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ACC Roundup - Big Saturday

Big games for sure but UNC-Kentucky is the biggest.

By JD King

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NCAA Basketball: Davidson at North Carolina
Is Joel Berry II (right) the key for UNC against Kentucky?
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

In Friday’s ACC action, Miami knocked off FAU 76-56. Davon Reed had 21 to help the ‘Canes to the victory. Bruce Brown had 14 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals. Keep in mind he’s a freshman.

FAU did have a notable upset of Ohio State, but the Buckeyes are not setting the world on fire lately. It’s a good win but not a freak showing.

Miami got a decent win. It was the kind of game you schedule after exams that you should win, but the ‘Canes played hard and had some continuity.

On Saturday there are some really good games, much better than we often see at this time of year: Wake-Xavier in the Skip Prosser Tournament, #21 Notre Dame vs. #15 Purdue, Georgetown vs. Syracuse and #7 UNC vs. #6 Kentucky.

That’s obviously the headliner. UNC and Kentucky have put on some great games over the years, not least of all the classic in 2012 where Anthony Davis snuffed Jon Henson in the closing seconds.

The big question is what UNC will get out of Joel Berry - He’s widely expected to play (there are contradictory stories) and obviously he makes that team go.

As a bonus, UCLA plays in the other game in the game which gives us all a chance to see freshman phenoms Lonzo Ball and TJ Leaf.

Notre Dame faces a huge Purdue team featuring Isaac Hass, who originally committed to Jeff Bzdelik and Wake Forest.

Caleb Swanigan is back too - the soph is 6-9 and 250.

Notre Dame is really good and brilliantly coached but this is a real challenge.

By the way, Spike Albrecht is there now too.

Neither Georgetown nor Syracuse is at its peak but that’s a huge rivalry that was forsaken when the old Big East went away. It should be a great game.

Wake Forest gets another chance to step up a notch when it faces Xavier. Prosser coached both schools and is beloved at both. It’s always a special game.

The others around the ACC? Conceivably Rice could upset Pitt and games between Kentucky teams can get intense. But don’t hold your breath.

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