Weekend Preview

A very interesting last couple days as the ACC season draws to a close.  The game of the week was definitely in Charlottesville, a very meaningful game between UVA and Florida State.  It looked like the Cavaliers were going to run away after Bernard James was ejected for kicking Joe Harris.  But Florida State crept back in it, made the plays down the stretch, and hit a huge shot with less than a second left to win.  That game might have thrown UVA squarely on the bubble.  If they had been able to hang on, I think they were definitely in the tournament.  But now they really don't have much wiggle room at all, and need to win at Maryland this weekend.

The other meaningful game was N.C. State protecting their home court against Miami.  That might have put a sting into the Hurricanes' chances at a bid, with no opportunity to get a good win in their last game against BC.  N.C. State, meanwhile, probably need to win at Virginia Tech Sunday to have a chance at a bid.

Here is the schedule for the all important last game of the regular season:

Saturday:

Wake Forest at Georgia Tech (Noon, ACC Network)
We get the worst game out of the way early.  This game between two cellar dwellars doesn't mean much other than who will be the 12 seed in the ACC Tournament.

Boston College at Miami (2:30 p.m., ACC Network)
BC got a fourth conference win on Wednesday, a pretty solid accomplishment considering their expectations.  They will be hard pressed to get a fifth win against Miami.  The Hurricanes have to be disappointed by their loss in Raleigh but need to bounceback here.

North Carolina at Duke (7:00 p.m., ESPN)
You may have heard about this game.  Ever since Austin Rivers hit the buzzer-beater, Tar Heel fans have been chomping at the bit to get back at their hated rivals.  Duke has played better on the road than at home, and should be the underdog in this game.  Just like last year, the ACC regular season title is on the line.

Sunday:

Clemson at Florida State (Noon, ESPN2)
Florida State had a very impressive performance in Charlottesville Thursday, and will be looking to wrap up the season with a payback win against Clemson.  The Tigers got to 8 conference wins, a great accomplishment after how they started the season.

Virginia at Maryland (2:00 p.m., ACC Network)
An absolutely huge game for Virginia.  They need to win against a fading Maryland team.  I'm not sure who will be able to stop Mike Scott, but if the Cavaliers let Terrell Stoglin get hot this one could get very interesting.

N.C. State at Virginia Tech (6:00 p.m., ESPNU)
A must win for N.C. State.  Nine conference wins could be enough to get them into the NCAA Tournament.  Virginia Tech continues to play well on the road but come up just short.  They will be motivated to play spoiler against the Wolfpack.

Final Thoughts:

There is a big jumble of possible ACC Tournament seedings.  Going through all the possible scenarios would take much too long.  These are the things we know though: the winner of the Duke/Carolina game will be the #1 seed.  The loser will be #2.  Florida State will be the #3 seed.  #4 through #7 will be some order of: Virginia, Miami, NC State and Clemson.  Maryland is definitely going to be the #8 seed.  And #9 through #12 will be some order of Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College and Georgia Tech.  Getting to that #4 seed will be the most important thing going for teams this weekend.