ACC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions
First Round — Tuesday, March 10
No. 12 Wake Forest vs. No. 13 Pittsburgh
Wake Forest topped Pittsburgh 69-65 in an early season comeback that saw the Panthers go scoreless for the final three minutes of regulation. Pittsburgh will carry a seven-game losing streak into the rematch in Greensboro, which is less than an hour’s drive from Wake Forest’s campus. Expect the Demon Deacons, led by senior guard Brandon Childress and fueled by the energy of a local crowd, to end the Panthers’ season in another close contest.
Prediction: Wake Forest wins, 70-63
No. 11 Virginia Tech vs. No. 14 North Carolina
The first meeting between these two teams was a double-overtime thriller that saw Virginia Tech come out on top by just two points in Blacksburg, Virginia. But that game came when North Carolina was without freshman Cole Anthony, who missed several weeks with a knee injury.
When healthy, the Tar Heels — who lost multiple games on last-second shots — are better than their record suggests. If Anthony and junior forward Garrison Brooks can find a rhythm in front of a friendly Greensboro crowd, then North Carolina should get by the Hokies.
Prediction: North Carolina wins, 78-71
Second Round — Wednesday, March 11
No. 8 Clemson vs. No. 9 Miami
Miami enters the ACC Tournament on a high after beating Syracuse in overtime to close the regular season. But their fortunes could run out when they face up with Clemson, which looks like the stronger team heading into postseason play. The Tigers will have to contain Miami guard Chris Lykes, who exploded for 27 points when the two teams met in December.
Prediction: Clemson wins, 65-61
No. 12 Wake Forest vs. No. 5 NC State
NC State has already handled Wake Forest twice this season, beating the Demon Deacons by nine points in December and by 20 points in Friday’s end-of-season rematch. Led by Markell Johnson, NC State has several upperclassmen it can lean on offensively and in tight moments. With a potential berth in the NCAA Tournament on the line, those players will be ready to play.
Prediction: NC State wins, 83-71
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Boston College
Notre Dame and Boston College traded blows during the regular season, with each team handing the other a one-point loss on the road. But the third matchup is Notre Dame’s to lose. Coach Mike Brey is one of the best tactical coaches in the conference, and he should have his four-senior starting lineup ready for whatever Boston College throws at the Irish this time.
Prediction: Notre Dame wins, 72-66
No. 14 North Carolina vs. No. 6 Syracuse
The Tar Heels buried Syracuse when the two teams met in February, draining 11 of 26 3-point attempts and leaving the Carrier Dome stunned. Garrison Brooks proved to be the perfect zone buster, and North Carolina knocked down open look after open look. But North Carolina is still one of the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country, so a repeat seems unlikely. Look for Elijah Hughes and the Orange to shore up their zone and capture a win in Tar Heel country.
Prediction: Syracuse wins, 70-67