If you’ve been following along (and if you haven’t, wtf), you saw our tourney seeding breakdown (part I and part II) the other day. We also have a nice little history -- well, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, anyway -- of attempting to predict the ACC Tournament brackets as well, with little to no success. Undeterred, however, we’re giving it another shot this year, starting in our Part I, which covers the opening day/night.
Without further ado …
FIRST ROUND, MARCH 10
Game 1, Noon: #8 Virginia vs. #9 Miami
A nine-seed over an eight isn’t really an upset in the ACC Tournament, but I do see the ‘Canes outlasting the Cavaliers in this one. Sure, UVa is coming in on something of a hot streak, but how long can they really count on busted-leg, walk-on-ish Will Sherrill to drain triples and the four-guard offense to flourish in a tourney setting? Expect Miami to go inside early and often to Reggie Johnson to get Virginia’s lone inside presence, Assane Sene, in foul trouble.
That will open up plenty of opportunities for Malcolm Grant & Co. to take advantage of a Wahoos defense that employs pressure strategies around Sene’s shot-blocking at the rim.
The Hurricanes prevail in a victory that will be underrated in its importance for coach Frank Haith’s future in Coral Gables. Virginia coach Tony Bennett and Farrahkhan’s father, Louis, commiserate by undertaking a karaoke duet at a downtown G’boro dive bar.
Game 2, 2 p.m.: #5 Boston College vs. #12 Wake Forest
I’ll reiterate that I’ve never seen an ACC team as bad as the Deacs this year, so this one will be pretty quick. Reggie Jackson, Joe Trapani and B.J. Raji have all the focus and discipline that Wake doesn’t in this matchup of first-year head coaches.
Perhaps the lone bright spot for the Demon Deacons has been All-Rookie standout Travis McKie, but he has nowhere near enough help to offset Boston College’s experienced, veteran crew.
Throw in the fact that the Eagles are a bubble team in need of a strong showing in Greensboro and this is as no-brainer a pick as I can recall in ACC Tournament bracketology: BC rolls in front of about 900 fans or so. Wake athletics director Ron Wellman and football coach Jim Grobe share a hearty chuckle in a quiet corner in the rafters.
Game 3, 7 p.m.: #7 Maryland vs. #10 NC State
Sidney Lowe has made (part of) his coaching reputation on the seeingly annual runs that his Wolfpack makes at the ACC Tournament. He’s led State to the verge of a breakout postseason triumph a couple of times in his tenure, but there is no way to spin the fact that he has completely lost this version of the Pack. Right now, NC State’s a bad mix of veterans with glaring holes in their games, youngsters who make mind-numbing mistakes and gritty types who can’t overcome a lack of athleticism.
Gary Williams has owned State, and with Jordan Williams dominating a limping and weary Tracy Smith on the interior and Terrell Stoglin showing who is the best freshman guard in the conference this year, that won’t change in this one.
The Sidney Lowe Era ends not with a bang, but a whimper, as there is nothing to indicate that State has the intestinal fortitude or respect for their coach to be able to replicate the tourney magic of previous seasons. But at least C.J. Leslie will memorialize the experience in a poem after another 3-for-14, five-turnover “effort.” Terps by 14.
Game 4, 9 p.m.: #6 Virginia Tech vs. #11 Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets have their own dead man walking in coach Paul Hewitt, and one would think that with the Hokies in desperate need of a couple of victories in Greensboro, Virginia Tech should roll. However, with Iman Shumpert suiting up for GT, he always gives the Jackets a chance to pull a big upset—depending on which Glenn Rice Jr. shows up for GTech.
Seniors Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen don’t want to let their final shot at the Big Dance slip through their fingers, so this could be a surprisingly intense game, even though few will be watching due to the late hour and the non-North Carolina matchup.
In a contest that’s likely to be much closer than anticipated, VT finds a way to pull through for Stanley Tucci’s doppleganger, coach Seth Greenberg. Hewitt is left to sigh his way through the Greensboro night, cursing the name of Jarrett Jack.
Point your clicky thing here for Part II (the quarterfinals) ...
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