Seems appropriate to have a thread on how the ACC is shaking out, as we're nearing its final 3 weeks; and there's an obvious top half and obvious bottom half.
First, here's a bit of news: P.J. Hairston to miss Sat v UVa.
http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...cavaliers-game
To take the longer view, here's a look at the ACC hopefuls. One caveat, to me as much as to you: in what follows, I sometimes refer to "should win." I understand that this is no guarantee, and FSU @ BC proved that, even more than Duke @ UNC. I'm confident K is preparing for the Terps, not reading EK. Still, one cannot predict standings, and argue about said predictions, if one reduces all games to "anybody can beat anybody." What follows is mostly serious.
Duke - 5 "should wins" [SW, hereafter]: Md, NCSt [borderline SW?], @ BC, VT, @ Wake. 2 toss-ups: @ FSU, UNC. Our team would have to play with uncharacteristically consistent excellence to get to 14-2. So, we'll be thrilled with 13-3, losing only to, what the hell, Wake. [I'm not actually predicting this loss, but if I had a magic wand and could choose 6 wins and 1 loss, I choose to lose @ Wake.]
UNC - 3 SWs: home v UVa, Clemson, & Md. But then 3 borderline toss-ups: @ to Miami, NCSt, and UVa. Plus definite toss-up in CIS. Give 'em 13-3, losing in the 3d overtime on 3/3, by a 3-bomb. Duke nabs ACCT 1-seed....
FSU - I count a mere 2 SWs: home games w/ VT and Clemson. Leaving 5 toss-ups: Duke, 2 games with Miami, and @ NCSt and @ UVa. 12-4, maybe?
UVa - Tough schedule. Two with UNC, and I don't believe the Cavs will win either of those. They have no, zero, games remaining with BC, GaT, or Wake. I count but 2 SWs: Md and @ Clemson. That leaves 3 toss-ups: @ Md, @ VT, home v FSU. 10-6.
Miami - I give them 3 SWs: home v Wake and BC, @ Md. Probably 4 toss-ups, though they have a quick turnaround with an early aft game tomorrow at FSU. Larranaga says Reggie doesn't recover quickly after a game, so I think FSU wins tomorrow. The other 3 toss-ups are home with FSU and UNC, and @ NCSt. 10-6.
NCSt - Maybe, maybe 2 SWs: @ Clemson, @ VT. Then 4 toss-ups, at best: @ Duke, and home games w/ UNC, FSU, Miami. 10-6.
One of the top 6 probably winds up 9-7.