The 12-team ACC tournament begins on Thursday March 8 and continues to Sunday March 11 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.
No. 8 Clemson Tigers (-1) vs. No. 9 Florida State Seminoles
The importance of Toney Douglas to Florida State was legitimized this past weekend when the sophomore point guard helped the Seminoles to an overtime win against Miami in his first game back after breaking his hand in early February. In the five games Douglas missed, FSU went 1-4 straight up (2-3 ATS) and put itself on the bubble for an outright bid into the NCAA tournament.
Final prediction: Florida State 71, Clemson 68
No. 5 Maryland Terrapins (-13) vs. No. 12 Miami Hurricanes
Maryland is the hottest team in the ACC heading into the conference tournament and has its relentless attack of the basket to thank. The Terrapins constantly look to get to the hoops and don’t settle for many perimeter jumpers. The development of point guard Greivis Vasquez is the biggest spark for Maryland, who surrounds the freshman with experienced veteran players.
Final prediction: Maryland 77, Miami 66
No. 7 Duke Blue Devils (-9 1/2) vs. No. 10 North Carolina State Wolfpack
The Blue Devils have been short on athletic ability all season and now, after the suspension of guard Gerald Henderson, they will be very thin in their first game of the ACC tournament. Henderson’s season stats might not turn many heads but his contributions on defense as well as making the jump to the starting lineup late in conference play, leaves a big piece missing in Duke’s puzzle.
Final prediction: Duke 65, North Carolina State 63
No. 6 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (-10) vs. No. 11 Wake Forest Demon Deacons
It took an entire non-conference schedule and full ACC calendar but the Yellow Jackets are finally gelling, and just in time too. Their wins over North Carolina and Boston College to end the season is enough for a outright NCAA bid and is something their young roster can build on in the ACC tournament. Freshmen Thaddeus Young and Javaris Crittenton are one-two in scoring and have juniors Ra’Sean Dickey and Anthony Morrow to lean back on. The Jackets only issue will be playing away from the Alexander Memorial Coliseum, a situation in which they have only won four games this season.
Final prediction: Georgia Tech 68, Wake Forest 63