The schedule for ACC basketball weekend is stacked with great potential of games. Almost every team is in action, with the exception of Virginia Tech. Here's what the lineup look like:
This screenshot is courtesy of http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/schedule/_/date/20170204/group/2
Each game, with the exception of #6 Louisville vs Boston College, has great potential to be tightly contested. Because this is ACC basketball, you can't really count any team out. Boston College could upset Louisville for all we know! However, I feel like that is the most unlikely upset. Here's what to look for in each game this weekend:
#9 Virginia (17-4, 7-2) vs Syracuse (14-9, 6-4)
Virginia vs Syracuse should be a solid game. Syracuse is coming off perhaps their most impressive game of the season, coming back from 18 down @ NC State and winning in overtime. Shooting Guard John Gillon had the game of his life, scoring a career-high 43 points. His 43 points were the most points scored by a Syracuse player since Gerry McNamara in 2004 (43 points as well). Could the Orangemen's last win be the start of a winning streak?
The last time these two teams faced was last March in the Elite 8. Syracuse, a team most people felt should not have made the tournament, stunned the #1 seed Cavaliers and reached the Final Four. Both teams have most of their players from a season ago, with the exception of Malcolm Brogdon for UVA and Michael Gbinjie and Trevor Cooney for Cuse. I am enthused for this matchup. Syracuse scores almost 10 more points per game than Virginia does. However, Virginia has THE of the best defense in the nation, allowing only 54.3 points per game. Both teams have a stellar backcourt, but Syracuse has a more efficient frontcourt specifically in the rebounding category. Syracuse has 136 more rebounds than Virginia does this season. With these factors in play for Syracuse, they are capable of pulling off this upset for their home crowd, but they are not Cavalier enough:
#9 Virginia 62
Syracuse 58
The Return of Coach K
This Saturday, #21 Duke will have Coach Mike Krzyzewski back on the sideline for the first time in seven games (recovering from back surgery). In those seven games, Duke won only 4. This Duke team has been unusual this season. Almost every college basketball analyst predicted the Blue Devils to be a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and win it all. Currently, they are on pace to receive a #3 or #4 seed and are not championship favorites anymore. They have arguably the best talent on paper, and perhaps they will start playing together better and more consistent now that Coach K is back.
The Blue Devils (17-5, 5-4) host the Pittsburgh Panthers (12-10, 1-8), who are last in the conference. The focus for Duke this game is to make sure Michael Young and Jamel Artis do not have big games scoring. The two are top scorers in the ACC. Despite Pittsburgh only losing to UNC by 2 points, I don't think this one will be close.
#21 Duke 77
Pittsburgh 62
#6 Louisville (18-4, 6-3) vs Boston College
(9-14, 2-8)
As I mentioned before, this game is probably the most unlikely upset of the day, but you never know. Boston College does have the home court advantage, which is huge in conference play. Plus Ky Bowman, a true freshman from the same county as I, has been balling out lately, averaging 19.5 points his last 4 games. Still, I do not see Louisville having problems this game:
#6 Louisville 80
Boston College 69
Miami (14-7, 4-5) vs NC State (14-9, 3-7)
I see a potential upset in this matchup. Despite NC State blowing an easy dub last game, I think they will win vs Miami this Saturday. The Wolfpack, led by true freshman Dennis Smith Jr, has one of the more efficient offenses in the ACC. They score 10 more points per game and tally about 4 more assists per game than Miami does. Miami has lost 3 of their last 5 games but defeated UNC in one of their 2 wins in that span. Additionally, they squandered NC State to start conference play. Which Miami team and NC State team will show up this Saturday?
NC State 73
Miami 71
Maverick Rowan redeems his "should have been" game winning jump shot on Wednesday, and hits a jumper at the buzzer to lift the Pack over Miami.
Georgia Tech (13-9, 5-5) vs Wake Forrest
(13-9, 4-6)
A matchup between two average teams. Some may say Georgia Tech is not just an average ACC team because they have fought for wins against UNC, Florida State, and Notre Dame. However, the Yellow Jackets were exterminated by Duke and Louisville, and have smaller losses to teams such as Clemson and Virginia Tech. Overall, this Yellow Jackets team is scrappy and has shown they can play with the elite. Wake Forrest has only defeated Miami, NC State, and Boston College twice, for all their ACC wins. Not nearly as impressive. Take into consideration they are the home team, which could play an impactful role into the outcome of this game. This game may be the ACC game all weekend.
Georgia Tech 69
Wake 68
Water Crisis Flows Into Chapel Hill
Tomorrow's prime-time game between #20 Notre Dame (17-6, 6-4) and #12 UNC (20-4, 8-2) may be postponed or relocated due to the fact of the city of Chapel Hill is running into a water issue. Reports have stated the water is not safe to use. People should turn to water bottles for hydration or hygiene. This was said to last at least 24 hours, which puts the Notre Dame-UNC game in serious jeopardy of being played.
In case if the game is still to be played, I'll go ahead and leave my comments. This is a matchup of two powerhouse teams in the ACC. The argument can be supported for one to state these two teams are the best of the ACC. UNC is probably the best all around team in the ACC. The Tar Heels are at the top of the ACC in the categories of rebounds per game, assists per game, and points per game. Plus, they have size, unlike Notre Dame, who turns to Bonzie Colson for most of the team's rebounding. Notre Dame has some solid shooters that have led to their team's success this season. Bonzie Colson is one of the conference's top big men, averaging a double-double (15.6 PPG and 10.6 RPG). Does Notre Dame have enough weapons to drown UNC?
They do, but they will fall just short:
#12 UNC 82
#20 Notre Dame 76
Clemson vs #15 Florida State
This is usually a solid matchup between the two schools in football. Speaking of football, THE ONLY GAME THAT SHOULD BE PLAYED ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IS THE SUPER BOWL. Luckily this game will provide some entertainment leading up to the Super Bowl. Additionally, this game is at 12:30, so the teams will be able to watch the Super Bowl.
Florida State has looked shaky in some of their previous games. Despite that, they should not have too much of a problem vs Clemson. Jaron Blossomgame vs Dwayne Bacon will be an interesting matchup. Both are the top scorers for their teams and are top players in the ACC.
#15 Florida State 72
Clemson 63
Sources:
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/conferences/standings/_/id/2/acc-conference
http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/conferences/statistics/_/id/2/acc-conference
http://www.orangehoops.org/Syracuse30points.htm
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