Canes Open ACC Tourney in a Tough One

The ACC Regular Season has concluded with the Hurricanes finishing 5th in the league. They will begin ACC Tournament play on Thursday at 2pm ET against last place North Carolina State ( Raycom and ESPN 360 will carry the game). This is a tough draw for the Canes. Not only does NC State have a history of deep runs in the ACC Tournament when little is expected of them (like last season for example, and who can forget 1997?) but they also have recent history working in their favor: Since the ACC expanded in 2004-05 the last place team HAS ALWAYS upset the highest seeded team playing on the opening day. Miami was twice part of this scenario: being upset by Virginia in 2005 and upsetting Maryland last year.

Add to the fact that this game is in Charlotte and this could be a very damaging loss in front of a very hostile crowd. But the Hurricanes have nobody to blame but themselves. They lost yesterday and despite the officiating, the Canes had an opportunity to not put the officials in a position to decide the game.

The loss earlier this year to NC State was about as heartbreaking as they come. NC State scored seven points in the last :17.8 of overtime thanks to some bonehead plays by Anthony King to steal a win. Miami must feel they are owed a game, and better come out to play. We know the Wolfpack have no tomorrow: no NIT, no NCAA without a win, so they like Miami a year will be hungry and firing everything in their arsenal at the Canes. J.J. Hickson is a skilled, athletic big man, and Brandon Costner has been a bit of a disappointment this season, but this game gives the Pack a chance to make some magic. We'll get more into the key match ups for the game tomorrow or Tuesday.