ACC Tournament 2012: Predictions for All Quarterfinal Action

Here are a quick preview and predictions for today's ACC Tournament quarterfinal games. 

Maryland vs North Carolina

The Terrapins and Tar Heels just got under way, so I won't go into too much detail.

Maryland has been a lot better since getting Pe'Shon Howard and Alex Len into game action, but UNC is just too strong on the inside.

Terrell Stoglin should be able to get his for the Terrapins, I just don't foresee an upset. Tar Heels by 15.

North Carolina St. vs Virginia

After going 2-4 to end the season, the Wolfpack sit squarely on the bubble, and the general consensus is they are on the outside looking in. Similarly, Virginia had a poor end to its season, although the Cavaliers are still set to make the tourney.

Both teams are playing poorly, so it's hard to predict who will show up, but I like the Wolfpack, who have more to play for to pull the upset.

No offense to Mike Scott, who has had a tremendous season, but when C.J Leslie wants to, he can be the best player on the court. On defense, he can alter almost any shot near him with his tremendous jumping ability.

On offense, he's better out in transition, which Virginia won't allow, but if he gets in a groove he can control the game.

Look for Leslie, along with sharp-shooter Scott Wood, to have a big game in the upset. I just don't trust Virginia and its inability to score consistently, although it has a top defense. 

Virginia Tech vs Duke

The Hokies are so much better than their 4-12 conference record suggests. Of those 12 losses, eight have come by five points or less, and that includes the five-point overtime loss at Cameron Indoor just a few weeks ago.

Don't automatically assume the Blue Devils are the huge favorite here.

Virginia Tech doesn't really have a superstar, but it has six different guys who can score 15 on any given night, and depth is so important come March.

On the other side, the Blue Devils are reeling after their big loss to North Carolina, and they'll be without third-leading-scorer, Ryan Kelly. Unless Austin Rivers has a huge game—which is very possible—I like the Hokies in an upset. 

Miami vs Florida State

Much like North Carolina State, Miami needs to win against Florida State to keep its NCAA-Tournament hopes alive. 

After a stellar start in the ACC, the Seminoles struggled to end the season as they lost two of their last four. One of those losses was at Miami by 16, a game in which Reggie Johnson didn't even play for Miami, but they responded with a nice win at Virginia.

Nonetheless, FSU hasn't looked like the team it was at the beginning of conference play. It hasn't looked like the team that absolutely dominated North Carolina and beat Duke at the buzzer.

Momentum is an important attribute come March, and FSU doesn't have it. They've struggled with Miami all season (only beat them by five at home), and today will be no different.

The Seminoles' defense will keep it close, but with Reggie Johnson back, Miami will control the inside.