ACC Basketball: 2022 conference tournament preview and predictions

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 10: Light depicting the ACC logo shines on the court prior to a game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Semifinals of the 2012 Men's ACC Tournament at the Philips Arena on March 10, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. North Carolina defeated NC State 69-67. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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ACC Basketball Pittsburgh Panthers forward Mouhamadou Gueye Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

First-round

No. 12 Pittsburgh vs. No. 13 Boston College

Pittsburgh has really struggled since their three-game winning streak over Florida State and the two North Carolina schools and entered their first-round matchup with Boston College on a four-game losing streak. In the last meeting between the two schools this season, the Eagles came away with an easy 13-point victory in which they led most of the game.

Pittsburgh will need a better offensive output from John Hugley and Mo Gueye who shot just 5-15, but the problem is the Eagles Demarr Langford and Makai Ashton-Langford who combined for 38 the first time around. Both teams have not been very good to end the year but I think Boston College will be moving on to the second round.

Prediction: Boston College 67, Pittsburgh 63

No. 10 Clemson vs. No. 15 NC State

NC State struggled this season and finished with the No. 15 seed, earning them a meeting with No. 10 Clemson. The Tigers have won four straight games and won the only meeting between the two teams this season 70-65. Since that meeting in early January, the Wolfpack have won just three games and will have a hard time winning this one.

Clemson’s blueprint should be the same as their victory over NC State, shoot in the 40-50% range and contain the supporting cast of Dereon Seaborn. If they are able to repeat that, they will be playing in the second round.

Prediction: Clemson 74, NC State 63

No. 11 Louisville vs. No. 14 Georgia Tech

In the last game of the first round, a team that endured a coaching change, No. 11 Louisville take on No. 14 Georgia Tech. Louisville replaced Chris Mack midseason and things haven’t gone well, winning just twice since beating Pittsburgh on January 5th. They faced off with Georgia Tech just once, coming away with a 67-64 win.

In that meeting, Louisville outrebounded Georgia Tech by nine, and while Georgia Tech isn’t an elite rebounding team, they do average 34 per game, so the 25 they pulled in this game was uncharacteristic. The difference for me in this game isn’t statistical, it’s a feeling that Georgia Tech is playing more competitive basketball coming into this game, with two wins and three other losses by four points or less.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 69, Louisville 63