ACC Tournament 2013: Predictions for Each Game of the Tournament

The Miami Hurricanes pulled off one of the biggest shocks of this college hoops season by going 15-3 in conference play and winning the outright ACC title.

Regardless of the Canes winning the regular season title, Duke still comes in as the overwhelming favorite to win the conference tournament.

Here are predictions for each game of the 2013 ACC Tournament.

First Round

Boston College vs. Georgia Tech

The Eagles and Yellow Jackets have both had their struggles in ACC play this season. Georgia Tech managed to get just six conference wins, while Boston College managed to get seven.

Each team will be looking for a nice tournament win that they can build on going into next year. Boston College won a very close game between these two teams last weekend, but this time they will not fare as well.

Pick: Georgia Tech

North Carolina State vs. Virginia Tech

North Carolina State is locked in for the NCAA Tournament; their seeding would take a massive hit though if they were upset in the first round by Virginia Tech. They narrowly escaped the Hokies in overtime in February, but things will likely not be as close this time around.

Virginia Tech has had a very tough year in the ACC and those struggles are likely going to carry over into the conference tournament.

Pick: North Carolina State

Florida State vs. Clemson

There were some high hopes for Florida State coming into this season, but they showed an inability to compete with the top teams in their conference all season. They maintained a 9-9 record in ACC play, though, because they were able to defeat the average competition in the ACC.

Clemson was one of those teams that Florida State was able to defeat. The Tigers fell to the Seminoles in two tight games this season, and we can expect a repeat performance the third time around.

Pick: Florida State

Maryland vs. Wake Forest

If Maryland can beat Wake Forest and then win their next round game against Duke, they would make a strong case for being one of the last teams in the NCAA Tournament.

The Terrapins handled the Demon Deacons both times this season and will look to do so for a third time to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Pick: Maryland

Quarterfinals

Georgia Tech vs. Miami

The Hurricanes were the surprise story in college basketball. They literally came out of nowhere to win the ACC title, and were ranked No. 2 in the country at one point in the season.

The Yellow Jackets stunned Miami last week by beating them by two points at home, but Miami will be ready this time around. The Hurricanes want to prove to people that they really are the best team in the ACC, and the only way to do that is by beating Duke in the tournament title game.

Pick: Miami

North Carolina State vs. Virginia

While the Wolfpack are likely to win in the tournament next week, the Cavaliers sit right on the bubble. Virginia would almost surely lock up a spot if they made the semifinals in the ACC tournament, but it will be no easy task against North Carolina State.

They have beaten the Wolfpack once this season already, but this time around, the Wolfpack will show that they are the superior team and leave the Cavaliers nervous about whether they make it into the tournament or not.

Pick: North Carolina State

Florida State vs. North Carolina

Many people wondered if the Tar Heels would even make the tournament this year. North Carolina came up clutch down the stretch though by winning six of their final seven games to all but lock up a tournament bid.

One of those six wins was a 21 point massacre of Florida State. While it may not be so ugly this time, after watching that game, it is hard to imagine that the Seminoles could beat the Tar Heels.

Pick: North Carolina

Maryland vs. Duke

There are some big things on the line for both of these sides coming into the ACC Tournament. If Maryland manages to upset Duke like they did in February, they could find themselves in position to go to the NCAA Tournament. On the other hand, while Duke is clearly a lock for the NCAA Tournament, if they win the ACC title they could clinch the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament on Sunday.

There are lots on the line for both teams in this one. When Duke has Ryan Kelly on the floor, they are undefeated this season. Ryan Kelly will be there on Friday.

Pick: Duke

Semifinals

North Carolina State vs. Miami

Miami narrowly escaped the clutches of North Carolina State once this season. Doing it for a second time will be difficult, but the Canes are the team who can get it done.

Miami has had stellar play from their guards all season long, and while the Wolfpack have some NBA talent on their roster, the Hurricanes are simply a better team than North Carolina State.

Expect a very close game, but Miami has something to prove in this tournament.

Pick: Miami

North Carolina vs. Duke

Do not expect North Carolina to just roll over like they did Saturday night against the Blue Devils at home, but they may not have a choice. Duke has their sights set on the No. 1 seed in the country, and the Blue Devils are playing their best basketball of the season right now.

North Carolina is playing some of their best basketball right now as well, with the exception of Saturday night's massacre, but when both teams are at their best, the Blue Devils are much better.

Pick: Duke

Championship Game

Duke vs. Miami

The first meeting between these two teams got ugly fast. Duke did not have Ryan Kelly in that game, though. When they had Kelly in their meeting two Saturdays ago it was a closely competitive game, but Duke proved to be too much for the Hurricanes to deal with.

Miami is here to prove they really are the best team in this conference. Duke is here to prove not only that they are the best in the conference, but that they are the best in the country.

On a neutral court, we should have one great title game in the ACC. Experience ultimately wins out, though, and Duke brings that experience with them.

Pick: Duke