It's that time of the year again, where everyone has a clean slate and hopes that likely exceed their team's talent in some cases. Thursday features 8 teams that need to win to have hope to continue their season beyond the ACC tournament. Such desperation often leads to incredible things on the basketball court.
Over at DBR, Al Featherston has a wonderful piece on the ACC tournament. Featherston will be covering the tourney for DBR, so go back each day and check them out.
Let's preview the games:
- Clemson vs Miami Noon RJ - Both teams have had good guard play lately, and guard play often drives teams in March. Look for the pace this game will be played in, most likely if Clemson can make this a hectic game, the Tigers chances to win will go up. If Miami gets the game in the 60's then they should have a good shot. Miami won the only matchup against Clemson during the regular season.
- Wake Forest vs FSU 2:30 RJ - This is the one the Webmaster is looking forward to the most today. With Wake Forest playing perhaps their best game of the season against State on senior day, Justin Gray and Eric Williams want to keep their college careers alive. FSU, on the other hand should be able to clinch a NCAA bid with a win, although they should be in already. FSU won the only matchup with Wake Forest this season.
- Virginia Tech vs Virginia 7 ESPN - Virginia took both matchups during the regular season, but if there was one team I could see winning 4 games in this tournament, it is the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies are just getting used to playing with their entire team, and have two guards that can control a game on both ends of the floor in Zabian Dowdell and Jamon Gordon. Virginia will rely heavily on Sean Singletary, but watch the 6'3" Gordon to match up well with Singletary.
- Georgia Tech vs Maryland 9:30 RJ - Similar to FSU, Maryland's hopes rely on their success in the ACC Tournament. The Terps pretty much have to beat Georgia Tech, and possibly beat Boston College as well to clinch a NCAA bid. For Georgia Tech, it will be all about taking care of the ball. The Terps won both games against Georgia Tech during the regular season.
Predictions
Clemson over Miami by 3
FSU over Wake Forest by 5
Virginia Tech over Virginia by 1
Maryland over Georgia Tech by 3
