2010 ACC Tournament Preview

The ACC Tournament is one of the most anticipated conference tournaments in college basketball. However, it has been a down season for the ACC. Only Duke is considered a true national title contender, and considering their recent NCAA Tournament history that thought is shaky at best. Only five teams truly have a chance to be left standing as champions of the ACC come Sunday. My favorite team, North Carolina, has zero chance, but that isn't going to stop me from talking about them.

#1 Duke (26-5, 13-3)

Ugh, what an awful ACC season it has been for me as a fan. Carolina was absolutely dreadful, and the two teams I hate most finished at the top of the ACC standings. The Blue Devils get most of their scoring from three players, G Jon Scheyer, G Nolan Smith, and F Kyle Singler. Where they have been much improved this season is rebounding. Singler averaged 6.8 rebounds per game, while C Brian Zoubek finally discovered after three and a half years that he was taller than almost everyone else. If Duke is hitting their shots at a 44% rate like they averaged this season they will easily take another ACC Tournament championship.

#2 Maryland (23-7, 13-3)

After a somewhat slow start to the season Maryland has been on a tear for the past two months. Led by ACC Player of the Year Greivis Vasquez the Twerps finished the ACC season undefeated at home and have won seven in a row. Maryland has a very strong starting five that includes F Landon Milbourne (12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), G Eric Hayes (11.0 ppg, 3.9 apg), G Sean Mosley (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), and freshman stud Jordan Williams (9.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg). Maryland doesn't have a ton of depth, which is their biggest weakness.

#3 Florida State (22-8, 10-6)

The Seminoles surprised a lot of people by finishing third in conference. Last year's success was largely fueled by superstar Toney Douglas. This year it has been a complete team effort. Their leading scorer, C Solomon Alabi only averages 11.6 ppg. F Chris Singleton gives the Seminoles a little bit of everything. He scored 10.4 ppg, had 2.2 apg, 7.2 rpg, 1.5 blocks per game, and 2.3 steals per game. Unlike Maryland, depth is a strength for the Seminoles. Florida State also plays tremendous defense, holding opponents to 50 points or less 7 times this season.

#4 Virginia Tech (23-7, 10-6)

The Hokies aren't quite as good as their 23-7 record would indicate. They played one of the worst non-conference schedules in the country and despite their impressive record, were considered a bubble team before winning at Georgia Tech last Saturday. What can't be debated is how good their back court is. G Malcolm Delaney had a terrific season, averaging 20.0 ppg, along with 4.2 apg. His fellow G Dorenzo Hudson is no slouch either, averaging 14.4 ppg. F Jeff Allen can score and collects the boards for the Hokies, although his numbers are down from last season.

#6 Clemson (21-9, 9-7)

No Wake Forest, as I think they blow, mainly evidenced by the fact they couldn't beat the sorry Tar Heels at home. The Tigers are my sleeper team for the ACC Tournament. They have a pretty favorable draw, as they would meet Florida State in the Quarter-Finals, a team they already have defeated twice this season. The Tigers best player is senior F Trevor Booker. The Tigers can go 10 deep and are a very effective offensive team, averaging 73.8 points per game. They are a very good passing team, as Booker, G Demontez Stitt, G Andre Young, and G Tanner Smith all are good at finding the open teammate. The Tigers have always been classic underachievers, so I am taking a risk putting my faith in them, but what fun would it be to pick all chalk?

#10 North Carolina (16-15, 5-11)

Just a complete nightmare of a season for the defending NCAA Champions. With the Tar Heels losing so much I didn't expect another championship, but I certainly thought they could be at least a 6 or 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The season even started decent enough with wins over Ohio State and Michigan State. Then they suffered a loss to Charleston and it was all downhill from there. The Heels had no chemistry, no leader, and apparently no coach, as Roy Williams had no answers. That all being said, The Heels are capable of beating a vastly overrated Georgia Tech team in the First Round. People keep making excuse after excuse for the Yellow Jackets, but the fact of the matter is, they aren't very good. I think the Heels can get an inspired performance from senior Deon Thompson, and hell maybe even Larry Drew II can pretend to be a competent point guard. Reality will hit the Heels when they play Maryland in the Quarter-Finals. People keep talking NIT but at 16-16 or even 17-16 I would be shocked if the Heels qualify.

Below you will find my prediction for Thursday's First Round games and then my predictions for the games I think will happen the rest of the way.

First Round

#8 Boston College over #9 Virginia
#12 Miami over #5 Wake Forest
#10 North Carolina over #7 Georgia Tech
#6 Clemson over #11 North Carolina State

Quarter-Finals

#1 Duke over #8 Boston College
#4 Virginia Tech over #12 Miami
#2 Maryland over #10 North Carolina
#6 Clemson over #3 Florida State

Semi-Finals

#1 Duke over #4 Virginia Tech
#6 Clemson over #2 Maryland

Finals

#1 Duke over #6 Clemson

Duke has mostly dominated the ACC Tournament for the last decade, and will continue that string this year. As stated above I like Clemson to make a surprise run, reaching the Championship game. I expect them to get blown out by Duke in the Finals and the Blue Devils will secure a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Ugh.