Well my picks for the ACC Tournament weren’t quite as bad as they have been in the past. At least this time I got the tournament winner right. It wasn’t an easy road for North Carolina, but the Tarheels persevered and captured an unprecedented 17th ACC Tournament Title. A big congratulations goes out to Coach Roy Williams and the rest of the UNC team on a great tournament showing.
Obviously, the Heels aren’t done by a long shot. UNC received a #1 overall seed in the Eastern region, a region that will keep the team close to home on the road to the Final Four. Will playing in Raleigh and Charlotte propel the Heels to San Antonio? It’s time to break down the East.
FIRST ROUND:
UNC v. MSM/Coppin St.
-No 16 seed has ever beaten a 1. It won’t happen here. Heels roll.
Indiana v. Arkansas
-Those 8/9 games are always tough. Indiana is struggling, but Hoosiers have enough talent to win at least one game.
Notre Dame v. George Mason
-Remember Mason? The Patriots are hoping for another Cinderella run. Not this time. I’m taking the Irish.
Washington St v. Winthrop
-Winthrop is certainly capable of pulling the upset, but I think Washington St holds on in a good first round game.
Oklahoma v. St Josephs
-Extremely tough call. OU played well down the stretch while St Joe’s was really inconsistent. Not a bad idea for those of you who like upsets, but I’m sticking with the Sooners.
Louisville v. Boise St
-I’m taking Rick Pitino’s Cardinals, but wouldn’t you love to see Boise advance to face Oklahoma. Hmm, I wonder how many times they’d show that Fiesta Bowl replay in that broadcast?
Butler v. S. Alabama
-Butler went 29-3. They went undefeated against the 6 power conferences. They finished the regular season in the top 10. And the best seed they can get is a 7?! Hello?! Come on people. Butler advances.
Tennessee v. American
-Congratulations to former UVA Coach Jeff Jones, as he led American to their first tournament berth. It’ll be a short stay though. UT rolls.
SECOND ROUND
UNC v. Indiana
-This is potentially a scary game for the Tarheels, but Indiana has been so inconsistent since Kelvin Sampson’s resignation. I’d expect a close game for a half or so, but UNC should pull away and advance to the Sweet 16.
Wash St v. Notre Dame
-Notre Dame has a tremendous player in Luke Harangody. The Big East POY is good for 20 and 10 a night. Maybe St Patrick’s Day is clouding my judgment, but I like the Irish over Washington St.
Louisville v. Oklahoma
-Lots of people are in love with Louisville. I’m not one of them, but do like them just enough to take out Oklahoma in a low scoring game.
Tennessee v. Butler
-This result depends on which Vols team shows up. The regular season Vols, who were arguably the best team in the country. Or the SEC Tournament Vols, who forgot the concept of defense. This may be the best potential 2nd round game, and in a close one, I have to stick with Tennessee.
SWEET 16
UNC v. Notre Dame
-This is an intriguing matchup with Harangody meeting Tyler Hansbrough. Those two might cancel each other out. And the Irish have shooters to keep up with Wayne Ellington and Danny Green. So again, another tough game for UNC, but I like the Heels to pull it out in Charlotte.
Tennessee v. Louisville
-If the Vols get past Butler, then the Vols are back to playing great basketball. That’s enough to lift them into the Elite 8. Bruce Pearl…please keep your shirt on.
EAST FINAL
UNC v. Tennessee
-I can’t imagine what the atmosphere will be like in Charlotte for this one. I do know that it could be the best game of the tournament. Both teams are capable of running the floor and having defensive lapses. What does that mean? A ton of points! A close game usually comes down to free throws. If it does, UNC has 4 guys who shoot 80%. Tennessee has 1. North Carolina makes just enough from the charity stripe to take out the Vols and punch their ticket to San Antonio.
Next up, the Midwest. Keep an eye out.
