The ACC Basketball Tournament has always proven to be a very unpredictable tournament. The winners and losers are often only separated by a couple of points, and the top of the conference can be upset by the very bottom on any given day. This makes for extreme drama, and tons of outstanding basketball over the four days of ACC Tournament week. Here are the match ups for day one, and the predictions for each of the contests:

Thursday, March 12

Game 1: No. 8 Virginia Tech vs. No. 9 Miami, noon

This game is going to be one of the most exciting of the day, as both teams are trying to impress the NCAA selection committee. The two teams will be fighting it out for the right to face number one seeded UNC in the second round, and both teams are capable opponents. Miami is coming in looking better than they have most of the year, and strong. The Hokies have struggled of late, but are just as likely to have a huge game as the Hurricanes. I expect that Miami will come out on top of this opening round slug fest.

Game 2: No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 12 Georgia Tech, 2:30 p.m.

This is likely to be the only game of the day that is not close, and the Tigers defense might just hold the Yellow Jackets scoreless for the game. All kidding aside, this is a very bad match up for Tech right now, and they will likely lose badly in this one. They lost both match ups in the regular season, and will face the same defensive match up problems as they did in those games. The Jackets will lose this one badly.

Game 3: No. 7 Maryland vs. No. 10 NC State, ESPN2, 7 p.m.

This game is a do or die match up in all probability for Maryland. They can not afford to lose to NC State and have any chance of getting an invite to the NCAA tournament. Still, the Terps did handle them earlier this season. Maryland is really in need of a couple wins in this ACC tournament if they want to get an at large bid. Of course, winning the whole thing would be the best scenario. NC State has played much better of late, and are fully capable of pulling one out from under the Terps. This will be close, but the Terps will pull it out.

Game 4: No. 6 Boston College vs. No. 11 Virginia, 9:30 p.m.

The Eagles are certainly an ACC team that has seen it’s ups and downs. While they have beaten the ACC’s upper echelon, they have lost to the lower echelon as well. This up and down style of play leaves them as real long shots to win the ACC tournament, and to beat this scrappy Virginia squad as well. The Cavs have really been improving, and if Boston College does not play well, they could certainly beat the Eagles. I expect that the Eagles will be up for this national stage game, and beat the Cavaliers soundly. What comes after that for the Eagles is uncertain at best.

Tagged with: acc basketball tournament, acc tournament, basketball, basketball tournament, boston college, georgia tech, ncaa, ncaa selection committee, ncaa tournament, virginia tech

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