Palmetto Trees and Tobacco Leaves Basketball Preview

Tuesday: Wake Forest @ Clemson 

After a thirty point win over the NC State Wolf Pack last Saturday the Deacons will travel to Clemson to face Brad Brownells Tigers. The tigers have only won 2 of their last 11 and appear to have squandered any opportunity to make the NCAA Tournament. The Deacons should go into Little John and come out with another ACC road win after all Clemson just took Duke to the wire in Cameron on Sunday and is most likely worn out from that effort. Prediction: Deacons 75 Tigers 66 

Wednesday: 11 North Carolina @ NC State 

Things are not well in Raleigh as Athletic Director Debbie Yow had to give the dreaded vote of confidence if you could call it that after the Packs loss in Winston-Salem Saturday. Mark Gottfried is fighting for his job at this point at least in my opinion but I could be wrong. Gottfried has a talented Wolf Pack team and I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to show up against a team that absolutely embarrassed them early this year in the Dean Dome. Mark said it best this is still the team that went to Cameron Indoor and beat the Blue Devils earlier this year. However I'm still going with Heels but it will be a lot closer than last time. Prediction UNC 85 STATE 82 

Wednesday: #12 Duke @ #14 Virginia 

Coach K is back and the Blue Devils still look like a team that can't seem to put it all together. Don't get me wrong they are still winning basketball games but its going to take more effort to beat Tony Bennett's Cavaliers in Charlottesville Wednesday night. Virginia who is coming off a big week with a win over Louisville home also just loss to an improving Virginia Tech team in Blacksburg. This one will be fun and I strongly recommend you watch. Prediction Virginia 66 Duke 53 

Wednesday: Arkansas @ 21 South Carolina 

The Gamecocks bounced back after a 4OT loss to Alabama with a win in Starkville over Ben Howlands MSU Bulldogs last Saturday while the Razorbacks went to Baton Rouge and got an 8-point win over last place LSU. The Gamecocks are tied for first in the SEC and are looking to capture there first regular season crown since 1997. Arkansas sits in fourth behind the Gamecocks, Wildcats, and Gators and are looking to make a late run the NCAA tournament and a win over the Gamecocks would do wonders for that effort. Prediction Gamecocks 74 Razorbacks 70 

Saturday: Clemson @ Miami 

Jim Laranaga will most likely scratch out a NCAA tournament bid with this Hurricanes team that has found ways to win all year long especially in Coral Gables. This will most likely put the final nail in the coffin for the Tigers NCAA tournament hopes. Prediction Hurricanes 83 Tigers 71 

Saturday: #25 Notre Dame @ NC State 

Notre Dame was once one of the hottest teams in the country but after cooling off and dropping out of the ACC lead the Irish are clawing their way back. This game will be a big one for Mark Gottfried and company especially if the Pack drops their home game to the Tar Heels earlier in the week. Still if the pack can limit Bonzie Colson and Steve Vastura they may have a chance. Dennis Smith needs to have big game in this one for it to happen but I am going with the Pack. Prediction NC State 76 Notre Dame 70 

Saturday: Wake Forest @ # 12 Duke 

The Deacons will attempt to go to Cameron Indoor and beat the Blue Devils just as NC State did earlier this year without Coach K on hand. However the Deacons will have Coach K to contest with as he is back on the bench for the Devils and even though Danny Manning's squad is gaining momentum its still Cameron Indoor and the Devils will find a way to win. Prediction Duke 78 Wake 70 

Saturday: #14 Virginia @ #10 North Carolina 

Virginia gets to travel the the Dean Dome after hosting Duke at home earlier in the week to wrap up whats a tough stretch for the Cavaliers. This has the potential to be a similiar week to last week as I expect the cavaliers to drop their second game of the week for the second straight week. Prediction UNC 72 Virginia 65 

Saturday: #21 South Carolina @ Vanderbilt 

Bryce Drew has had a decent year in year number one in Nashville but after last Saturdays blowout loss to Missouri the commodores are reeling. The Gamecocks are continuing to impress in Sindarius Thornwells senior year and I expect the gamecocks to pick up another road win and to hold onto first place in the conference. Gamecocks 83 Commodores 72