ACC Roundup

With Sunday's games in the bag, the pairings for the tournament are set.

With 12 teams of course, it's no longer a straightforward structure.

On Thursday, eight teams play for the right to advance.

As we said earlier, a bunch of ACC teams have serious depth problems. Of the eight teams, Maryland, Wake, State Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech will have a tough time if they win their openers.

As usual, we waffle until the day of the tournament and we probably will again. Caveat stated, here are our first guesses:

We'll take Maryland over Wake Forest and State over BC - freshmenitis intensifies in the postseason.

Clemson-Virginia Tech should be very tight, and both teams are capable. However, the Hokies have more offensive weapons and they've been in tons of tight spots. We say they'll figure it out this time.

Georgia Tech is getting closer, but they're not there yet. Miami should prevail.

That sets up Friday action, with UNC taking out Maryland.

Virginia will almost certainly get State, and while they've limped to the end - very well coached considering their limitations - but State has a bid on the line. Their single meeting this season was a one-point win for Virginia.

If Virginia Tech wins, as we think is likely, that sets up a rematch with Duke. It's foolish to bet against Duke in the ACC Tournament lately, but don't discount Tech's Cameron disappointment.

Florida State-Miami is an interesting game, but don't kid yourselves: they're still steamed about that whipping they took in Coral Gables and they'll be fired up.

If things follow this - and they rarely go the way anyone expects - that would mean State and UNC on one side of the bracket and Duke and Florida State on the other.

For State, aside from everything else involved in playing UNC, that's their ticket to the Dance. They are not a deep team, as noted, but neither is UNC.

And as for Duke and Florida State, that could be a great, great game.

Conventional wisdom would put Duke and UNC in the Finals, and it'd be foolish to bet against either. Still, we could see a Finals with State and Florida State.

Speaking of Florida State, Bernard James, who lost his cool against UVa, sent a formal letter of apology to Tony Bennett for his actions in that game. He also sent copies to Virginia's president and ACC commissioner John Swofford.

Barry Jacobs takes a look at the regular season and, on balance, sees it as a blast. The final day was no exception.

Maryland took Virginia to overtime, with the 'Hoos winning 75-72. Mike Scott made his final argument for ACC Player Of The Year with a 35 point 11 rebound performance.

Mark Turgeon, it's fair to say, was enraged first by his team's lack of intensity - he started two walk-ons for the second half - and then by what he saw as some poor officiating, and he exploded, getting a T.

Florida State did their part, letting Clemson back in the game and within four points with just 30 seconds to go.

This was after having a 16 point lead.

It worked out okay for the 'Noles, but not a good indicator going into the post-season.

For the Wolfpack, better news: State caught Virginia Tech when they were probably emotionally flat and beat them by 12. Even better: Scott Wood broke out of his slump, hitting 15 for the Pack. They really need him to make a run.

No one stands to benefit from the ACC Tournament more than State: they have a fairly easy path to get to UNC. Virginia won't be a walk in the park, but remember that UVa had a healthy Joe Harris and Malcolm Brogdon when they played last time. We admire their courage, but this is a team hanging on by its fingernails.

We should say Miami has as much to gain as does State, but that Florida State game won't be easy, not after what happened at Miami. FSU is going to be hot.

Virginia Tech did get a bit of good news: Erick Green says he'll be back.

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