ACC tournament preview capsules, 3/10/11

Published March 9, 2011 5:00am ET



ACC TOURNAMENT

Where » Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum

No. 8 Virginia vs. No. 9 Miami

When » Thursday, noon

TV » ACC Network (My 20)

Radio » 570 AM

Virginia (16-14) has won four of its last five and is eligible to play in a postseason tournament after two losing seasons. To make the NCAAs however, the Cavaliers need to win the ACC title. Virginia hasn’t been to the ACC final since 1994, and its lone title came in 1976. During the Cavaliers’ recent run, senior G Mustapha Farrakhan has averaged 15.4 ppg. Miami (18-13) won the lone meeting a month ago in Coral Gables 70-68 in overtime as Adrian Thomas (20 points, 10 rebounds) hit six 3-pointers. The winner has a tough task, advancing to play top-seeded North Carolina (24-6).

No. 5 Boston College vs. No. 12 Wake Forest

When » Thursday, 2:30 p.m.

TV » ACC Network (My 20)

After beating Wake Forest 84-68 on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, Boston College must do it in the Demon Deacons’ home state to earn a quarterfinal berth against fourth-seeded Clemson (20-10), a game that could decide an NCAA berth. Boston College (19-11) has an RPI of 44, and Clemson is 60. But the Eagles probably would have to line up behind the Tigers in the pecking order if they finish 0-2 against Clemson. Boston College has not gotten past the ACC quarterfinals in three seasons.

No. 6 Virginia Tech vs. No. 11 Georgia Tech

When » Thursday, 9:30 p.m.

TV » ACC Network (My 20)

Radio » 106.7 FM

A loss would doom the NCAA tournament prospects of Virginia Tech (19-10), which has been to the NIT the last three seasons, in part because of its failures in the ACC tournament. Since joining the ACC, the Hokies have gone 3-6, have never beaten a higher-seeded team and have been ousted by lower seeds four times. Georgia Tech (13-17) has had a slight uptick, winning two straight entering the tournament. In the season series, each won on its homecourt by a decisive margin. The winner plays third-seeded Florida State (21-9).

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