1. North Carolina (28-4, 14-2)
Yesterday: beat Maryland 85-69
Today: vs. NC State (1 pm)- Previous Meetings: Won 74-55 in Chapel Hill, January 26th. Won 86-74 in Raleigh, February 21st.
Player to Watch: James Michael McAdoo, Freshman, Forward. The biggest story of yesterday's quarterfinal win over Maryland was not the way that North Carolina was able to grind out a win when they were not firing on all cylinders. It was not that Kendall Marshall set the ACC single season assist record while recording 12 yesterday. Rather, it was that all-conference and defensive player of the year John Henson went down in the first half with a left wrist injury. Coach Roy Williams said, "he could not grip the ball with his left hand". After he tried to come back, Henson stayed on the sidelines in the second half and was replaced by McAdoo. The freshman did a very adequate job, recording 14 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in 29 minutes of work. He should get his first start today, and will be counted on heavily as backup power forwards behind him are either little used Desmond Hubert or Harrison Barnes, who is obviously more comfortable as a swing forward. What's more? McAdoo will draw the matchup of CJ Leslie, who put up 19 points and 14 rebounds in NC State's three point win over Virginia.
2. Duke (27-5, 13-3)
Yesterday: Beat Virginia Tech 60-56
Today: vs. Florida State (3:30 pm)- Previous meetings: Lost 76-73 in Durham, January 21st. Won 74-66 in Tallahassee, February 23rd.
Player to Watch: Andre Dawkins, Junior, Guard. One could make an argument that Dawkins, one of the best pure shooters in the country, is the most inconsistent player in the country. In their loss Dawkins scored 14 points but was the culprit of a lack of defense in allowing Michael Snaer to be open for his buzzer beating shot. In their win over the Seminoles, Dawkins scored 22 points while shooting 6-9 from deep. Since that meeting, Duke has had four games and Dawkins has scored three total points on 1-12 shooting. The sense is that Dawkins, who has only average 11.5 minutes during that four game span, is spending a lot of time on the bench because of his lack of defensive intensity, especially compared to Tyler Thornton. Duke needs Dawkins' offense, especially since part of their philosophy is to jack up a lot of threes. What's more? He matches up well on the slower Delvydas Dulkys, who he helped hold to just three points in their last meeting.
3. Florida State (22-9, 12-4)
Yesterday: Beat Miami 82-71
Today: vs. Duke (3:30 pm)- Previous meetings: Won 76-73 in Durham, January 21st. Lost 74-66 in Tallahassee, February 23rd.
Player to Watch: Michael Snaer, Junior, Guard. Snaer has become the leader for the Seminoles, including the game high 20 points he scored in putting a real damper on Miami's NCAA tournament hopes on Friday. Snaer was voted second team all-conference while getting a spot on the all-defensive team. Snaer will be remember for the game winning shot against Duke in January but he also scored 14 points on 6-10 shooting, while getting his teammates involved, and did a good job of shutting down freshman of the year Austin Rivers. In the second game Snaer scored 18 points, but did it on 8-18 shooting, and Rivers was able to lead the Blue Devils to a rather easy victory. Snaer will probably be guard by Thornton, Duke's best defender, for the majority of the game and will need to get his teammates involved rather than settling for bad shots. What's more: He shuts down Rivers, who has been by far Duke's most consistent offensive threat, and Florida State's chances double.
5. NC State (22-11, 9-7)
Yesterday: Beat Virginia 67-64
Today: vs. North Carolina (1 pm)- Previous meetings: Lost 74-55 in Chapel Hill, January 26th. Lost 86-74 in Raleigh, February 21st.
Player to Watch: CJ Leslie, Junior, Forward. It would only be logical to think that the Wolfpack are ready to be blown out once again by North Carolina, who have already had no trouble in knocking off NC State twice. But there is a big difference this time. John Henson going down may have been better suited to come against any team in the conference besides Leslie and NC State. The junior has been red hot the last month of the season, earning himself a spot on the second team all-conference. Leslie (19 points, 14 rebounds, 9-11 FG) may have had the most impressive individual performance so far in the tournament in their victory over Virginia and his 24 point, 12 rebound game against North Carolina was just the tip of the iceberg. Without Henson in the post to guard him there's the though that Leslie should be able to use his talent to take over. What's more: Leslie shot 9-17 from the field in their second loss to the Tar Heels, his worst shooting night since a 6-16 night in a loss at Duke.
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