Wake Forest (RPI 135) @ North Carolina (RPI 2)- Has the whole world gone crazy? Wake Forest a football school? They would be play in game bound in the old days. The world is off its axis with FSU, Virginia Tech, and Clemson looking like legit tourney teams. When is the real heat going to turn on Skip Prosser? His teams have been bottom feeders since the Chris Paul gravy train departed Winston-Salem.
The Heels have shown some youthful inconsistency on the road, but they are the most talented team in the country. When this team comes to play, they can’t be touched.
Matchup to watch: Kyle Visser vs. Tyler Hansborough and Brendan Wright. It’s two against one. Visser has been the only player to consistently bring it for Wake. Look for Visser to pick a few quick whistles as the onslaught begins.
Prediction: This one is over in warm ups. Heels big.
Virginia (RPI 31) @ Virginia Tech (RPI 35)- An exciting matchup with implications in the ACC race. Both teams are probably safely, but this one is huge for the Hokies. They have been leaking oil after a hot start with three straight conference losses. If this team continues, their two sub 150 RPI losses could come back to haunt them on selection Sunday.
On the other hand, UVA has caught fire after the debacle in Puerto Rico. They know who their horses are in JR Reynolds and Sean Singeltary. This teams confidence is through the roof right now after the Clemson comeback. That is a momentum boost that a team can ride deep into March.
Matchup to watch: Tywon Lawson and Wayne Ellington may be the future, but the two best backcourts in the ACC are going to be on display in Blacksburg. Singeltary/Reynolds vs. Dowdell/Gordon will be one too watch.
Prediction: VPI in a close one to end the Hoos winning streak.
NC State (RPI 105) @ Miami (RPI 171)- If the Wolfpack have any intention of making a move towards the bubble, this one is the first of many must wins. Sidney Lowe looks to have the Wolfpack in the right direction and with Atsur (What is this, his 9th year?) back healthy. They have the talent to beat anyone in the conference.
The Canes have to be ready to pack this season in. It started off on a bad note with Frank Haith’s personal tragedy and never got better. This season was over before Christmas as they picked up losses to Buffalo (RPI 221), Cleveland State (RPI 278), and Bighampton (RPI 279). Miami has been decimated by injuries and will only suit up two players over 6’3 tommorow.
Matchup to watch: NC State’s frontcourt of Brendan Costner, Gavin Grant, and Ben McCauley vs. Miami’s depleted bunch. NCSU’s trio goes 6’8, 6’9, 6’10 and combine to average 47.7 PPG and 19.8 RPG. This matchup could get ugly with some quick fouls. Miami just doesn’t have the size.
Prediction: Miami fights hard for a half at home, but they’re outmanned after the intermission. NC State picks up a road win and hangs onto its dance hopes by a thread.
-PS
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2 comments:
Wake Forest has been awful in basketball ever since it came to Champaign ranked #1 in '04 and got bent over.
That Wake game was just one of many memorable Illinois basketball nights that year. Just an absolute ass-kicking. I'll always remember Deron, Augie and Randle getting a standing O in my Intro to Sports Management class the next day.
Campus was nutty that week.
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