ACC Tournament 2012 Bracket and Schedule: Complete Guide and Preview

Oh boy, are things heating up just in time in the ACC. The top teams, the Duke Blue Devils and UNC Tar Heels, are at each other's throats, and it is exactly what we need with March Madness just around the corner.

The Blue Devils and Tar Heels are locks for the Big Dance, as are the Florida State Seminoles and Virginia Cavaliers barring some crazy turn of events.

The ACC has been relatively strong once again, but it is hard to imagine any team but the Blue Devils or Tar Heels in the final.

Both teams had big wins against each other this season, as neither could protect their home court.

Most of these teams are going to have to hope otherwise, as they will be looking to lock up that automatic bid to the Big Dance.

Where: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

When: March 8-11

Watch: ACC Network/ESPN U (Round 1); ACC Network/ESPN2 (Round 2), ESPN (Third and Final Round)

Live Stream: ESPN 3

Bracket Info

With 12 teams in the conference, the top four teams are receiving byes. The seeding is as follows:

1. North Carolina Tar Heels 27-4 (14-2)

2. Duke Blue Devils 26-5 (13-3)

3. Florida State Seminoles 21-9 (12-4)

4. Virginia Cavaliers 22-8 (9-7)

5. NC State Wolfpack 20-11 (9-7)

6. Miami Hurricanes 18-11 (9-7)

7. Clemson Tigers 16-14 (8-8)

8. Maryland Terrapins 16-14 (6-10)

9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 13-17 (4-12)

10. Virginia Tech Hokies 15-16 (4-12)

11. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 11-19 (4-12)

12. Boston College Golden Eagles 9-21 (4-12)

Schedule (All Times EST)

First Round: No. 8 Terrapins vs. No. 9 Deacons (12 p.m.); No. 5 Wolfpack vs. No. 12 Golden Eagles (2 p.m.); No. 7 Tigers vs. No. 10 Hokies (7 p.m.); No. 6 Hurricanes vs. No. 11 Yellow Jackets (9 p.m.).

Second Round: No. 8/9 vs. No. 1 Tar Heels (12 p.m.); No. 5/12 vs. No. 4 Cavaliers (2 p.m.); No. 7/10 vs. No. 2 Blue Devils (7 p.m.); No. 6/11 vs. No. 3 Seminoles (9 p.m.).

Third Round: No. 8/9/1 vs. No. 5/12/4 (1 p.m.); No. 7/10/2 vs. No. 6/11/3 (3 p.m.).

Final: 1 p.m.

Surprise Team to Win: Seminoles

As previously mentioned, the Blue Devils or Tar Heels are clear favorites to take this tournament. The only team that right now stands a chance at trumping either team is the Seminoles, as they stand to be the only team to beat both during the regular season.

It certainly won't be easy for the Seminoles, as they would have to get through likely the Hurricanes in the second round, which would line up a meeting with the Blue Devils (or the Tigers/Hokies) in the third.

Considering they just lost to the Blue Devils 74-66 on February 23rd, on their home court, this could be a difficult win for the Seminoles.

If they play strong, they just may have a chance to jump the No. 2 seed.

First Favorite to Fall: Cavaliers

The team in the toughest position is the Cavaliers, as they will have to likely deal with the Wolfpack in Round 2 and then the Tar Heels in the semifinals.

They took down the Wolfpack on the road, but it wasn't easy as they squeezed out of that one with a 61-60 victory. As for the Tar Heels, they lost both games by a combined score of 124-103.

They did have a nice showing against the Tar Heels on February 25th, where they lost by just three at home. On a mutual floor, with the Tar Heels coming off of a huge road win over the Blue Devils, the Cavaliers will be in trouble.

Jeff Chase is a Featured Columnist for the Chicago Cubs and Arizona State football.
Follow @Real_Jeff_Chase