ACC Quarterfinals – Wolfpack vs Cavaliers
Just how good is the ACC this season? That is the question you have to ask yourself in evaluating whether NC State should qualify for March Madness or not.
North Carolina State Wolfpack (21-11) vs Virgina Cavaliers (22-8)
Friday March 9
Philips Arena – Atlanta, GA
2:00PM
Moneyline: No line currently posted
Spread: Cavaliers -2.5
O/U: No line currently posted
North Carolina State
Sure they rolled over Boston College in the first round of the ACC tournament but that is the worst team in the league this year. They had some chances to grab signature victories but in the end their best conference wins were against Miami, another bubble team, but one that beat Duke. I think the Wolfpack needs at least one more win to get in and they are getting a good chance to do that by drawing Virginia.
The Wolfpack are led by highly touted forward C.J. Leslie. Thought to be a one and done candidate, it took him a while to adjust to the college game. While his ceiling is still high what has really changed this year is consistency – only three times did he not score in double figures. Against Virginia in a one point loss he had 17 points, not bad considering how UVA deflates scoring. Looking for another key player for NC State, how about forward Rickard Howell. He only had 18 rebounds in just 28 minutes that same game and is a load. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Virginia
The Virginia Cavaliers have probably done enough to return to the tournament but the last thing they want to do is leave any doubt with an early exit from the ACC tourney on Friday. All of their last 4 games have been decided by 3 points or less but their record is just 2-2. Especially stinging was their loss to Florida State. They completely fell apart in that one as the Seminoles rallied after losing center Bernard James to ejection for kicking.
Coach Tony Bennett is getting the most out of this squad but I am not sure what there is to like about these guys. Yes, they have a strong commitment to defense but on the opposite end of the floor they really struggle. Only senior forward Mike Scott is a legit threat and with a good game plan you should be able to neutralize him. In the quarters where they are the more rested team they should win but beyond that I think you should fade the Cavaliers.
Spread Pick: Wolfpack
O/U Pick:
Score Prediction: NC State 65 – Virginia 59
