2:00 p.m. ET: Boston College Eagles (11-19) vs Pittsburgh Panthers (11-20)
Spread: Boston College -2
Total: 129
The Pittsburgh Panthers are set to play the Boston College Eagles in the ACC Tournament. Boston College is outscoring Pittsburgh 66 PPG to 62 PPG. Pittsburgh allows 68.1 points to opponents and has been outscored by 6.1 points per game. Boston College gives up 68.5 points to opponents and has been outscored by 2.1 points per game. These teams meet for the 3rd time after the teams split in the regular season, each winning home games. Pittsburgh prevailed 69-67 on Jan. 8 and Boston College won 69-56 on Jan. 30. Boston College ended the regular season with 3 straight losses and Pittsburgh has lost 4 straight. Pittsburgh barely got away with the win at home and Boston College covered easily at home, Boston College plays slightly better defense and has more offensive consistency. Though both teams have struggled lately, Boston College has kept games close and Pitt has been getting blown out. This is a battle between two bad teams but Boston College has the better chance to get the job done in this game. The favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings.
4:30 p.m. ET: NC State Wolfpack (11-20) vs Clemson Tigers (16-15)
Spread: Clemson -4.5
Total: 143.5
The Clemson Tigers square off against the NC State Wolf Pack in the first round of the ACC Tournament. The Tigers went 11-5 at home this season and the Wolf Pack were 4-16 in conference matchups. The teams square off for the second time this season after Clemson won the last matchup 70-65 on Jan. 8. PJ Hall scored 20 to help lead Clemson to the victory, and Seabron scored 27 points for NC State. NC State leads the ACC with 9.9 offensive rebounds per game led by Dereon Seabron averaging 2.6. Collins is averaging 10.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Tigers and Seabron is averaging 17.3 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Wolf Pack. Clemson won its final four regular-season games, capped off by a 63-59 win over Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Wolfpack, on the other hand, have lost four games in a row by an average of 14 points, finishing out the regular season with an 89-76 road loss at Florida State. NC State can score but the Tigers have allowed just 63.3 ppg over their last 4 games. Clemson is also finally healthy and NC State looks ready for the season to end. The Wolfpack have covered just once in their last 11 games in a win over Georgia Tech. NC State ranks 315th nationally in defensive efficiency. Eight of NC State’s last 10 opponents have shot 50% or better. Look for Clemson to try to finish the season strong.
7:00 p.m. ET: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (12-19) vs Louisville Cardinals (12-18)
Spread: Louisville -1.5
Total: 135
The Louisville Cardinals play in the first round of the ACC Tournament against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Louisville went 2-0 against Georgia Tech in the regular season, winning 67-64 and 74-58. Noah Locke is averaging 9.5 points for the Cardinals and Devoe is averaging 18 points and 3.2 assists for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech won the ACC tournament last March, beating Florida State in the finals and earning its first NCAA Tournament bid under Pastner. Louisville has lost 4 straight games and 9 of the last 10 and looks like they gave up on the season. Georgia Tech is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog while Louisville is 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 games following an ATS loss. Even though Louisville has had the upper hand this season, the Yellow Jackets are playing better right now, and given last year’s conference tournament success, you have to get some credit to Pastner to possibly pull off another miracle and at least advance to the 2nd round.
9:00 p.m. ET: Saint Mary’s Gaels (25-6) vs Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-3)
Spread: Gonzaga -12.5
Total: 141.5
The #17 Saint Mary’s Gaels and the #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs square off again in the WCC tournament. The teams meet for the 3rd time this season after they split two regular-season meetings, including the Gaels’ epic 67-57 takedown of the visiting Bulldogs on Feb. 26. Gonzaga won the first meeting 74-58 at home on Feb. 12. Gonzaga leads the WCC in rebounding, averaging 38.8 boards. Chet Holmgren leads the Bulldogs with 9.6 rebounds. Saint Mary’s ranks 5th in the WCC shooting 34.9% from deep. Tommy Kuhse leads the Gaels shooting 44.9% from 3-point range. Bulldogs stars Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren will be seeking redemption after each player was held to just 6 points in the recent outing against Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s is playing well right now and at the right time but facing a Gonzaga team looking for revenge, especially from its top players will be a tough challenge. The Bulldogs won’t be letting their foot off the gas in this one to get the big win.