ACC Morning Linkfest 1/26 with Game Sim Predictions

Four games in ACC play today and a full slate of games across the nation.  If you're like me and you're stuck in the house after a winter storm went through your area, its a perfect day to watch basketball.  The ACC should keep you pretty entertained with the four games on the schedule.

Maryland at Duke

Duke and Maryland tip things off on a CBS national broadcast.  There is something about these CBS games that will get your juices flowing for college basketball.  Whether its the announces, graphics, or CBS music it gets you ready for March.  The game on the court should be an interesting one with Duke coming off a woeful loss at Miami.  Does K switch up the lineup?  It wouldn't surprise me one bit to see a fresh face like Alex Murphy or Marshall Plumlee get a start.  Both guys seem to bring energy to the floor and that will be what K is looking for early in this matchup.  For Maryland, its all about taking care of the ball and getting to the 2nd TV timeout with the game still in hand.  One thing to ponder, if Maryland wins today, does it break Duke's non-conference home winning streak?

Boston College at Virginia

Virginia hosts Boston College coming off a good road win at rival Virginia Tech.  The Cavaliers have a quick turnaround though against BC, and Tony Bennett should be concerned.  Make sure to check out the preview of BC at Virginia here.

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech hosts Wake Forest and the Yellow Jackets are still looking for their first conference win of the season.  A Wake Forest win would put the Demon Deacons at 4-3 in the conference. 

UNC at NC State

The featured ACC matchup of the day is NC State hosting North Carolina.  This one should be fun for a number of reasons, College Gameday is on the scene today, there should be no shortage of points, and sitting back and watching both fanbases on Twitter should be worth the price of admission.  Game Sim likes NC State to win a close game, although it doesn't recognize NC State's ability to step up their defensive "want to" in games that matter (See Blue Devils, Duke).  The Pack will come out with a fire today, especially coming off an embarrassing loss to Wake Forest on Tuesday night.  UNC is coming off one of its better offensive performances this past week, but it remains to be see if the Heels can do something similar on the road.  I think Game Sim is being conservative.  I'll take the Pack to win 83-75.

SCACCHoops.com Power 25

If you missed the debut of the SCACCHoops.com Power 25 yesterday, check it out here.  The Power 25 is a weekly post that will rank the Top 25 teams in the nation as well as list where each ACC team ranks nationally.

Make sure to check out the game sim predictions, previews, links, and more below. 

Game Sim Predictions

Maryland at Duke - Duke wins 73-62 Sim the game here

Boston College at Virginia - Virginia wins 61-60 Sim the game here

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech - Georgia Tech wins 66-65 Sim the game here

UNC at NC State - NC State wins 74-72 Sim the game here

Team	Conf	Pct	Overall	Pct
Miami	5-0	1.000	14-3	0.824
NC State	4-2	0.667	15-4	0.789
Duke	3-2	0.600	16-2	0.889
Virginia	3-2	0.600	13-5	0.722
UNC	3-2	0.600	13-5	0.722
FSU	3-2	0.600	11-7	0.611
Maryland	3-3	0.500	15-4	0.789
Wake Forest	3-3	0.500	10-8	0.556
Virginia Tech	2-3	0.400	11-7	0.611
Clemson	2-4	0.333	10-8	0.556
Boston College	1-4	0.200	9-9	0.500
Georgia Tech	0-5	0.000	10-7	0.588

Injury Report
Ryan Kelly (DU)
reinjured right foot -Feb return
Jason Morris (GT)
plantar fasciitis - Feb return
John Auslander (MD)
left tibia fracture - out for season
Leslie McDonald (NC)
academic issues

Links

• Blue Devils look to regain winning formula
• Devils look to regroup after Canes
• Not used to losing, Duke doesn’t take it well
• Blue Devils have little time to lick their wounds
• Seeking clarity at point guard
• Duke no place to solve road woes
• Terps will wear all black Saturday
• Layman chat | On Duke, his hair
• Survey says Terps are ‘well-integrated’ basketball team with solid chemistry
• Turgeon says Duke ‘is going to be ready to go’
• Pack looks to break UNC’s hold on series
• Strickland’s quote adds new spice to UNC-N.C. State rivalry
• Strickland’s quote the least of Pack’s worries
• Tar Heels have owned N.C. State under Roy Williams
• One N.C. State fan and his relentless Twitter heckling of Dexter Strickland
• Tudor: ’75 ACC title game was UNC and Pack at its best
• Study: UNC fraud benefitted athletes, others equally
• McAdoo still developing into UNC’s go-to guy
• Norfolk’s McAdoo still growing into role at UNC
• Next challenge for Deacons is an ACC road win
• Talented freshmen making a big impact for Cavaliers
• Cavaliers get big lift from freshmen
• Rebuilding a balancing act for Tech’s Gregory
• Yellow Jackets finally catch a break
• Miami basks in post-Duke glory, hoping for bright ACC future
• UNC-NC State rivalry rising?
• Is a Big 12/ACC alliance in the works?
• Preview: Boston College at Virginia

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