The ACC Tournament, A Preview and Retrospective

The ACC Tournament was always the biggest statewide cultural event of my youth. In school on quarterfinal Friday, most teachers would bring TVs into the classroom and allow the class to watch the games while doing the assignments. In the classes that didn't do this, most kids would sneak a listen to the radio. On Semifinal Saturday, no matter where I was or what I was doing, I had the games on the radio. Same with Championship Sunday.

Now this event has been diluted. The ACC expansion has added games to the tournament, now including a full day's worth of games on Thursday. Also, there is just so much more available to do, not just for kids, but adults, too. I guess, as I get older, the past does get romanticized a bit.

Throughout my time at NC State, the basketball team was horrible. I mean, putrid, disgusting, abhorrent, you name it. In the 9-team ACC, the 8th and 9th place teams played on Thursday night in what was termed the Play-In game. In my first 4 years of college, NC State played and lost all four Thursdays. That fifth year, State won on Thursday and it was one of the best moments of my college career actually watching State play on Quarterfinal Friday.

So, for those of you who didn't grow up here, when you hear the locals talk endlessly about the ACC Tournament, remember that for most of us, it's not just a game, or a weekend, but a bit of our cultural and regional identity.

Now, onto the predictions....

Over at the Average Guy's Sports Blog, there is a very in-depth ACC Tourney Preview, go check it out.

Here are my predictions, take them for what they're worth...

Opening Round (The Les Robinson Invitational):

Afternoon Session:

Boston College (8) vs. Virginia (9)

The team that nobody wants against the team that nobody can figure out. BC has managed a respectable conference finish despite having a roster filled with players nobody on their own campus would recognize. Virginia started very strong in the ACC and fizzled late in the season. With Sylven Landesberg suspended, the talent edge should go to BC. I expect big games from Reggie Jackson (Mr. March?) and Joe Trapani. I also expect approximately 37 fans to attend. BC wins 67-58.

Wake Forest (5) vs. Miami (12)

Wake has the definite talent edge. Ish Smith and Al-Farouq Aminu were both on the All-ACC second team. Wake has height to spare and Miami's best post player (Dwayne Collins) is likely out for the tournament. So this has all the marks of a blowout, right? Well, this Superman has his kryptonite. Wake absolutely cannot solve a zone defense. If the outside shot doesn't fall, then the offense bogs down completely. So Miami has a chance, but Wake is too good to blow it against the U, aren't they? Wake wins 73-61 in front of a great deal of their local fans.

Evening Session:

Georgia Tech (7) vs. North Carolina (10)

Welcome to the Les Robinson Invitational, Heel fans, I hope you enjoy your stay! Tech swept UNC, dominating the first half at Chapel Hill and holding on late and winning easily in Atlanta. UNC has a Hall of Fame coach and 7 McDonalds All Americans (even if a couple are injured), but they have been incredibly weak mentally and emotionally this year, both players and coaching staff. If the Heels show up ready to play, they could make a run. However, I think they've quit. GT with the sweep, 74-59. Tickets are plentiful and cheap from here on out.

Clempson (6) vs. NC State (11)

It wouldn't be the Les Robinson Invitational without my Wolfpack. The teams played once this year, with Clempson escaping late at the RBC Center. State has played better late in the year and it seems that Sidney Lowe has finally got his point across to the team in terms of the efficiency of the offensive sets and the effort on the defensive end of the court. Tracy Smith has been a consistent performer offensively all year, but Clempson is just not a good matchup for State. Clempson presses and State's guards tend to turn the ball over too much. If State can break the press, get the ball to Smith, and hit outside shots when available, they can win. But I don't think all 3 happen. The awe-inspiring power of Dennis Horner's flaming basketball tattoo just isn't enough. Clempson wins 67-64 and next year finally arrives for fans in Raleigh with the Harrow/Brown/Leslie or Cothron class.

Quarterfinal Friday:

This should be a state holiday in North Carolina. One of the greatest days of the year.

Afternoon Session:

Duke (1) vs. Boston College (8)

Duke has the better roster, better coach, and more motivation (potential number one NCAA seed). Duke ought to be a bit more at home in this ACC Tourney as there most likely won't be masses of UNC fans rooting against them at every turn. Duke rolls 84-61.

Virginia Tech (4) vs. Wake Forest (5)

This should be the most competitive game of the day. Malcolm Delaney and Dorenzo Hudson can flat out score for the Hokies. Hopefully, fans of both teams can make the atmosphere live up to the traditional ACC Tourney feel. An important key will be for Virginia Tech to keep Jeff Allen out of foul trouble and for Wake's L.D. Williams and Ish Smith to not only play tough defense against Delaney and Hudson, but to score some points of their own to relieve some of the pressure on Aminu. I think Wake wins in a nailbiter, 73-71.

Evening Session:

Maryland (2) vs. Georgia Tech (7)

The key to this game will be to see whether or not Maryland wears those grotesque yellow uniforms. Seriously, Maryland's backcourt of (General) Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes should dominate GT's guards. If Jordan Williams and Landon Milbourne can hold their own against Derrick Favors and Gani Lawal, then the Terps should win. Of course it took twin buzzer beaters for Maryland to beat GT last time. I'll say buzzer beating heroics are not needed.... yet. Terps 68-62.

Florida State (3) vs. Clempson (6)

Ah, the Bowden Bowl! Charlie Ward vs. Woody Dantzler! Chief Osceola vs. Howard's Rock! Oh, wait, this is basketball? This game is really an indictment of the ACC this year. FSU as a 3 seed shows how very weak the ACC is. Give them credit, though, FSU has won almost all of the games they were supposed to win, unlike many other ACC teams. Solomon Alabi is a good player, but not a great one. Heck, he's more Rodney Dobard than Douglas Edwards (look it up, they're both early '90s FSU post men). Can Leonard Hamilton eff up this free ice cream? Most likely, but it will not be in this game. FSU survives Trevor Booker and Clempson, 61-59

Semifinal Saturday:

Duke (1) vs. Wake Forest (5)

The NC private schools face off while their public brethren ponder the vagaries of the NIT. Next thing you'll tell me smoking as been banned in North Carolina restaurants... Anyway, I see this game being ugly and chippy, with at least three technical fouls called (I'm looking in your general direction, Chas McFarland). In a chippy game, generally, the more mentally tough team wins. Scheyer and Nolan Smith go for a combined 50 points and Wake misses enough outside shots and free throws to cost them the game. Duke wins 74-64.

Maryland (2) vs. Florida State (3)

Maryland swept FSU during the regular season by a total of 13 points. Expect another close game with Alabi and Singleton of FSU getting second shots and gatbage points to keep the game close. I think Vasquez' experience carries the day for Maryland in the second half. Terps win 70-68.

Championship Sunday:

Duke (1) vs. Maryland (2)

This sets up the dream matchup for the ACC, ESPN, and people who want to see the two best teams face off for the right to cut down the nets. The two teams split the season series, with Brian Zoubek having the game of his life in Duke's blowout win at home and Greivis Vasquez getting to mack on Erin Andrews after Maryland stunned Duke at College Park. The key for Maryland is keeping Duke from making the 4 or 6 point run into a 10 or 12 point run like they did in Durham. It will take a superhuman effort from Vasquez for Maryland to win. I think he has it in him, but Duke's depth proves to be too much for Maryland in the end. Duke wins 68-64. Your MVP will be Kyle Singler.

Of course, by making these predictions, I have ensured a Virginia Tech - UNC final or something of that sort. Have fun watching the hoops. Maybe Billy Packer and Mr. Cash will make a guest appearance.