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ACC Roundup

With Duke's win over Virginia Tech, things are quiet until Saturday, when the big game is going to be State at UNC.

No Games Until Saturday
School Conf. Pct. Overall Pct.
Miami 13-0 1.000 22-3 .880
Duke 10-3 .769 23-3 .885
NC State 8-5 .615 19-7 .731
North Carolina 8-5 .615 18-8 .692
Virginia 8-5 .615 18-8 .692
Maryland 6-7 .462 18-8 .692
Florida State 6-7 .462 14-12 .538
Clemson 5-8 .385 13-12 .520
Georgia Tech 4-9 .308 14-11 .560
Boston College 4-9 .308 12-14 .462
Wake Forest 4-9 .308 11-14 .440
Virginia Tech 2-11 .154 11-15 .423

Consider how much things have changed: the game in Raleigh was treated as a confirmation of State's arrival. And sure enough, the Pack thrashed UNC, building a lead of as much as 23 in the first half. The final score of 91-83 reflects UNC's improved play in the second half, but doesn't take away from State's dominance in January.

And now? Anyone willing to guarantee a victory for the Pack on Saturday?

Not us. Carolina is playing much better and State isn't as good as they were.

And the matchups are intriguing: James Michael McAdoo vs. Richard Howell. PJ Hairston vs. Scott Wood. Reggie Bullock vs. CJ Leslie. Dexter Strickland vs. TJ Warren. Marcus Paige vs. Lorenzo Brown.

On paper, you'd have to give the edge to State: Brown or Warren should be able to bully Paige, who is small and relatively weak and he's not fast enough to overcome that problem.

But as we say, UNC is getting better and it's not clear that State is.

The other games are somewhat less interesting at first glance: Clemson at Maryland (Terps have to win or they're in big bubble trouble) and Miami at Wake Forest (an upset seems unlikely) may or may not be significant and they could each be deadly boring.

But naturally, time will tell.