ACC Tournament Predictions

I’ve decided to skip the first round and move straight to the Quarters.

Quarterfinals

North Carolina will beat Florida State
The Seminoles just don’t have the athletes or the one star player (Rice, McClinton) to overtake the solid five of UNC.

Miami over Virginia Tech
The Hokies were hot (four straight) before falling to Clemson (no shame in that), but the pressure is on since a defeat will probably send them to the NIT. Look for the Canes to pull out a low-scoring, slug fest.

Duke over Georgia Tech
After a disastrous couple months, Tech pulled out three of their last four, including last night’s win over Virginia. Can they pull off a State ’07 against Duke? No. No they can’t.

Boston College over Clemson
It’s the only upset I’m willing to pick in the quarters. Why am I picking a team that had dropped 12 out of 13 prior to upsetting Maryland yesterday? I’m stupid, that’s why.

SEMIFINALS

Miami shocks North Carolina
The last time they faced off, Carolina won by 18 in Miami. However, there’s something about teams like UNC, that believe they’re destined for the championship (not ACC, but National). They tend to overlook this tournament and games like these. Look at the history:

2005 – National Champ: Carolina. ACC Champ: Duke
2002 – National Champ: Maryland. ACC Champ: Duke
2001 – National Champ: Duke. ACC Champ: Duke
1993 – National Champ: Carolina. ACC Champ: Georgia Tech
1992 – National Champ: Duke. ACC Champ: Duke
1991 – National Champ: Duke. ACC Champ: North Carolina

Wait? Does this mean I’m picking North Carolina to win the National Championship? Wouldn’t you like to know, punk?

Duke over Boston College
The Eagles will keep it close for a while, but Duke has too many guns and will take down BC, playing their third game in three days.

FINALS

Duke over Miami
The revenge factor. Duke was humbled by the Hurricanes in their second meeting. In their third, Duke takes the ACC crown. However, since they didn’t get to play and beat UNC, it counts as a strike against them. They still only get a #2 seed.