March Madness Championship Week ACC Tournament Bracketology Guide

March Madness is one of the most exciting sporting events of the year, where people from all over the country fill out their brackets in hopes of winning the local office pool. You'll find your so-called experts (like myself) who make their choices based on strength of schedules, year long RPI rankings, road and home trends, against the spreads, and during tournament time; location location location. Then someone comes along that doesn't like sports, but likes competition of beating others by picking the teams with the cool mascots, or the common color picker that ends up coming away the winner.

Which is great and why March Madness is so much fun! However, we aren't quite to that point yet because there are still many teams that will have their fates decided in between March 10th thru the final game on March 16th before Selection Sunday takes place at 6pm eastern time. Now is the last chance for those teams that have suffered dismay during the regular season thanks to injuries, coaching changes and scandals to show they belong in the field of 65.

Bubbles will burst, young men will cry, and collegiate careers will be over in the blink of an eye. Taking some of us back to the glory days and leaving some friends and family wondering why March Madness holds such a special place in our hearts. Ah to be kid again, and even though those days are long gone for some, they are just beginning for others in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

ACC

March 13th-16th (Charlotte, North Carolina)

First Round

#8 Wake Forest (73) vs. #9 Florida State (67)- The Demon Deacons swept the Seminoles during the regular season and in convincing fashion for the most part. Usually this would be where Florida State wouldn't lose for a third time in one season to Wake Forest, but being played in North Carolina Wake has all the benefits of a home court advantage. They also need a strong run to show they belong in the field of 65, so expect them to pull this one out.

#5 Miami-Fl (72) vs. #12 N.C. State(79)- The Wolfpack completely disappeared the last 8 games of the year except for the first half of the Duke game where they gave up an 8 point lead with 4 minutes to go in the game. Miami has lost only 2 games in their last 8, beating Duke, Virginia Tech, and Maryland. However, the Hurricanes haven't won against any North Carolina team in their conference, and the Wolfpack may be the upset team of the ACC tourney.

#7 Georgia Tech (70) vs. #10 Virginia(80)- The Cavaliers are probably the most up and down team in the ACC with a win one lose one attitude for the last five games. The domination of Maryland on March 9th was impressive, but they are 5-9 in the second half of the season with two close games against the Yellow Jackets in which they won both.

#6 Maryland(77)vs. #11 Boston College (64)- 3-14 in their last 17 games the Eagles show no life whatsoever losing their last six. The teams split during the season both winning on the road, so this game may be interesting. Maryland is playing for their bubble lives and getting a cupcake like B.C. may be just what the doctor ordered to give them confidence to take this tournament.

Second Round

#1 North Carolina (99) vs. #8 Wake Forest (80)- Not much to say about this game, except that this tournament will be the Tarheels to lose. The Deacons may play strong in the first half, but the no rest will be a partial factor to their loss. The remaining factor is UNC is just too good and after Wake beat Duke, UNC handled them quite easily winning by 16.

#4 Virginia Tech (69) vs. #12 N.C. State (71)- The Hokies lost a heartbreaker to Clemson on Sunday and are now needing to go deep in the ACC tournament to have a chance at making the Big Dance. If they were playing any of the lower tier teams other than the Wolfpack they would be through with the snap of the fingers. However, N.C. State already beat the Hokies by 10 earlier in the season @ home and after their loss on Sunday knowing how they are going to come out playing is too hard to call.

#2 Duke (90) vs. #10 Virginia (77)- Duke will be well rested for this game and have destroyed the Cavaliers in both meetings this year by double digits on each occasion. Don't expect anything different here, especially since the Blue Devils need to win the ACC tournament in order to have a shot at a #1 seed. Of course they need help from the other top teams and UNC will probably get a #1 if they make the finals of this tourney anyways. However, Duke doesn't know that and will want to stay close to home when the field of 65 is announced.

#3 Clemson (74) vs. #6 Maryland (78)- It will be interesting to see how Clemson guard Cliff Hammonds plays with his wrist once this game rolls around. The game against Virginia Tech on Sunday may not give it enough time to heal properly and could be stiff when they take the court. It will definitely be a close game, but the Terrapins will sneak one by the Tigers while they're licking their wounds. Then again they did get lucky at home this past weekend, maybe it will build there confidence. I think they'll fall flat on their faces in the first half, and will take too much work to play catch up.

Semifinals

#1 North Carolina (86) vs. #5 N.C. State (70)- I'll keep this short. The Tarheels beat the Wolfpack by 31 and 14 this year. They really don't have the team make-up to contend with UNC.

#2 Duke (77) vs. #3 Maryland (66)- Almost pulled the trigger on the upset here, but the whole three days in a row who knows whats going to happen. Duke has to win this game to stay in contention for a #1 seed. They got lucky at the beginning of the month, don't expect the Blue Devils to be taking them so lightly this time around. Plus, Maryland will solidify a berth into the Big Dance getting to the semi-finals of the ACC tournament.

Finals

#1 North Carolina (86) vs. #2 Duke (89)- Definitely one of the top 2 matchups in all of college basketball, these two will butt heads for the third time this season. Splitting the first two meetings it and playing this past weekend these two will be fresh in our minds when this game comes around. There is much more at stake for Duke as they try and grab a #1 seed in the overall March Madness tournament, while at this point even a loss should leave UNC with a #1 in the field of 65. Duke will need some help from other teams, but a win here is crucial.

My ACC Teams In The Field of 65:

#1 UNC
#1 Duke
#7 Clemson
#8 Miami
#13 Maryland