by Nick Roby
Well, it is that time of year again! Tournament basketball is here, where tickets to the NCAAs are punched and seasons come to a conclusion. The 2022 ACC Tournament is about to kickoff on Tuesday, March 8th, and it should be another great edition. This year, the tournament is is Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center. Duke is the favorite as the #1 seed, but as we have seen, not even Coach K’s final home came at Cameroon is safe from the madness of March.
Starting on Tuesday, March 8th, we have 6 teams trying to extend their seasons and hoping they are the cinderella story of 2022. So without further ado, let’s talk about the 3 matchups:
#13 Boston College (11-19, 6-14) vs. #12 Pittsburgh (11-20, 6-14) – 2pm ACCN
Our first game of the tournament is between Boston College and Pittsburgh, both who finished with a 6-14 record in the ACC. Both these teams have had their fair struggles this year, hence them being a part of the First Round. Of course, you would rather have at least one bye, but these first matchups are who wants the game more and who can execute better. You could almost flip a coin with this game, which Vegas is almost saying by having Boston College as a 1.5 point favorite. Pittsburgh won the January 8th matchup at home 69-67, however it is anyone’s game. Watch out for Makai Ashton-Langford and if you are Pittsburgh, do not let the Eagles get hot from downtown. This will be a close one, but I have Boston College coming out on top and getting to face Wake Forest. Spread: BC -1.5, Nick’s Pick: Boston College
#15 NC State (11-20, 4-16) vs. #10 Clemson (16-15, 8-12) 4:30pm ACCN
In the 2nd matchup of the day, we have the #15 Wolfpack facing off against the #10 Tigers. Clemson is coming in on a hot streak won their last 4 games, while NC State is going the opposition direction, having lost their last last 4 games. Sophomore guard, Dereon Seabron is the clear #1 choice for the Pack on offense, scoring 17.3 PPG. He also just won Most Improved Player and was a 2nd Team All ACC selection. Even though he scored 27 points in the matchup with the Tigers earlier, NC State still lost 70-65 at home. With PJ Hall and Hunter Tyson back in the mix, it will be tough to stop the Tigers without a real big post presence (Manny Bates has been hurt for most of the year). Seabron will score, but the Tigers will pull this one out to have a rematch with Virginia Tech. Spread: Clemson -5.5, Nick’s Pick: Clemson
#14 Georgia Tech (12-19, 5-15) vs. #11 Louisville (12-18, 6-14) 7pm ACCN
In the final matchup of the day, we have Georgia Tech taking on Louisville. The Yellow Jackets are the defending tournament champions, but will have a tough road to try and make a run at a repeat. Louisville has had a tough year, having parted ways with former Head Coach Chris Mack and finishing lower than they are used to. Back in January, Louisville came out with the 67-64 win in Atlanta and they are only a 1.5 point favorite. This game will come down to the 50/50 balls and effort plays of who wants to keep their season going. I have Michael DeVoe for Georgia Tech (18.0 PPG, 23 points in the January 2nd matchup), taking over late in the game and helping his team win. The winner of this game will play #6 Virginia on Wednesday. Spread: GT -1.5, Nick’s Pick: Georgia Tech