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ACC: 3 Things to Watch for this Weekend

By Beaumont Rand

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Coming off of one of the best Duke/UNC matchups in recent memory, this weekend’s ACC docket may initially appear to be anticlimactic. Of course none of the weekend’s seven games are between ranked teams, but many ACC teams are looking for a clearer direction with under a month left in the regular season. Of course, solid footing in the nation’s best power conference can be hard to come by, especially when there still is much to play for.

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1. The Shifting ACC Bubble

Though the ACC’s bubble may not be as crowded as the Big Ten’s or say the SEC’s, three teams with volatile resumes are competing for what could be a sixth at-large spot (assuming none of these teams win the conference tourney). NC State, Miami and Pitt all sport strong wins- each bubble team has defeated at least one top-ten team within the conference. Yet each team also is dragged down by some serious non-conference duds- each has lost to a mid-major before 2015.

The ‘Canes (17-9, 7-6 ACC), mostly viewed as the weakest of the three (65th in RPI), have the best chance this weekend at reeling Louisville. If the Canes take advantage of their opportunity, they could elevate themselves to a more confident bubble position (they are currently in the last four in our projections). After falling to Virginia and to the first four out of our projections and at Virginia this week, Pitt (17-10, 6-7 ACC) has a chance to get back on track at Syracuse. As for NC State, the Wolfpack (15-11, 6-7 ACC) currently boasts the best wins of the three (over Duke and Louisville), but need to avoid adding another bad loss Saturday against Virginia Tech.

2. The Fate of Chris Jones

Maligned after losses by a fan base and now his Hall-of-Fame coach, Louisville PG Chris Jones has caught as much flack as any player in college basketball. The stocky senior from Memphis averages 13.6 points, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game for the #12 team in the nation, yet struggles down the stretch in big games and an off-court suspension has attempted to derail not just Jones’ final collegiate campaign, but the Cardinals’ (20-6, 8-5 ACC) inaugural season in the ACC.

Rick Pitino has said Jones has been reinstated and will “probably” return against Miami. If Jones returns – no matter whether he just plays or resumes his starting position – he must be the rudder for the Cards in these tumultuous February waters. His scoring ability and on-ball defense are essential to establishing Pitino’s signature fast pace and making an offensively challenged unit go. Louisville needs Jones to return emphatically to keep the Cards’ tourney seed from an absolute freefall.

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    • 3. Stability Up Top

    Other than Louisville’s recent struggles, the other top four ACC teams have solidified their position in the conference’s elite. Sans the Duke/Carolina game (does UNC’s loss really hurt their resume?) none of the top teams should be significantly challenged this weekend.

    Carolina (18-8, 8-5 ACC) looks to get over their Tobacco Road heartbreak at home against lowly Georgia Tech. If the Tar Heels’ frontcourt is a shell of what it was against Duke (and if Marcus Paige and Nate Britt could be more accurate shooting the ball), they should roll. Duke (23-3, 10-3 ACC) should have little trouble overwhelming Clemson at Cameron. On Sunday, Virginia (24-1, 12-1 ACC) looks to inch closer to Justin Anderson’s return against FSU. Only Notre Dame’s (23-4, 11-3 ACC) contest seems to offer intrigue- Boston College has been a place where good teams have struggled. Of course, the Mike Brey-led Irish have been known in the past to start a season hot, but flounder late. If Jerian Grant can score easily, they should have few problems this Saturday.

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