It’s a very busy day in the ACC. Two of the top teams play when UNC hosts Duke and two of the worst play when Pitt hosts Notre Dame.
Here are the two games we feel the best about:
FLORIDA ST. (-11) at WAKE FOREST, 12 p.m.
Pick: Florida St. (-11)
Wake Forest (11-18) played the game of its life last time out in a heartbreaking loss to Duke. It’s doubtful the Demon Deacons will have anything left today against Florida State (24-6).
The Seminoles have been a little under the radar this season, playing behind the big three of UNC, Duke and Virginia. Watch out for this team in the tournament. The ‘Noles made it to the Elite Eight last year and could do damage again.
Saturday they’ll close the season on the road with a blowout win over Wake. FSU is 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games against the Demon Deacons and that trend should continue.
DUKE (+3.5) at NORTH CAROLINA, 6 p.m.
Pick: North Carolina (-3.5)
I went with the home team the last time these two teams played and got burned. I’ll try it again with the Tar Heels (25-5) in the Dean Dome where they are 13-2 this season.
This series doesn’t generally end in a sweep, but Duke (26-4) without Zion isn’t Duke. It’s like the Beatles without John Lennon, it kind of makes them Wings.
It’s been that kind of the year in the ACC this season. Duke (with Zion) swept Virginia (the Cavs only two losses of the season). Virginia swept North Carolina. And now the Heels get to sweep the Blue Devils.
If North Carolina wins Saturday -- and we’re thinking they will -- it will be hard to not give the Heels a No. 1 seed next week. For that matter you have to ask yourself if the ACC doesn’t deserve an unprecedented three No. 1 seeds. I think they do.