While the ACC basketball season is coming to an end, there are still some big games to be played for teams who are on the outside of the bubble looking in. As for February 24, there are four scheduled games — of course this can change instantly with protocols related to COVID.
Clemson vs. Wake Forest
Clemson currently sits (13-5, 7-5) as they head into action against Wake Forest. But like most teams in the country, due to COVID, Clemson hasn’t played a game since Feb. 12 when they defeated Georgia Tech, 74-72. And that win is looking really even better right now, as the Yellow Jackets are getting hot at the right time.
The Tigers do have solid wins against Purdue, Maryland, Florida State, Louisville and North Carolina. Purdue and Maryland are ranked fifth and seventh overall respectively in the BIG. While Clemson has defeated Georgia Tech and FSU — they’ve also lost to them — and pretty badly.
However, Clemson should have no issues at defeating Wake today.
SCORE: Clemson 77, Wake Forest 68
NC State vs. No. 15 Virginia
Even if NC State were to take down nationally ranked Virginia, the chances of them making the tournament is low, unless they somehow make an impressive run in the ACC Tournament.
The Pack, currently sitting 10th overall in the ACC, are behind Duke, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Syracuse. Cuse and NC State are definitely on the outside looking in. State also is 6-8 in conference play, so, even with a deep run in the ACC Tournament, the question would then be would their resume be sexy enough to make the NCAA Tournament — I don’t think so.
For Virginia, this is a game they should win easily and convincingly — especially if they want a higher seeding when it comes to the NCAA Tournament. However, I do see UVA struggling a bit to close out the game in a convincing matter.
SCORE: No. 15 UVA 89, NC State 82
North Carolina vs. Marquette
Several years ago this would’ve been a game that got me excited to watch as both teams would have likely been ranked.
Today, however, is a newly scheduled game for UNC — again, for COVID reasons.
UNC should take advantage of this game and handle Marquette pretty easily. It won’t be a sexy win, but a win is better than a loss, especially right now.
SCORE: UNC 88, Marquette 69
No. 11 Florida State vs. Miami
Now this gets me excited.
Nothing better than an in-conference, in-state rivalry game late into the season. Although Miami is sputtering this season, I expect this game to be tight all the way to the finish.
Maybe the Hurricanes can catch FSU sleeping and looking ahead to their big match-up against UNC. Or maybe FSU comes out like Georgia Tech did against Miami and run away with the game before halftime.
I’ll take the latter here and say Miami fights with FSU for the majority of the game and makes it close. However, FSU’s strength and power will close out the game to give them their 14th win on the year to solidify a number one seed in the ACC tournament.
SCORE: No. 11 FSU 78, Miami 73
