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ACC Roundup - A Promising Saturday

Duke-Virginia is the headliner but it could be a fun day up and down the conference

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Boston College v Duke
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Zion Williamson #1, RJ Barrett #5, Tre Jones #3 and Marques Bolden #20 of the Duke Blue Devils look on during their game against the Boston College Eagles at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55.
Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

February is an amazing time in ACC basketball. Some teams start to excel unexpectedly, some become resigned and some are just desperate. And of course some just keep flying along.

On Saturday we get a bit of everything.

UNC has hit its stride in recent days and hosts Miami. Last time out, Miami decided it had had enough losing and took it out on Notre Dame.

That’ll be harder to do against UNC but not inconceivable. Miami would need some help from the Tar Heels though.

Virginia Tech is 18-4 but the impressive depth they started the season with is gone and the biggest loss is Justin Robinson.

Out with a foot injury, it’s not at all clear when he’ll be back and without him, the Hokies have a six-man rotation. They’re still 18-4 but may not be for long. Clemson at Clemson is never easy for anyone.

On the other hand, it’s a chance for Virginia Tech to establish a kind of toughness it has so far lacked.

Things don’t get any easier: between the 13th and the 18th they have three games, finishing with Virginia at home.

A gutty stand by the Hokies could redefine the program for years.

Syracuse is again flirting with the bubble while Boston College, well coached and capable, has struggled since Wynston Tabbs was injured.

NC State has had a bad stretch recently and Pitt has struggled since hitting ACC play. Mostly the Panthers have struggled inside but conveniently, NC State has a weak front court. If State doesn’t pick things up they could be in trouble here.

Louisville and Florida State should be a fun one. The Cardinals have exceeded expectations while the Seminoles floundered for a while after losing to Duke.

They seem to have found themselves again and as February drags on, depth has its advantages.

About this time of year we start to draw a line in the standings - well, two lines.

The first line is under the last team that could possibly make the NCAA Tournament. Right now that line is under NC State at 16-7 (4-6).

The NIT candidates right now would include Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Pitt and possibly Miami.

Wake Forest is going nowhere after it loses in the ACC Tournament.

SATURDAY'S ACC ACTION
TEAMS TIMES VIDEO
Miami @ UNC 12:00 ACCNE
Virginia Tech @ Clemson 12:00 ESPN2
Boston College @ Syracuse 2:00 ACCNE
NC State @ Pitt 2:00 ACCNE
Louisville @ Florida State 4:00 ESPN2
Duke @ Virginia 6:00 ESPN
No Friday Results

ACC Standings

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