Florida State’s Christ Koumadje drives to the basket against Virginia Tech  Thursday (Chuck Burton)
Florida State’s Christ Koumadje drives to the basket against Virginia Tech Thursday (Chuck Burton)Associated Press

NCAAB Friday: Chalking The ACC Semifinals

Virginia-Florida St., Duke-North Carolina
Published on

The ACC semifinals are Friday in Charlotte with top-seed Virginia taking on Florida State in the opener and Duke and North Carolina going at it in the nightcap. Here’s our selections:

FLORIDA ST. (+9) vs. VIRGINIA, 7 p.m.
Pick: Virginia (-9)

Let me start by saying I really like Florida State (26-6) and coach Leonard Hamilton and think this team will be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament, just as it was last year.

With that said, Virginia (29-2) looks to be on a mission this season. The Cavs have won nine straight and haven’t lost to anyone not named Duke.

The fact the line is nine tells you a lot. It’s that high for a reason and the reason is Virginia is going to roll again. It doesn’t help the Seminoles that they had a knock-down/drag-out overtime game with a tough Virginia Tech team Thursday.

Take the Cavs despite the heavy line.

DUKE (-3) vs. NORTH CAROLINA, 9 p.m.
Pick:
Duke (-3)

I was going to pass on this game and say “just sit back and enjoy’’, but that’s not why you come here. You want a selection.

Has any team, or coach, ever beaten Coach K three times in a season? Roy Williams and the Tar Heels get the chance, and may get another chance in the Final Four.

I would have never thought this at the beginning of the season, or even in the middle of the season, but Duke (27-5) needs this game more than the Tar Heels (27-5) do.

If Duke wins, all three ACC teams should be No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tourney (they should be anyway, but a Duke win should end any and all arguments).

Don’t go crazy here, but if you must, take Duke just because.

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