Tobacco Road Report

by David

It falls to the Northern branch of TRR to make some ACC tournament picks. While not as difficult as picking the entire NCAA bracket it still is not easy. But I am comforted by knowing that when I am right 56% of the time, I am wrong 44% of the time. These picks are not necessarily endorsed by TRR at large, I am just the only one dumb enough to put my name on the line with these picks. No really, that's it, so go ahead and write me and tell me how stupid my picks are.

Round 1:
Florida State 67, Clemson 56
This effectively ends Clemson's NCAA tournament hopes and FSU is still on the outside looking in.

Maryland 74, Miami 59
Maryland puts it in cruise after 35 minutes and still coasts to a 15 point victory.

Duke 56, NC State 52
Duke toughs it out without Henderson and holds on for a close win. This is also my pick for most fan taunting in a game. The NC State fans are going to be all over the Duke players.

Georgia Tech 77, Wake Forest 49
The Jackets cement their bid to the NCAA tournament with an easy win over the Demon Deacons.

Overall there are two easy picks here: Maryland and Tech. Which Clemson team shows up is a big question mark and I would not put anything past Duke at this point, particulalry missing Henderson, their one true athletic player. It should still be fun to watch though.

Round 2:
UNC 72, Florida State 63
The 'Noles fall to the Heels and fail to qualify for the NCAA tournament. The highlight of this game will be Tyler Hansbrough doing his Phantom of the Opera impression. I hear he has a beautiful singing voice. Didn't you want to see a fight in that UNC-Duke game? You could tell Tyler was literally hopping mad when he got up. Kudos for his teammates getting in between him and anybody in a Duke jersey.

Maryland 88, BC 69
Maryland aveneges the early season loss and the Eagles are left wondering what kind of lousy seed they will get from the NCAA selection committee.

Virginia 65, Duke 60
Despite Henderson's return the Cavaliers are able to deny Duke scoring opportunities and take home the 'W'.

Georgia Tech 73, Virginia Tech 69
Maybe the toughest game in the second round. Each team has had a Jekyll/Hyde thing going on this year and it all depends on which team shows up. If both "bad Techs" show up the final score could be 34-32 with neither team wanting to continue.

The bottom half of the tournament bracket is killing me. There are so many questions about all of the teams. All anyone needs to do is put together a few good games and a trip to the ACC tournament finals is there for the taking. They want to give you a trip to the NCAA! Are you man enough to take it!

Semifinals:
Maryland 81, UNC 69
I think UNC is primed for a sub-par outing and this will be it. Too many people are talking about UNC's shot at a #1 seed and it is going to get to them. Maryland will look to continue its dominance over the last month and I think they can do it.

Georgia Tech 69, Virginia 66
Tech holds on to win a nail-biter on last second foul shots.

Finals:
Maryland 66, Georgia Tech 59
Maryland wins a good game and makes it clear they are the hottest team in the ACC going into the NCAA tourney.

There they are. Action starts on Thursday. Good luck to all the teams!