ACC Men’s Tournament Preview

Part One – Thursday’s First Round Games

The 53rd Annual ACC Tournament starts Thursday in Greensboro with four First Round contests. The following is a preview of Thursday’s First Round matchups:

#8 Miami (7-9, 15-14) vs. #9 Clemson (7-9, 18-11)
Tip-off: 12:00 noon
Television Coverage: RJ (WFMY Channel 2)
Radio Coverage: Hitz 94 FM (Tar Heel Sports Network), 98.3 FM (Wake Forest ISP Network) & 600/1200 AM (Wolfpack Sports Network).

Match-up Breakdown: Miami and Clemson look to be pretty evenly matched as both teams enter the Tournament with 7-9 league records. Miami has two big time players in Diaz and Hite and if either or both can get hot from beyond the arch, the Tigers could be in trouble. Clemson will look for big games from their own 1-2 punch of Hamilton and Akingbala in order to advance. Both teams appear headed for NIT bids once their ACC Tournament runs end.

GreensboroSports.com prediction: Clemson wins a nail bitter. Tournament gets off on the right foot.

Winner Gets: #1 Duke, Friday Afternoon at noon

#5 Florida State (9-7, 19-8) vs. #12 Wake Forest (3-13, 15-15)
Tip-off: Approx. 2:30 pm
Television Coverage: RJ (WFMY Channel 2)
Radio Coverage: Hitz 94 FM (Tar Heel Sports Network), 98.3 FM (Wake Forest ISP Network) & 600/1200 AM (Wolfpack Sports Network).

Match-up Breakdown: This is probably the most interesting match-up of the First Round. FSU is coming off their huge upset of Duke last week. Many believe that the Duke win secured the Seminoles spot in the NCAA Tournament. Others say that the Noles need one, maybe two, Tournament wins to feel safe on Selection Sunday. Wake Forest would like nothing more than to foil Florida State’s dancing plans. The Deacs post season hopes also hang in the balance, as Wake needs at least one win in the Tournament just to qualify for the NIT. Wake fans have reason to feel optimistic after Saturday’s performance against NC State. For many, that was the Wake team they expected to see all season. If the Deacons are coming together, it could be at just the right time to be very dangerous for the Seminoles.

GreensboroSports.com prediction: Wake makes FSU sweat but Noles pull away in second half to sink the Deacs.

Winner Gets: #4 NC State, Friday Afternoon at Approx. 2:30 pm

#7 Virginia (7-9, 14-13) vs. #10 Virginia Tech (4-12, 14-15)
Tip-off: 7:00 pm
Television Coverage: ESPN
Radio Coverage: Hitz 94 FM (Tar Heel Sports Network), 98.3 FM (Wake Forest ISP Network) & 600/1200 AM (Wolfpack Sports Network).

Match-up Breakdown: There is no love lost between Virginia and Virginia Tech which makes this match-up of in-state rivals very intriging. Virginia Tech has suffered through a tough season, both on and off the court. Virginia has played well beyond their preseason expectations under first year head coach Dave Leitao. Look for Singletary and Reynolds to have large games for the Wahoos. Tech has played well at times, though mostly coming up short. Look for a similar result here.

GreensboroSports.com prediction: Virginia ends Hokies hard luck season with a comfortable win over in-state rival.

Winner Gets: #2 UNC, Friday Night at 7:00 pm

#6 Maryland (8-8, 18-11) vs. #11 Georgia Tech (4-12, 11-16)
Tip-off: Approx. 9:30 pm
Television Coverage: RJ (WFMY Channel 2)
Radio Coverage: Hitz 94 FM (Tar Heel Sports Network), 98.3 FM (Wake Forest ISP Network) & 600/1200 AM (Wolfpack Sports Network).

Match-up Breakdown: Much like the FSU/Wake Forest match-up, one team is fighting for their NCAA Tournament lives while the other has nothing really to lose. Maryland’s tournament bubble will burst with an upset loss here. A win gives the Terps hope that, with a good showing on Friday, they’ll be dancing on Sunday. Georgia Tech, on the other hand, is a young team who at times looks brilliant (first half @ UNC) and at others looks awful (second half @ UNC). The Jackets have a great coach but to make some major noise in this tournament, Paul Hewitt might have to do the job of his life. On the other bench, Gary Williams has some big time tournament experience so the Terps could be dark house.

GreensboroSports.com prediction: Maryland gets a must win as the Terps scramble to punch ticket for the Big Dance. Young but scrappy Jackets keep it close throughout.

Winner Gets: # 3 Boston College, Friday Night at Approx. 9:30 pm