2017 ACC Tournament Guide: Preview, predictions, TV schedule, bracket

Live from The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York comes your 2017 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Miami Hurricanes (20-10, 10-8 ACC) head into postseason play with the ninth seed, a first-round bye, and a date with the Syracuse Orange (18-13, 10-8 ACC) at noon this coming Wednesday.

That one week ranked in the Top-25 was nice, no doubt, but Jim Larranaga’s team has bigger and better things to focus on. Should the Hurricanes defeat Syracuse, they’ll meet the odds-on favorite, the North Carolina Tar Heels the following day at noon. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves ...

Without further ado, we present to you the SOTU’s ACC Tourney predictions, followed by scheduling info and your ‘Canes Hoops postseason threads (thanks, Adidas).

No. 9 Miami vs. No. 8 Syracuse | Mar. 7, 12 p.m. | ESPN/ACC Network

Jeremy Fialkow: “Give me the ‘Canes in this one. While the re-insertion of Ja’Quan Newton into Coach L’s starting lineup — post suspension — has seemingly put Miami’s offense into a funk, I’d look for the veteran presence of senior G Davon Reed to lead the way into the third round of play. ‘Canes 71-’Cuse 63”

Max Thoma: “Canes shoot well over the zone and win a nail-biter. Big game for Dejan Vasiljevic”

Cam Underwood: “I wrote this in my Q&A with TNIAAM, but I have Syracuse winning by 5. I think their length and Miami's newfound struggles on offense are the perfect recipe for a 1-and-done ACC Tourney for the Canes.”

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Dark Horse Champions

JF: Louisville Cardinals — “Fine, this may not exactly count as a ‘dark horse’ candidate, but if there’s one team to know off the ACC’s No. 1 UNC, it’s the Cards. After a double-bye to start, UL will face either Duke, NC State and Clemson, the former being the only squad who may present a challenge to Rick Pitino’s squad led by the dynamic Quentin Snider—Donovan Mitchell backcourt. “

MT: Wake Forest — ”Ok, yes they play on day one of the tournament, but this team has been in every single game they’ve played over the last 2 months, if they can finish games strong the Demon Deacons could certainly rattle off some wins.”

CU: Virginia Tech — “If they can keep shooting 83% from 3, over the course of 3 (potential) ACC tourney games, then they might be able to sneak away with the title.”

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ACC Tournament MVP

JF: Quentin Snider, UL — “‘Canes fans across the nation saw what a little bit of Snider can do for the Cardinals, with their backs against the wall and with the junior star coming off a three week absence from a hip injury, they gutted out a 71-66 comeback win on month ago. He’ll get that MVP trophy when all is said and done.”

MT: Joel Berry, UNC — “Might seem like a strange pick but I see UNC going far in this and not only has Berry led them in points the last couple games but he can take games over late.”

CU: Justin Jackson, UNC — “A safe pick, I know, but he's the best player on the best team and if Carolina wins the ACCT, it will likely be due in large part to the play of Justin Jackson.”

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ACC Tournament Champs

JF: Louisville — “You saw my spiel above. UL will topple the favorites in UNC and FSU.”

MT: Florida State — “the ‘Noles have the easiest road to the championship and the size to control games on the glass, which could be key if they play UNC.”

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Uni-Watch | Pure

Tuesday, First round

Noon – No. 12 Clemson vs. No. 13 North Carolina State (ESPN2)

2 p.m. – No. 10 Wake Forest vs. No. 15 Boston College (ESPN2)

7 p.m. – No. 11 Georgia Tech vs. No. 14 Pittsburgh (ESPNU)

Wednesday, Second round

Noon – No. 8 Syracuse vs. No. 9 Miami (ESPN)

2 p.m. – No. 5 Duke vs. Tuesday noon winner (ESPN)

7 p.m. – No. 7 Virginia Tech vs. Tuesday 2 p.m. winner (ESPN2)

9 p.m. – No. 6 Virginia vs. Tuesday 7 p.m. winner (ESPN2)

Thursday, Quarterfinals

Noon – No. 1 North Carolina vs. Wednesday noon winner (ESPN)

2 p.m. – No. 4 Louisville vs. Wednesday 2 p.m. winner (ESPN)

7 p.m. – No. 2 Florida State vs. Wednesday 7 p.m. winner (ESPN)

9 p.m. – No. 3 Notre Dame vs. Wednesday 9 p.m. winner (ESPN)

Friday, Semifinals

7 p.m. – Thursday afternoon winners (ESPN or ESPN2)

9 p.m. – Thursday evening winners (ESPN or ESPN2)

Saturday, Championship

9 p.m. – Friday evening winners (ESPN)