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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, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 04: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball against the Florida State Seminoles (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 04: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball against the Florida State Seminoles (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Semifinals — Friday, March 13

No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 4 Duke

Duke topped Florida State by five points in February, but the Blue Devils needed a noisy home crowd and some above-average contributions from role players to do so. Florida State hit just 3 of 18 from 3-point range and 12 of 20 free throws in the loss.

Assuming Florida State’s shooting woes don’t reappear, the Seminoles should provide a more difficult challenge for Duke this time around, especially considering they forced 21 turnovers in the first game. Don’t be surprised if they get out in transition and hit Duke with a big punch early.

Prediction: Florida State wins, 67-64

No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 3 Louisville

The Cardinals will be lucky if they can avoid Virginia, which split a pair of games with them in the regular season. But the Fighting Irish pose their own challenge, and their senior-heavy lineup gave Louisville a tough test when the two teams met in January.

The key is how the Cardinals work to keep Notre Dame’s John Mooney off the glass. If big men Malik Williams and Steven Enoch can win the rebounding battle for Louisville and steer Mooney away from the paint, then the Cardinals should be able to cruise to the title game.

Prediction: Louisville wins, 78-66

Finals — Saturday, March 14

No. 1 Florida State vs. No. 3 Louisville

Florida State swept Louisville in the regular-season, downing the Cardinals by 13 points in January and then riding a major scoring run to a 15-point victory in February’s rematch.

Trent Forrest, Devin Vassell and M.J. Walker combined for 57 points in the first contest and 40 in the second. When those three are shooting well and locking down on defense, the Seminoles are a two-way machine capable of throwing 12 different players on the court and kicking any opponent to the curb.

The game should be tight, and Louisville coach Chris Mack will look to get star forward Jordan Nwora knocking down shots early. But regardless of how well Nwora plays — he had 32 points when Louisville first lost to Florida State in January — the Seminoles have enough weapons to match his firepower and hit Louisville back even harder.

Next. ACC power rankings. dark

Look for the Seminoles to win their second-ever ACC Tournament in a back-and-forth contest that solidifies their hold on a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Prediction: Florida State wins, 80-73