Around the ACC: Week 12 (Basketball)
Starting out with the top of the conference, No. 9 Virginia will look to continue its current two game winning streak as they play Georgia Tech and North Carolina.
The Cavaliers already faced and defeated Georgia Tech in late January in what was a close 64-62 win. The game ended with both teams not making a shot for the final 1:07 after Virginia’s Kihei Clark hit a layup to take the lead in what was his only points of the game.
This will be their first time taking on North Carolina this season who is fresh off a win against rival Duke.
There is still uncertainty around the No. 17 Florida State program as the Seminoles have not played a game since Jan. 30 due to COVID-19. The team has had its last three games cancelled including a matchup against No. 18 Virginia Tech.
That Virginia Tech team will have a few days off before taking on Louisville.
The Hokies are coming off an overtime win against Miami where they won 80-76. The road to get to overtime was even tough, as Hunter Cattoor hit a game tying three with just one second left in the game. Virginia Tech then went on to dominante the overtime period only allowing two points.
Another team with postponed games is Louisville as the Cardinals will miss their next game against Pitt due to COVID-19, which includes the team's head coach Chris Mack contracting the virus. As previously mentioned, the Cardinals are still scheduled to face off against Virginia Tech at the end of the week but assistant Dino Gaudio will replace Mack as the team's head coach for the game.
Probably the biggest game from last week was the famous North Carolina-Duke rivalry.
Although neither team was ranked, the game was still broadcasted on ESPN and ended up being a close one. It was a 89-87 Tar Heel lead until Duke’s Wendell Moore Jr. turned the ball over allowing North Carolina to sink the game clinching free throws. Caleb Love led the Tar Heels with 25 points and 7 assists as they edged out a 91-87 win.
As of right now, Virginia leads the conference with a 9-1 record and currently holds a 1.5 game lead over Virginia Tech. The Hokies have the tiebreaker over the Cavaliers after a 65-51 win back in January.
Florida State is technically in second place in the conference based on win percentage. Although the Seminoles have only played eight conference games, their .750 win percentage is good enough for the second place spot.
With nine teams four or less games back of first place, it should make for an interesting finish as March Madness approaches.
Logan Bourandas is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him email lxb5412@psu.edu.
