ACC Tournament Picks

FIRST ROUND

#8 Clemson vs #9 Florida State: This is pretty much an elimination game. Loser goes to the NIT. Winner probably has to beat UNC as well to get in the NCAAs. Both teams blew pretty good starts to put themselves squarely on the bubble. I give Clemson the edge though because they swept FSU this year and in the games I saw, Clemson looked like the better team. Clemson 71 Florida State 70

#5 Maryland vs #12 Miami: After struggling to 3-6 during the first nine games of ACC play, the Terps really turned it around as they're on a seven game winning streak with two wins against Duke and one against North Carolina. Miami pulled off a few upsets in conference this year but were clearly the worst team finishing dead last at 4-12. One of their wins was against Maryland but that was way back in early January. Maryland is a different team now. Maryland 83 Miami 67

#7 Duke vs #10 NC State: I think most expected Duke to be a little weaker than usual, but a 7th place finish? An 8-8 record? The Duke faithful are gnashing their teeth. Plus with the dubious flagrant foul call on Henderson at the end of the UNC game, Henderson will be serving a one game suspension in this game. Of course, this is against NC State, so I don't think his presence will be too sorely missed. Duke 75 NC State 62

#6 Georgia Tech vs #11 Wake Forest: Like Maryland, Georgia Tech is another team that turned their season around. They started 2-6 in conference, but were able to battle back to an 8-8 finish. Wake got a few wins, but like Miami and NC State were completely outmatched for the most part. Georgia Tech probably needs just one more win to get to the NCAAs so I think they'll be properly motivated. Georgia Tech 80 Wake Forest 67

QUARTERFINALS

#1 North Carolina vs #8 Clemson: North Carolina had been playing a little too laid back as of late losing games they probably shouldn't have with their level of talent. I wonder if the Henderson foul has changed things. I don't think Roy Williams will let the team lie down with that incident. He should get them fired up and I expect Tyler Hansbrough to come out like a man on a mission. They should beat Clemson and make them wait until Selection Sunday to find out their fate. North Carolina 78 Clemson 67

#4 Virginia Tech vs #5 Maryland: My brother says he thinks Virginia Tech is pretty good but one of the dumbest teams in the ACC. Still he picks them to win the ACC Tournament this year. I disagree as they have a bad matchup with a Maryland team really rolling. Maryland 74 Virginia Tech 68

#2 Virginia vs # 7 Duke: Virginia may have the best backcourt in the ACC. But I don't know if they have a frontcourt that can play with Duke's. Yes I'm actually picking Duke this game. Why? Don't let the records fool you. Virginia was 11-5 in ACC this year while Duke was 8-8. Yet, Virginia played the 2nd easiest schedule while Duke played the 2nd hardest. Yes Virginia beat Duke once this year. But it won't happen again. Duke 72 Virginia 65

#3 Boston College vs #6 Georgia Tech: The collapse I had been predicting finally came true for BC as they lost four of their last five including a 14 point loss to Georgia Tech on Sunday. The rematch will be closer but the outcome won't be different. Georgia Tech 76 Boston College 72

SEMIFINAL

#1 North Carolina vs #5 Maryland: Should be a good uptempo matchup. I think Maryland's streak comes to an end here though because if they play their game, UNC should be able to keep Maryland in their rear view mirror. North Carolina 78 Maryland 72

#6 Georgia Tech vs #7 Duke: This should be another game and I could see either team winning it. However, I think everyone deserves to see another Duke-UNC game especially after the Hansbrough-Henderson incident so we'll go with that. Duke 69 Georgia Tech 66

FINAL

#1 North Carolina vs #7 Duke: Duke will be going for their 8th ACC title in the last nine years. But in their way will be their hated rivals, the #1 seed Tar Heels led by an extremely motivated Hansbrough. Someone suggested that if they met again, Coach K should sit Henderson down to avoid another incident. I'll tell you one thing. If he does, it will be a Tar Heel blowout because Henderson was their best player in the last matchup. Paulus was inconsistent and McRoberts seems to look worse in every game. So I'm picking this matchup assuming Henderson does play. But I don't think it will be enough. I expect Tyler to lead the charge and have a career game as he gets "revenge" for the hard foul. North Carolina 72 Duke 67