12
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2005
The ACC was lauded universally
as the best conference in the
land when this season began.
Prognosticators were giving
the conference seven bids to the NCAA
Tournament, and as late as Dec. 19, there
were seven ACC teams in the top 25. Now,
the league would be lucky to earn five bids
to NCAAs, and the ACC Tournament like
ly will determine the final two spots. Here
is a breakdown of all 11 teams competing
in Washington, D.C., this weekend. The
“Prognosis” section analyzes the season the
team is having and its chances in the MCI
Center. “NCAA Dreams” tells for what if
anything each team is playing.
FLORIDA STATE
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
No. 10
(12-18,4-12)
The Seminoles have floundered at
the bottom of the league all sea
son. But FSU did put a scare into
UNC, and if Adam Waleskowski
gets hot, they could be dangerous
emphasis on could.
The Seminoles are not even in
NIT contention at this point,
they have been so bad. Winning
the ACC Tournament would give
them an NCAA berth, but if that
happens check for pigs flying
around the MCI Center rafters.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
No. 7
(17-12,7-9)
The 'Pack is yet another team
that is impossible to predict this
year. Julius Hodge has put up fine
numbers, but his teammates have
disappointed. Tony Bethel and Ilian
Evtimov must step up.
NCSU watched a golden opportunity
slip through its hands after its last
second collapse against Wake. State
needs to at least beat Wake in the
quarters, but that might not be good
enough if the Deacs are without
Chris Paul, who might be suspended.
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ACC Tournament Preview
NORTH CAROLINA
No. 1
(26-3,14-2)
The two biggest question marks for
UNC this season were winning on
the road and winning close games.
The last two weeks have settled
both of those concerns emphatically.
The Tar Heels have all but secured
a No. 1 seed in the friendly con
fines of the Charlotte Coliseum.
The ACC Tournament might be, as
Roy Williams called it, a "glorified
cocktail party" for UNC, but the
senior class wants this ring.
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Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
GEORGIA TECH
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
No. 5
(17-10,8-8)
Many thought Ga. Tech's midsea
son struggles were because of
B.J. Elder's injury. But last year's
NCAA finalists have been just as
inconsistent since the sharpshooter
returned to the Jackets' lineup.
The win against Clemson was just
as important as the struggles of the
teams around them. A win against
Va. Tech on Friday should put them
in the NCAA Tournament, if the
Yellow Jackets aren't in already
anything else will improve seeding.
VIRGINIA
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
No. 11
(13-14,4-12)
The Cavaliers pretty much will
need divine intervention to capture
their first title since 1976. But win
ning two games will clinch a cov
eted spot in the NIT. Unfortunately,
it will have to beat Duke to do so.
UVa. was a hot ticket after creaming
Arizona and climbing to No. 19 in
the polls. But after a disastrous ACC
season, the Wahoos are in danger
of missing the NIT and probably will
have to win the Tournament to save
Pete Gillen's job.
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CLEMSON
No. 9
(15-14,5-11)
Despite winning three ACC games in
a row late in the season, the Tigers
will have a tough task in the MCI
Center. Sharrod Ford has been heat
ing up of late, including a 24-point
performance to win at Maryland.
Clemson has never won the ACC
Tournament, and don't expect it
to happen this year. The Tigers will
be happy to take an NIT selection
college basketball's consolation
prize. Such is the life in the cellar of
the toughest league in the country.
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Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
MIAMI
LJ
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
No. 6
(16-11,7-9)
Guillermo Diaz and Robert Hite can
score with the best of them, but
the supporting cast is pathetic. If
the 'Canes can bomb away from 3-
point land, they can surprise some
teams. If not, hello, South Beach.
The Hurricanes have had their
share of ups and downs this
season, nearly toppling some of
the ACC's top squads —but it's
a long road to at least two wins
and a potential berth in the NCAA
Tournament.
VIRGINIA TECH
No. 4
(15-12,8-8)
The newcomers were known for
football but have proven their
worth on the hardwood this year,
with a respectable record and an
upset of Duke. But a lack of star
power will hurt the Hokies in D.C.
A .500 record is normally good
enough in this league, but the
Hokies have a sub-par RPI and
probably need to get to the cham
pionship game to even think about
getting a bid —and that road
likely goes through North Carolina.
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
DUKE
1
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
MARYLAND
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
WAKE FOREST
Prognosis
NCAA
Dreams
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No. 3
(22-5,11-5)
Duke still is reeling from UNC's
blistering comeback Sunday, but
don't count the Blue Devils out. If
Duke can stay out of foul trouble
—and J.J. Redick can score in both
halves it can capture the crown.
With losses to Maryland (twice)
and Virginia Tech, Duke played its
way out of a chance at an NCAA -
No. 1 seed. A strong showing at the)
Tournament (and possibly a sixth ;
title in seven years) would seal a
No. 2, and at worst a No. 3.
No. 8
(16-11,7-9)
The Terrapins beat Duke twice but
also were swept by Clemson (that's
right, Clemson). The Terps have the
potential to repeat last year's sur
prise run to the title, or they could
bow out in the first round.
Maryland's dreams might have
gone up in smoke in Blacksburg,
Va. A repeat run to the title is about
all that will save the Terrapins from
an embarrassing trip to the NIT
the first time Maryland will miss
the NCAAs since 1993.
No. 2
(26-4,13-3)
The Deacons will ride Chris Paul as
far as he will carry them —and
that will be deep in the Tournament.
An epic rematch with the Tar Heels
could be in the works for ESPN's
dream of a final matchup.
The Deacons have all but secured
a No. 1 seed, barring an early
upset at the MCI Center. This
team is talented and deep enough
to make a run to the Final Four
for the first time since the Billy
Packer era back in 1962.