ACC Tournament Preview: First Round

The ACC Tournament starts on Thursday, with some interesting matchups. For most teams, though, the real interest doesn't start until Friday. This week's tournament could mean the difference between an NCAA bid and a berth in the NIT. It can also be huge in terms of seeding.

Last year, the tournament was chaos. The 11 and 12 seeds won multiple games, and in the quarterfinals, the 2, 3 and 4 seeds all lost. I don't see that pattern repeating this year, but you never know.

So here's a look at Thursday's slate:

#8 Virginia vs. #9 Miami (12:00 p.m.) - These are two teams that at the beginning of the year you would not have thought would have matched up in this 8/9 game. But Virginia has held things together very well while Miami has moved in the other direction. The Hurricanes have more talent than Virginia, but have lost so many close games this year. The Cavaliers, meanwhile, are playing some of their best basketball of the year.
Pick: Virginia

#5 Boston College vs. #12 Wake Forest (2:30 p.m.) - Here's an eye-opening stat for you: Wake Forest has only played in two conference games in which they have not lost by double digits. Last year they were in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They just played up in Boston and lost by a significant margin, and I don't see anything changing in this one.
Pick: BC

#7 Maryland vs. #10 NC State (7:00 p.m.) - It seems like once the Terps lost any hope of making the NCAA Tournament, the air was let out of the balloon. They have lost their last two games by double digits to Miami and Virginia. NC State looked very uninspired in their last two games against Virginia and Florida State. This game could be ugly.
Pick: Maryland

#6 Virginia Tech vs. #11 Georgia Tech (9:30 p.m.) - This is really the only Thursday game that affects anyone's NCAA possibilities. The Hokies have to find a way to play much more inspired ball than they did in the last two games. Georgia Tech has been playing out the string the last month, but has won its last two games and gets Brian Oliver back. Regardless, Virginia Tech is the better team and must win this game.
Pick: Virginia Tech