News Every Day | 04 January 2025, 16:00

ACC Roundup - A Really Big Saturday Ahead

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - DECEMBER 11: Tae Davis #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish dunks the ball over Brandon Mitchell-Day #21 of the Dartmouth Big Green during the first half at Purcell Pavilion on December 11, 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. | Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

There should be some good ones this weekend

Saturday is a big day for ACC Action with nine league games on the same day. If we’re not mistaken, that’s the first time that’s ever happened.

The fun starts with Boston College at Georgia Tech, then Wake Forest hosts NC State. UNC visits Notre Dame, Miami goes up to Virginia Tech, Louisville jets over the mountains to Virginia, Syracuse heads down to FSU and Stanford and Cal swap road opponents from the last game, with Stanford at Pitt and Cal taking on Clemson.

There are a lot of interesting scenarios and questions Saturday. Let’s start at the top!

Boston College and Georgia Tech is a tough one...we like Boston College because the Eagles play hard more consistently. Realistically though, Tech has more talent and should win.

Wake and State should be interesting but the Deacs may be slightly better and more balanced. State hasn’t really developed a go-to on offense and that has hurt them already. This is a critical game for UNC which is already on the bubble. UNC will have to control Tae Davis inside, but otherwise, the Tar Heels should have the advantage. Ian Jackson is really coming on fast and the Heels should be able to overcome the Irish.

Miami moves on to Game 2 in the post-Larranaga era. It’s becoming a depressing season but Virginia Tech is a winnable game. Doesn’t mean they’ll rise to the occasion, but it is a game Miami could win. Virginia Tech hasn’t played very well either.

We really like the progress that Louisville has made. Shooting is still erratic but Louisville is developing into a tough, united team. It’s radically different from what we saw under Kenny Payne. The Cards are increasingly confident. You can’t say that about Virginia. Things have pretty much gone sideways since Tony Bennett’s surprising retirement. The offense isn’t that imposing and the defense isn’t what it once was. One side is rising, the other is fading. Gotta go with Louisville here. Trivia: Louisville hasn’t won at Virginia in 34 years.

Syracuse is up and down and clearly missing JJ Starling, the focus of the offense, who is out with a hand injury.

On the other hand, Florida State has a circus with the lawsuit filed against Leonard Hamilton. The suit was filed by former players who allege that Hamilton promised them significant NIL money and didn't pay it.

This is a tough one...injury-damaged offense vs. players that turned on their coach. Okay, former players! But still.

We’ll have to stick with the ‘Noles here, assuming they play hard.

Stanford and Cal, the Bay Area Bobbsey Twins of the ACC, did better last time out than we expected, but it’ll be tough for both this time too. Former Blue Devil Jaylen Blakes had seven turnovers against Clemson and Pitt’s defense isn’t bad either. He’ll have to do better. On other hand, Pitt may have a tough time with Maxime Raynaud, who has been terrific for Stanford so far. However, Pitt’s guards, overall, are probably better.

Back to Cal: Clemson’s defense is probably going to be too much for the Bears. Brad Brownell is a tremendous coach and the Tigers are at home. Hard to pick Cal here. Maybe next time.

Special note: Cal’s Jeremiah Wilkinson is from Powder Springs, Georgia, which isn’t too bad of a drive. He’ll have some folks there to shine for.

Saturday’s ACC Action