Basketball Heaven

In Tuesday’s first round of the ACC Tournament, Boston College defeated Georgia Tech and Wake Forest lost a heartbreaker to Virginia Tech.

Today’s Second Round match-ups, which will air on ESPN and ESPN2, has No. 8 Clemson playing No. 9 Florida State, No. 5 North Carolina vs. No. 12 Boston College, No. 7 North Carolina State playing No. 10 Pitt and No. 6 Miami goes against No. 14 Virginia Tech.

The ACC Tournament is a three-day battle on the hardwoods for the crown before the winner heads on to their NCAA dreams.

No. 1 Virginia will play the winner of the Clemson/Florida State game in Thursday’s Quarterfinals.  I believe FSU will defeat Clemson.  Louisville will be pitted against the winner of the North Carolina/Boston College game.  North Carolina will edge out the Eagles.

As a big-time Dookie, the 7 PM game between NC State and Pitt is of enormous interest as the winner will face my beloved Duke Blue Devils in the quarterfinals on Thursday.  I smell a victory for the Wolfpack due to Pitt’s weak defense.

Finally, the winner of the Miami/Virginia Tech game will meet the Irish of Notre Dame at 9 PM on Thursday.  The Hurricanes whipped the Hokies twice in the regular season and will likely emerge the winner tonight.

I am going to be in basketball heaven for the next three days watching teams that comprise the very best of men’s college hoops.  I make no secret of my love for Duke.  I know America hates them, but hey, with a 28-3 record and ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll and the USA Today Coaches Poll they are indisputably a title-winning team.  The hate piles up for Duke in the same way it does for the New York Yankees or the Dallas Cowboys; they’re worthy opponents.

And since no basketball post would be complete without some lovely cheerleaders, have a gander at these pretty young things.

UPDATE 2:32 PM:  The Noles barely defeat the Tigers 76-73 after losing a 20-point lead.

UPDATE 4:57 PM:  With 5:01 left in the game, if became apparent the Eagles could not overcome the big lead the Tarheels had.  Carolina wins 81-63.

UPDATE 9:13 PM:  The Panthers played hard, but struggled throughout the game never once taking the lead.  The Wolfpack skinned the cats 81-70.

FINAL UPDATE:  Hokie's turnovers killed their chances to win against the Canes.  Their only lead in the game came in the second half and quickly disappeared as they lost 59-49.