ACC Roundup - Big Game in Charlottesville

There’s been a lot of talk about the Big 12 being the best conference this year and truth is it changes from year to year. But the Big 12 has had the same champion for years now as Kansas keeps winning. That might change this year but that’s inconceivable in the ACC, even with Duke and UNC ruling the roost for decades now.

In the ACC, that’s just not going to happen. Since 2010, five schools have won the regular season and six have won the ACC Tournament.

It’s more than that though. BC beat Duke this year but almost beat UNC in a nine-win season.

And in this conference, everyone knows they can beat everyone else (except maybe Louisville beating Virginia). Duke for instance has had trouble recently with Miami, FSU, Virginia Tech, NC State and of course BC.

So that said, some of this weekend’s games look really compelling. Let’s check out Saturday’s games.

Louisville, fairy fragile post-Pitino, goes to Clemson where the Tigers love to punish their supposed betters. Virginia Tech, suddenly struggling, gets a visit from Pitt. Notre Dame takes on an improving Syracuse without Bonzi Colson and Matt Farrell. Wake Forest visits BC with its all-NC backcourt that loves to beat Tobacco Road teams. Georgia Tech steps out of conference for a match-up with Yale.

Perhaps most interestingly, UNC visits surging Virginia.

Watching the ‘Hoos play is always fascinating. It’s really rare that they’re blown out or even beaten decisively. What’s really great though is watching opponents deal with that defense.

No one enjoys it. We’ve talked recently about The Look, the way you see coaches and players knowing they can’t do anything to stop what Virginia is doing to them. It’s both sad and very funny.

After a thorough hammering by Michigan State, UNC was gobsmacked at home by Wofford, nearly beaten at home by Wake Forest and did lose to FSU on the road. This is a big game for the Heels and they won’t be favored or at least shouldn’t be.

And on Sunday, Miami, not playing well, gets a visit from FSU, which is playing very well indeed.

• A whole new DJ Harvey finds fit, flow as starter for Notre Dame
• Clemson basketball looking to continue hot start Saturday against Louisville
• Georgia Tech Basketball Closes Non-Conference Slate vs. Yale
• Roy Williams: Referee spurning UNC guard Joel Berry ‘looks bad’
• 5 things to watch for in Wake Forest-Boston College
• Four things to know ahead of Carolina’s visit to Virginia
• Ratcliffe: UVa-UNC matchup a clash of styles and tempos
• UVa bench players hope to build on strong performance
• Britt alum Williams making most of NBA stint