With the start of conference tournaments this week, March Madness is officially in full effect and the new-look ACC is sure to entertain with this week’s games.
Where: Greensboro, NC
When: March 12-16
TV: First round (March 12) on ESPN2, second round (March 13) on ESPN, quarterfinals (March 14) on ESPN/ESPN2, semifinals and championship game on ESPN. The entire tournament will also be shown locally and online via the ACC Network.
Most Exciting Match-Up:
In their first match-up Duke and Syracuse treated us to one of the season’s best games and in their second bout one of the most dramatic – who knows what these two would have in store for us in they meet up in the semifinals on Saturday. Old ACC vs New ACC, Hall of Fame Coach vs Hall of Fame Coach, Zone Defensive vs Man Defense, Ennis vs Parker – this game would have all the makings of a triple overtime thriller.
Most Intriguing Match-Up:
Virginia had the luxury of only having to play the conference’s toughest teams once. Never the less, with a 16-2 ACC record the Cavaliers earned their number one seeding, but this tournament is where they can earn their respect. They handedly beat the Tar Heels in their January meeting, but this is not the same UNC team they’d potentially meet in the semifinals. North Carolina won twelve in a row before losing their regular season finale at Cameron Indoor and with great play of Marcus Paige and improved play of James McAdoo, UVA’s Joe Harris, Malcolm Brogdon and teammates will have to do more in round two. The new and improved UNC in Greensboro against the conference’s best UVA? What’s not intriguing about that?
Best Conference Championship Scenario:
No brainer. North Carolina and Duke in a battle royale for the conference championship. Who wouldn’t want to see the best rivalry in college hoops for a third time at a neutral site? There would be no favorite in this one. It would just come down to which team wants it more and those are always the best games.
Sleeper Team:
North Carolina State is the quintessential sleeper. They’re a sneaky good team that played close games against some of the conference elite, but just couldn’t get a win. They have the ACC”s player of the year in T.J. Warren and are playing for a chance to dance. A talented team with nothing to lose is usually the most dangerous – especially in March.
I’ll be in Greensboro tomorrow covering all things ACC tournament. Follow me
@VashtiHurt for live updates all week.