a little more.
Prediction: Maryland
Clemson (18-11) vs. Miami (15-14) - The Tigers still have an outside shot at the NCAA Tournament (according to ESPN guru Joe Lunardi, a way outside shot) with a good showing in the ACC Tournament, so motivation shouldn't be a problem for Oliver Purnell's club.
Of course, the Hurricanes will be looking to win their way into the Big Dance by claiming the ACC Tournament crown. The last time these two teams met, Miami rolled to a 62-38 win in a game that saw Clemson shoot a brutal 25.4 percent from the floor.
Still, Clemson has won four of five while the Canes have dropped six of seven.
Prediction: Clemson
Wake Forest (15-15) vs. Florida State (19-8) - The Demon Deacons have been awful this season, treating defense with the same disdain that Kate Moss has for a double cheeseburger. Still, a team with Justin Gray and Eric Williams shouldn't be counted out. Wake has played better of late, ending its season with a 13-point win over N.C. State.
Still, the Seminoles have won four of five - including a win over Duke - and they really seem to be hitting their stride right now.
Prediction: FSU in a close one
Virginia Tech (14-15) vs. Virginia (14-13) - These bitter rivals are fighting for NIT bids in this opening round clash. The Hokies have lost five of six and were swept in two meetings with Virginia this season. But the Cavaliers didn't close the season very well either, dropping four of five.
I say the old "can't beat the same team three times in a season" theory plays here.
Prediction: Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech (11-16) vs. Maryland (18-11) - Georgia Tech has really slipped this season, leading to a disappointing record for Paul Hewitt's club. The Jackets never really found themselves, and the ACC Tournament isn't a good place to come looking.
Maryland is still building a NCAA resume, and I think the Terps will want this one a little more.
Prediction: Maryland
posted by Randy Capps at 10:52 PM
2 Comments:
One out of four ain't bad!
Guess I can't quit my day job yet...
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