ACC Basketball Tournament: Virginia, UNC and Duke fight for the title

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Jay Huff #30 of the Virginia Cavaliers blocks a shot by Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of a game at the Dean Smith Center on February 11, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 69-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 10: Tournament MVP Kyle Guy #5 of the Virginia Cavaliers celebrates after defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 71-63 during the championship game of the 2018 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament at Barclays Center on March 10, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Prediction

In the opening round, look for Miami, Notre Dame and Boston College to advance. Notre Dame had a really tough season, but head coach Mike Brey has had some big ACC Tournament moments in the past. Sure, this team is young and not quite as talented, but this squad is also young and inexperienced.

In the second round, N.C. State and Clemson should be the best matchup. As stated earlier, each of these teams needs a win or two. The Wolfpack will pull this one out and get to face No. 1 Virginia in the quarterfinals. Virginia Tech will take care of Miami and get a rematch with FSU in the quarterfinals in what could be another close game. Louisville will beat Notre Dame and Syracuse will defeat Boston College.

In the quarterfinals, UVa will make quick work of N.C. State. Florida State will get by the Hokies while Williamson returns to the court and has a huge game in a win over Syracuse. UNC will defeat Louisville in a close game setting up another Duke/UNC game.

It’s hard to defeat a team three times in one season. That’s why Duke will finally defeat North Carolina and make it to the ACC title game. The Blue Devils will face Virginia, who will get a much stronger game from Florida State this time around. The ‘Noles keep it close but Virginia is just too much.

Finally, we get Duke and Virginia for the third time this season. As stated in the previous paragraph, it’s difficult to defeat the same team three times in one season. Especially, when the opponents are teams like Duke and Virginia. Duke gets its revenge over UNC and the Wahoos will get their revenge on Duke and for the first time in school history, repeat as ACC champions.

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Duke’s strong performance in the tournament will make them a strong contender for a No. 1 seed with UVa and quite possibly, North Carolina.