The final 8 teams are set! We have 4 more games on Thursday to determine who will move on to the Semifinals:
#9 Syracuse (16-16, 9-11) vs. #1 Duke (26-5, 16-4) 12pm ESPN
After just a dominant performance against Florida State, where they won 96-57, Syracuse gets rewarded with #1 seed Duke. Cole Swider had a standout performance for the Orange, scoring 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. However, a interesting note coming out of the game was the punch, that was or was not thrown by Buddy Boeheim. If ruled on, he could be suspended for the game with the Blue Devils. As of right now, he looks like he will play in the Quarterfinal matchup. Either way, I have Duke winning and covering the 14.5 point spread. They have a sour taste in their mouth after the loss at home against UNC. Banchero and Williams for Duke will be too much for Syracuse, who lost their big man Edwards to injury earlier in the year. Also a side note, if you have not heard this is Coach K’s final year coaching for Duke.
Spread: Duke -14.5, Nick’s Pick: Duke
#13 Boston College (13-19, 6-14) vs. #4 Miami (22-9, 14-6) 2:30pm ESPN2
The Boston College Eagles have been a big story so far in the tournament, as the underdog team that has made it to the Quarterfinals after starting in the First Round. They beat #5 seed Wake Forest in OT 82-77, and in doing so really puts Wake on the edge of if they will make the NCAA tournament. The Eagles have been led by the excellent play of the Langford brothers, and they will be key for them again in today’s matchup. However, this is where the bye and the rest for the top 4 teams comes into play. You have BC coming off back-to-back games with the last one being in OT; Miami is playing their first game. McGusty (17.5 PPG) and Wong (15.5 PPG) are great at hitting shots and as a team Miami averages 74.9 PPG. Miami just has too much offensive power and I don’t know how much energy is left in the tank for BC.
Spread: Miami -7.5, Nick’s Pick: Miami
#7 Virginia Tech (20-12, 11-9) vs. #2 Notre Dame (22-9, 15-5) 7pm ESPN2
Virginia Tech is coming off a thriller last night, as Darius Maddox hits the three as time expired to beat Clemson in OT 76-75. The win was also huge for the Hokies, as they are also on the bubble of making the NCAA tournament. Aluma scored a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds and Storm Murphy hit 5 threes. Another interesting piece of this game is that even though they are the lower seed, Virginia Tech won the January 15th matchup 79-73 at home. Notre Dame is led by star Freshman Blake Wesley (14.8 PPG) and veteran Dane Goodwin (14.0 PPG). The key for me is what will win out, Notre Dame’s ability to make shots (72.3 PPG) or VT’s ability to get stops (opponents scoring 61.7 PPG). Virginia Tech also has some strong post play that will be interesting to see how Notre Dame’s bigs handle over the course of 40 minutes. This should be a good one.
Spread: EVEN, Nick’s Pick: Virginia Tech
#6 Virginia (19-12, 12-8) vs. #3 North Carolina (23-8, 15-5) 9:30pm ESPN
In the final game of the night we have Virginia and North Carolina. Virginia just came off of a narrow 51-50 win over Louisville the night before. Jayden Gardner scored 17 points and a late bucket from Reece Beekman helped secure the win. UNC is coming off beating Duke in Coach K’s final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium 94-81. The Tar Heels are led by ACC 1st Team forward Armando Bacot (16.6 PPG, 12.5 REB) and star guard Caleb Love (15.7 PPG, 3.7 AST). The battle will be who wins out, UNC’s high powered offense (78.6 PPG) or Virginia tough defense (60.1 opponent PPG). In the end, UNC just has too many weapons and I don’t think Virginia can score enough points to keep up with the pace that the Tar Heels will want to play at.
Spread: North Carolina -4.0, Nick’s Pick: North Carolina