ACC Tournament 2012 Schedule: Duke and FSU Will Cruise to Semifinal Showdown

College hoops fans everywhere are going to be treated to a third game between Duke and Florida State on Friday.

We're going to see this showdown because both schools are going to win their quarterfinal showdowns on Friday. Let's take a look at how that will happen. 

Duke vs. Virginia Tech. Friday, 7 p.m. EST

The Hokies just don't have the firepower to play with Duke. The Blue Devils are one of the best offensive teams in the country, while Virginia Tech is not even a Top 200 team in scoring. That matchup is not going to work well for Va. Tech.

As if all of that wasn't enough, this particular Duke team plays much better when they're not at Cameron. They have three losses there and have had to deal with some wins that were much tougher than they should have been, including one against the Hokies.

But away from home, Duke plays much better as a team. The players rely more on each other, instead of on their own individual talents. That is how this particular Blue Devils team needs to work. Austin Rivers needs to man the outside, but also work Mason and Miles Plumlee into the action.  

We're going to see that in Atlanta this week from them. It won't be enough to beat UNC, but the rest of the ACC will fall to Duke. 

Prediction: Duke 79, Virginia Tech 63

Florida State vs. Miami. Friday, 9 p.m. EST

Before a third clash with Duke, the Seminoles will have to get by Miami. Fortunately, they will do just that. This FSU team is incredibly impressive, with some great wins, notably against Duke and North Carolina. 

They are going to learn from the mistakes of the second game against the Hurricanes (a loss) and take it to Miami tonight. 

Miami doesn't have the muscle to compete with Bernard James and the rest of Florida State on the inside, as the Seminoles are one of the top rebounding teams in the country. That means that the Hurricanes will need to live on the outside, and they're not quite good enough to do that. 

Prediction: Florida State 68, Miami 61

ACC Tournament Schedule - Remaining Games:

Quarterfinals, Friday, March 9	Time (EST)	TV
Duke vs. Virginia Tech	7 p.m.	ESPN2
Florida State vs. Miami	9 p.m.	ESPN2

Semifinals, Saturday, March 10	Time (EST)	TV
North Carolina vs. North Carolina State	1 p.m.	ESPN
Duke/Virginia Tech winner vs. Florida State/Miami winner	3 p.m.	ESPN

Finals, Sunday, March 11	Time (EST)	TV
Semifinal 1 winner vs. Semifinal 2 winner	1 p.m.	ESPN

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