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ACC Basketball: 2020 conference tournament preview and predictions

By Bill McCarthy

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 07: Souvenir basketballs are displayed for sale at the New York Life 2017 ACC Tournament logo at center court at Barclays Center on March 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 07: Souvenir basketballs are displayed for sale at the New York Life 2017 ACC Tournament logo at center court at Barclays Center on March 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – FEBRUARY 19: David Johnson #13 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball up court during a game against the Syracuse Orange (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – FEBRUARY 19: David Johnson #13 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball up court during a game against the Syracuse Orange (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Quarterfinals — Thursday, March 12

No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 8 Clemson

Clemson knocked off Florida State with a buzzer-beating layup in February, but the first time the two teams met, the result was a Florida State blowout. With an extra day’s rest, expect coach Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles to overwhelm the Tigers with their stingy defense and variety of offensive weapons, including Trent Forrest, Devin Vassell and M.J. Walker.

Prediction: Florida State wins, 76-61

No. 4 Duke vs. No. 5 NC State

The Blue Devils already got revenge this month for NC State’s 22-point beatdown in February, but a rubber match would give either school the chance to secure full bragging rights for the year. When NC State routed Duke in their first meeting, it was in part because it hit 61.5% from beyond the arc, despite shooting just 32% from three on the season.

That’s unlikely to happen again. Assuming a third Blue Devil can step up alongside Tre Jones and Vernon Carey Jr., Duke will prove that it’s back to its winning ways with another victory.

Prediction: Duke wins, 76-70

No. 2 Virginia vs. No. 7 Notre Dame

Virginia enters postseason play as one of the nation’s hottest teams with an eight-game winning streak. But despite their top-ranked defense, the Cavaliers are vulnerable, as is evidenced by the fact that they’ve won those eight games by a combined 29 points.

The defending NCAA Tournament champions only beat Notre Dame by one point at home this season, and they needed overtime to do it. So while it shouldn’t shock anyone if Virginia cuts down the nets at the end of the week, it also shouldn’t surprise if coach Mike Brey’s team finds a way to take down the Wahoos in another tightly contested, low-scoring game.

Prediction: Notre Dame wins, 53-50

No. 3 Louisville vs. No. 6 Syracuse

Louisville throttled Syracuse when the two teams first met in February, winning 90-66 in a game that saw five Cardinals score in double figures. The key for coach Chris Mack’s team, which spent some time at No. 1 in the AP poll this season, has been the emergence of freshman point guard David Johnson. If Johnson can pick apart Syracuse’s zone and find Louisville’s shooters beyond the arc, then the Cardinals should have no problems with the Orange.

Prediction: Louisville wins, 84-70