In part one, we took a look at the first round and quarterfinals matchups. I’m always a bit leery to see so many favorites winning their way on through, but it is what it is, and brackets are usually best filled out on your gut instinct.
That being said, here’s how I see the semifinals and finals playing out …
SEMIFINALS, MARCH 13
Game 9, 1:30 p.m.: #1 Duke vs. #4 Virginia Tech
For the first time in a long time, the Devils have enough bodies to throw at the Hokies on the interior to offset Jeff Allen. Brian “Frankenstein” Zoubek is actually playing fairly well (though analysts are going a bit overboard in describing his game), and the Blue Devils have the backcourt to really make Malcolm Delaney work hard on both ends of the floor. Chasing Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith will take a bit away from Delaney’s offensive game, and he isn’t likely to get the bailout calls he gets against every other team against the Dookies.
Winner: #1 Duke.
I could see coach Seth “Don’t Call Me Stanley Tucci” Greenberg getting T’d up in this one, but it’s not going to matter. The feisty Hokies fade away in the second half, but Virginia Tech can take some solace in finally advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Duke and Coach K—who seems to putting a lot of energy and focus into this team, leading one to wonder whether he sees it as his last, best chance to do something great—move on to the championship game.
Game 10, 3:30 p.m.: #2 Maryland vs. #3 Florida State
Though he can’t wait to try to stick it to Coach K again, Gary Williams knows he can’t overlook FSU. The Terps have a decided coaching advantage over Leonard Hamilton and the ‘Noles, but Florida State plays the type of defense that can overcome a lack of offensive firepower and bench personnel. However, there is only one difference-maker in this game, and unfortunately for FSU, he don’t be wearin’ garnet and gold.
Winner: #2 Maryland.
I just don’t see General Grievis being denied in this one. The ‘Noles do a good job of limiting breakout opportunities, so this could be a low-scoring war, but the Terrapins should advance on Vasquez’s will alone (*fill in your own Tyler “Will” Hansbrough joke here*). Overall, the Terps just have more talented players that understand their role and buy in than the Seminoles do.
FINALS, MARCH 14
Game 11, 1 p.m.: #1 Duke vs. #2 Maryland
I’ll be the first to admit that this doesn’t happen very often: the best two teams squaring off in the ACC Tournament finale. But during a campaign where the haves and the have-nots are so clearly delineated in the league, it won’t exactly be shocking. The two squads have seemingly been destined to meet for all the marbles for a month now, and everyone finally gets what they want here. In their matchup near the end of the regular season, Maryland got a few very strange calls to help sway the contest in their favor, but the iffy officiating is going to be all in the Devils’ favor in this one.
Winner: #1 Duke.
The Williams-K subplot will be hilarious to watch as usual, but the Terrapins’ Meximelt won’t be able to do enough to overcome Duke’s “Creepy Three” of Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith all by himself. On the plus side, College Park authorities won’t have to worry about the in-breds rioting over a college basketball game this time. Never has a fanbase deserved to lose more than the Maryland morons … it takes a lot to be compelled to cheer for the Dookies, but the Re-Terps crowd certainly finds a way to make it happen. And as a bonus, the rest of the league gets to finally see the merciful end of the ACC career of everyone’s most hated 34-year-old Venezuelan, General Grievis Vasquez.
So with a mighty shrug o’ the shoulders, that’s how I see it. Giddyup.
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