It is UNC vs Clemson in the ACC Finals

For the third day in a row we Tar Heels fans get to have that wonderful feeling of turning on the television and seeing our basketball team play. Today North Carolina (31-2, 16-2 in the ACC) will meet a Clemson (24-8, 12-6 in the ACC) squad that is looking for revenge against the Heels. Yes, this is the same team that had two close games against UNC this year, that in reality could both have been wins for the Tigers had one or two things, or should I say free throws, fallen their way. But the reality this year is that Carolina has played in many of these tight games (yesterday included) and found a way to win.

Most of the Tar Heels fans don't like this matchup and would have much preferred facing Duke once again. I see it a bit differently, first off being that there's no way that the Blue Devils would have two off nights from three point land, making them a team that could easily come out and hit 50% of their shots beyond the arch, and that alone would be hard to overcome. But more importantly is that by knocking off Duke, and because Tennessee was also eliminated, UNC would be a lock (in my opinion, as well as many so-called experts`) to have the number one seed in the East. So, yes, in the near future, meaning this game, it might be the tougher of the two, but for the NCAA this matchup means that North Carolina will not leave their state until it's time to head out for the Final Four in San Antonio.

Of course, this game is going to be one of those in which UNC needs to prove a point. Too many speculations about how Clemson could have won the first one or the return in Chapel Hill. Head Coach Roy Williams needs to get this team to say to themselves "one good showing and then we have some time off to prepare for the NCAA". I think the key to this game is for the Heels to break down the pressure that Clemson likes to throw at their opponents. If they can do that you have easy baskets and they'll have to let up on it. If instead Ty Lawson or Quentin Thomas get caught in the traps, you'll see this more and more. The other two sectors of this matchup where the game can be won or loss is rebounding. Whoever wins the war of the boards gets a decisive edge on the other and outside shooting for the Heels. If Wayne Ellington and Danny Green can step up early on and give more space for UNC's big men to operate in, this will create a lot of one on one and get the Clemson front court in foul trouble.

I also think that Clemson gave a lot in order to beat Duke. That doesn't mean that UNC didn't give a lot to overcome Virginia Tech, but after watching both games I would have to say that the Heels are more fresh than the Tigers. The Vegas line on the game is showing the Heels as favorites by 6 points. I would have to say that's about right. This is going to be a close game, even if I wish it would be a blowout so people would stop saying that Clemson this and that. But in the end, it's the team that raises the trophy and cuts down the net that matters and not the score that it was done by. So, I see UNC winning the ACC Tournament for the second year in a row and then preparing itself for a huge run in the NCAA's.