ACC Tournament: Who Plays Who, Who Needs It Most and Who Wins It All

The 2011 ACC Tournament begins this Thursday afternoon, and as always, there is a lot on the line for many of the teams.

First things first. As of this minute, only three teams from the conference are more or less guaranteed a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

North Carolina enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed following their big victory over Duke on Saturday night. Aside from those top two seeds, Florida State is the third team from the conference who is basically assured a spot in the big dance starting March 17.

Three teams finished 9-7 in the ACC this season, and all three have a chance to secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament with an impressive showing this week. Clemson, Boston College and Virginia Tech need at least one win.

But perhaps the most exciting thing about conference tournaments as that any team can win it, and therefore every team is still holding out hope for a spot in the big dance in less than two weeks. All 12 teams could still hear their name on Selection Sunday if they can three or four more games, depending on where they start.

The top four seeds earned a first-round bye and will not have to play until Friday. The other eight will tip-off on Thursday, and here is a look at what could take place in the Greensboro Coliseum this week.

No. 8 vs. No. 9: Virginia vs. Miami

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CORAL GABLES, FL - FEBRUARY 13: Reggie Johnson #42 of the Miami Hurricanes attempts to pass the ball while being defended by Mason Plumlee #5 of the Duke Blue Devils on February 13, 2011 at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Joel Au

Virginia is the higher seed, but Miami has the talent to come out of this game on top. With Reggie Johnson inside and Durand Scott knocking down shots from the outside, I like the 'Canes to come out with a first-round victory.

Mike Scott leads the way for the Cavaliers, but he will not be enough.

No. 5 vs. No. 12: Boston College vs. Wake Forest

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 09: A Boston College cheerleaders cheers on her team during their game against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park on January 9, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Eagles are playing solid basketball, and need at least to beat the Demon Deacons to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. That should not be a problem against the team who won just one conference game and just got blown out by B.C. on Sunday.

Boston College is led by Reggie Jackson and Corey Raji in the backcourt, while Joe Trapani will get some open looks from behind the three-point line.

Wake Forest will have no answer to stop them, just like they have had no answers this entire season.

No. 7 vs. No. 10: Maryland vs. North Carolina State

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COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 23: Jordan Williams #20 of the Maryland Terrapins celebrates against the Florida State Seminoles at the Comast Center on February 23, 2011 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Both teams have been somewhat disappointing this season, and this may very well be the final game for Sidney Lowe to coach the Wolfpack.

The Terps should come out on top in this one, with Jordan Williams leading the way inside. Maryland would likely need to run the table or at least reach the finals to have any hope, but they should still live to play at least one more game.

No. 6 vs. No. 11: Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech

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WINSTON-SALEM, NC - JANUARY 21: Malcolm Delaney #23 and teammate Jeff Allen #0 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrate as they run to the bench against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during their game at Lawrence Joel Coliseum on January 21, 2009 in Winston

Following their huge win over Duke on Feb. 26, it appeared as if an at-large bid was well within their grasp. Dick Vitale told them to relax.

Unfortunately, they took his advice literally, and were upset in their final two games by Boston College and Clemson. Both losses were against good teams, but they way they lost both will not help their chances.

They need to beat the Yellow Jackets, and that should not be a problem. Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Green will be too strong for Iman Shumpert and Glen Rice, Jr. 

No. 1 North Carolina vs. MIA/VIR Winner

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 05: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates winning the ACC Regular Season Championship with his players as they defeated the Duke Blue Devils 81-67 at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 5, 2011 in Chapel

The Tar Heels are on fire, and could climb as high as number five or six in the country when the new polls are released today. The ACC champs enter the tournament as one of the hottest teams in America.

Regardless of who they face in the second round, North Carolina should come out on top.

No. 2 Duke vs. MARY/NCST Winner

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 05: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts to a call against the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 5, 2011 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Blue Devils have lost two of their last three games. While many are saying it is time to panic, I am not quite ready to jump on that bandwagon yet.

With senior leadership from Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler, as well as Seth Curry burying three-pointers, Duke should destroy whoever wins the game between the Terps and Wolfpack.

No. 3 Florida State vs. VT/GT Winner

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Chris Singleton #31 of the Florida State Seminoles looks on towards the end of the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010 in Buffalo, N

This game could come down to one key player for the Seminoles.

If Chris Singleton is able to come back and play his first game since Feb. 12, then FSU is a very dangerous team.

If he cannot play in the second round, there is a strong chance that the Hokies could wind up playing—and defeating—the 'Noles. 

Either way, it will be a very big game with plenty of tournament implications.

No. 4 Clemson vs. BC/WAKE Winner

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CLEMSON, SC - JANUARY 13: Demontez Stitt #2 of the Clemson Tigers against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Littlejohn Coliseum on January 13, 2010 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This is a must-win situation for the Tigers. If they drop this one to either B.C. or Wake, then they can kiss their NCAA Tournament hopes goodbye.

A win over the Eagles would keep them right in the thick of things, so this game could decide who gets the fourth berth from the conference.

SemifInals: Top Part of the Bracket

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 05: Harrison Barnes #40 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates winning the ACC Regular Season Championship as they defeated the Duke Blue Devils 81-67 at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 5, 2011 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

All things point to the Tar Heels reaching the semifinals, but nothing is guaranteed. 

Yes, they should beat Miami or Virginia. A game against Clemson or B.C. would not be an easy one, but one they should come out of nonetheless.

If they play the Tigers, while the game is not in the Dean Smith Center, it would be close enough to make Clemson feel like it is still a road game, where they cannot win.

Semifinals: Bottom Part of the Bracket

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DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 23: The Temple Owls watch on as Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 23, 2011 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Anyone who is counting out Duke is making a big mistake. They are not done—not by a long shot.

The Blue Devils should defeat Maryland or North Carolina State. They will most likely blow them out of the arena.

If they play Florida State, we all know what happened earlier this season. FSU won at home, but this game would be different, especially without Chris Singleton.

If they play Virginia Tech in this round, we all know that the Blue Devils lost to the Hokies a couple of weeks back as well.

But both of Duke's losses to these teams came on the road. They should be able to defeat either one this time around.

Finals: Which Rematch Will We Get?

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CHAPEL HILL, NC - MARCH 05: A general view of the tip off between the Duke Blue Devils and the Carolina Tar Heels during their game at the Dean E. Smith Center on March 5, 2011 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The seeding tells us that we could get another classic matchup between North Carolina and Duke. Unfortunately, history tells us otherwise.

History tells us that these two teams rarely meet in the postseason. As great as it would be to watch one more time, you have to figure that one—or both—may not make it to this point.

But if the Tar Heels and/or Blue Devils do not reach the finals, then who will?

Could it be Clemson vs. Virginia Tech? What about Boston College vs. Florida State? Could we see Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech?

Really?

No one knows for sure, but the fans and television folks are certainly hoping for round three between UNC and Duke.