A surprising final week of the ACC season sets up a fascinating tournament with fascinating subplots that include a tougher road for North Carolina than UNC fans might expect.
The Tar Heels won the regular-season title and open Friday at 9 p.m. against the Virginia-Miami winner. Carolina should prevail there but would likely face Clemson, which snatched the No. 4 seed, in the semifinal on Saturday. The Tigers played a tough game at UNC this season, falling by 10 when they could not hit a shot late, and lost to Carolina by only two at home.
The Tigers, under rookie coach Brad Brownell, are afraid of no one, as they showed at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Brownell would endear himself to Tiger fans forever if he pulls off an upset Saturday, and it certainly is possible.
Virginia Tech is the biggest loser of the week after upsetting Duke last Saturday. The Hokies followed that with a 15-point loss to Boston College at home and a nine-point loss at Clemson. Those two defeats pushed Tech to sixth in the league, which is a really nasty draw. They do not get a bye and play two straight 9 p.m. games – which really usually start at 9:30 – before the semifinal. The Hokies would likely draw Duke in the semifinals, and that is a tough assignment after two straight late games.
N.C. State, meanwhile, appears ready to limp off the stage with a losing record. The loss to Florida State dropped State to 15-15 overall and a disappointing 5-11 in ACC play. Lowe has a 25-55 record in five ACC seasons, and that will not be enough to get him a return ticket for next year.
2011 ACC Tournament Schedule
First Round – Thursday, March 10
Noon: #8 Virginia vs. #9 Miami
2:00: #5 Boston College vs. #12 Wake Forest
7:00: #7 Maryland vs. #10 NC State
9:00: #6 Virginia Tech vs. #11 Georgia Tech
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 11
Noon: #1 North Carolina vs. 8/9 winner
2:00: #4 Clemson vs. 5/12 winner
7:00: #2 Duke vs. 7/10 winner
9:00: #3 Florida State vs. 6/11 winner
Semifinals – Saturday, March 12
1:00: Game 9 (game 5 & 6 winners)
3:00: Game 10 (game 7 & 8 winners)
Finals – Sunday, March 13
1:00: Game 11 (championship game)
Ironically, Duke may have an easier path to the title game than do the Tar Heels. Maryland and N.C. State are playing as poorly as anyone in the league. If Florida State gets by the Virginia Tech/Georgia Tech winner, they’ll face Duke without their best player Chris Singleton. That particularly hurts Florida State’s rebounding/defense.
Carolina, on the other hand, could face Clemson or Boston College – both those teams gave them fits. Those just wanting to watch a good game better hope BC doesn’t beat Clemson. Remember that 48-46 BC loss to Carolina – they’ll slow it down and try to win ugly.
If the basketball gods were in control, we’d get to see Carolina have achance to avenge that 20-point embarrassing loss to Georgia Tech.
Anyway, Carolina fans would rather beat Duke and win the ACC regular season than have an easier path to the ACC tournament finals.