Saturday, Jan. 14
N.C. State (12-5, 1-1) at Wake Forest (10-6, 1-1)
When: 1 p.m.
Where: Winston-Salem, NC, Joel Coliseum (14,665)
Fast break: How does the Wolfpack respond to Wednesday’s home loss to Georgia Tech? That should determine the outcome of this game because State is more talented and at this time probably better coached. Wake has played above expectations in its two ACC games, but if it reverts back to its lose-at-home-to-Wofford form, the Pack will roll.
Forecast: N.C. State, 72-65.
North Carolina (15-2, 2-0) at Florida State (10-6, 1-1)
When: 2 p.m.
Where: Tallahassee, FL, Tucker Center (12,400)
Fast break: Carolina’s first road game since losing by a point at Kentucky on Dec. 3 could be a rough experience. FSU was picked to finish third in the ACC for a reason, but the Seminoles have easily been the league’s most disappointing team. If the Noles rise to the occasion and justify that prediction, even if for a day, they can knock off the vaunted Heels, even though they are completely dialed in. This should be a competitive game, but UNC can make shots at a much higher rate than FSU.
Forecast: UNC, 77-65.
Virginia Tech (11-5, 0-2) at Boston College (6-10, 1-1)
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Chestnut Hill, MA, Conte Forum (8,600)
Fast break: Well, so much for BC going down as the worst team in ACC history. The Eagles beat Clemson on Thursday night and will be quite confident when the erratic Hokies visit for this affair. Plain and simple: If Virginia Tech is ready to play and Erick Green has a nice game it will win. If not, it runs the risk of losing and further hurting its NCAA chances.
Forecast: VT, 67-63.
Sunday, Jan. 15
Georgia Tech (8-8, 1-1) at Maryland (11-4, 1-1)
When: 4 p.m.
Where: College Park, MD, Comcast Center (17,900)
Fast break: If the Yellow Jackets continue playing at the Comcast Center as they did in their first two ACC games, this will be a tussle and an entertaining game. Both teams are similar with their physical make ups, but the Terps might have a bit more talent and depth. It won’t come down to who outscores each other between Glen Rice Jr. of Georgia Tech and Terrell Stoglin of Maryland. It’s which team’s other guys step up more that will prove the difference.
Forecast: Maryland, 82-74.
Duke (14-2, 2-0) at Clemson (9-7, 1-1)
When: 6 p.m.
Where: Clemson, SC, Littlejohn Coliseum (11,000)
Fast break: Conventional wisdom suggests Duke will blow out the struggling Tigers. But Littlejohn Coliseum isn’t an easy place to play, and while Brad Brownell’s team is struggling, he’s a fine coach and should have his club ready to compete. Whether or not they’re capable of hitting enough shots to beat the Blue Devils is a different story, though.
Forecast: Duke, 72-59.
Andrew Jones’ record: 137-32
