ACC Tournament First Round Preview

The regular season is over and it's time for teams to step it up this week. We won't see the best teams play on Thursday, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't see some compelling games. For one team in particular, First Round Thursday is very important.

#8 Boston College vs. #9 Virginia (12:00 p.m.)
Boston College comes into this game playing better basketball as of late. The Eagles had an up and down year, losing some close games early in the conference season. They will face a Virginia squad that earned some accolades early in the year, but has really fallen on some hard times. The Cavaliers have lost 9 games in a row, and have lost their best player for the rest of the year. They did play well in their last game, a narrow loss to Maryland. I think Virginia plays hard, but in the end BC should win this one.

#5 Wake Forest vs. #12 Miami (2:30 p.m.)
Wake Forest has not played its best basketball lately, losers of 4 of their last 5. But they did end the year with a nice home win over Clemson. The Miami Hurricanes have played about even with their talent level. They went undefeated in non-conference play but started to unravel once they got into the ACC. Miami did play well at home, knocking off Wake by one point. But they have not played well historically in the ACC Tournament. Wake should win.

#7 Georgia Tech vs. #10 North Carolina (7:00 p.m.)
This is a very important game for Georgia Tech, after their home loss to Virginia Tech. If they lose this game, they won't make it into the Tournament. Fortunately for them, they are playing the Tar Heels, who are coming off a 32 point loss to rival Duke. Georgia Tech has owned Carolina in the two meetings they had this year. And they should do enough to win this game.

#6 Clemson vs. #11 NC State (9:30 p.m.)
Despite their tough road loss to Wake Forest, Clemson has played pretty well lately, with a road win over Florida State and home win over Georgia Tech. The Tigers have been a bit inconsistent on offense, but their pressing style gives opponents fit. NC State played decently in the last couple weeks of the season, but does not have the talent to compete with Clemson. I don't see an upset here.