Category: Virginia

ACC Football Basketball School Rankings: Hoops and Helmets 2019-2020

Which ACC schools had the best and worst years in the two major sports – football and men’s basketball?

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Which ACC schools had the best and worst years in the two major sports – football and men’s basketball? Which fan bases got the glory, and which ones didn’t have any fun?

Contact @PeteFiutak

On the field and court – whose fans had the most fun?

Of course every school has sports outside of the big two that matter and generate revenue, but when it comes to what athletic departments need, it’s really all about college football and men’s basketball.

Which ACC schools had the best and worst seasons?

Here’s how these rankings work.

1) The top-ranked schools with teams that went to a bowl game and would’ve played in the NCAA Tournament.

2) The next group had stronger football seasons and were okay in basketball. The superstar basketball schools get credit – that’s obviously a huge deal in the ACC – but football is the bigger revenue generator.

3) One or the other. Usually there’s a disparity with one good season in one sport an a clunker in the other. It’s sort of a catch-all before …

4) The disasters. No bowl game, there wouldn’t have been a trip to the NCAA Tournament, no fun.

The worst-to-best ACC schools in 2019-2020 in college football and college basketball …

ACC Hoops and Helmets: Losers In Both Sports

These schools suffered the indignity of failing to come up with a winning season in either of the two major sports. The fans didn’t get to have any fun.

14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 85
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 114
Football: 3-9 overall, 2-6 in conference, 7th in ACC Coastal
Basketball: 17-14 overall, 11-9 in conference, 5th in ACC

13. Syracuse Orange

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 21
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 75
Football: 5-7 overall, 2-6 in conference, 6th in ACC Atlantic
Basketball: 16-15 overall, 10-10 in conference, T6th in ACC

12. NC State Wolfpack

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 37
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 14
Football: 4-8 overall, 1-7 in conference, 7th in ACC Atlantic
Basketball: 20-12 overall, 10-10 in conference, T6th in ACC

ACC Hoops and Helmets: Good In One Sport, Not The Other

11. Boston College Eagles

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking:  86
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 55
Football: 6-7 overall, 4-4 in conference, T3rd in ACC Atlantic
Basketball: 13-19 overall, 7-13 in conference, T10th in ACC

10. Miami Hurricanes

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 83
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 8
Football: 6-7 overall, 4-4 in conference, T3rd in ACC Coastal
Basketball: 15-16 overall, 7-13 in conference, T10th in ACC

9. North Carolina Tar Heels

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking:  64
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 67
Football: 7-6 overall, 4-4 in conference, T3rd in ACC Coastal
Basketball: 14-19 overall, 6-14 in conference, T13th

8. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking:  77
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 74
Football: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in conference, T3rd in ACC Atlantic
Basketball: 13-18 overall, 6-14 in conference, 14th in ACC

7. Pitt Panthers

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 65
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 117
Football: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in conference, T3rd in ACC Coastal
Basketball: 16-17 overall, 6-14 in conference, T13th in ACC

6. Duke Blue Devils

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 12
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 15
Football: 5-7 overall, 3-5 in conference, 6th in ACC Coastal
Basketball: 25-6 overall, 15-5 in conference, T2nd in ACC

5. Virginia Tech Hokies

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 22
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 17
Football: 8-5 overall, 5-3 in conference, 2nd in ACC Coastal
Basketball: 16-16 overall, 7-13 in conference, T10th in ACC

ACC Hoops and Helmets: Bowl and probably would’ve made the NCAA Tournament

OR, if something massive happened in one sport – like football – for one particular school.

4. Florida State Seminoles

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 53
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 16
Football: 6-7 overall, 4-4 in conference, T3rd in ACC Atlantic
Basketball: 26-5 overall, 16-4 in conference, 1st in ACC

3. Louisville Cardinals

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking:  75
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 46
Football: 8-5 overall, 5-3 in conference, 2nd in ACC Atlantic
Basketball: 24-7 overall, 15-5 in conference, T2nd in ACC

2. Clemson Tigers

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 6
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 2
Football: 14-1 overall, 8-0 in conference, 1st in ACC Atlantic
Basketball: 16-15 overall, 9-11 in conference, 9th in ACC

1. Virginia Cavaliers

2019 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking:  1
2018 Hoops & Helmets National Ranking: 20
Football: 9-5 overall, 6-2 in conference, 1st in ACC Coastal
Basketball: 23-7 overall, 15-5 in conference, 2nd in ACC

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20 For 2020 College Football Topics, No. 18: Teams That Will Take A Wee Step Back

20 for 2020 College Football Topics, No. 18: The five teams that will take a step back after a great 2019.

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20 for 2020 College Football Topics, No. 18: The five teams that will take a step back after a great 2019.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

The sequel is almost never as good as the original.

For five key teams, trying to recreate what happened in 2019 is going to be next to impossible.

It doesn’t matter how good you are. If you’re coming off a huge season, you probably won’t get the same breaks, the right timing with the schedule, or that magical blend that made the previous campaign so special.

The five teams on this list aren’t going to be bad. On the contrary, most should be massive factors in their respective division and conference races.

However, just one extra loss could be enough for each of these five to take a wee step back.

Going from the lowest-ranked team in the 2019 final rankings to the highest …

5. Virginia Cavaliers

2020 FInal Ranking
AP NR (29), Coaches 25
Final Record: 9-5

What Made 2019 Special? 

Bronco Mendenhall did it.

He took an okay program that was happy just to get to a bowl game on a regular basis, and he turned it into the Coastal Division champion that got to take its cut at the ACC Championship.

So what that Virginia got blown out by Clemson? So what that it lost to Florida in the Orange Bowl? It was a blast of a season with a win over Virginia Tech for the first time since 2003, a great finishing kick to take the vision, and again, it all finished up with a trip to the ACC title game and the Orange Bowl.

Why 2020 Will Be A Bit Worse: Returning Talent

Virginia is good enough now where it can rebuild a bit and not worry too much about falling off the map. However, you don’t get better by losing a heart-and-soul quarterback like Bryce Perkins.

Bryce Hall was a special corner, the receiving corps drops some key parts, and Jordan Mack was a killer in the middle of the linebacking corps, but a whole lot of strong players are back.

If all goes to plan, as many as nine starters on the offensive side are back and seven should return on D. Throw in the developed depth, and how is Virginia going to be any worse?

Lose four regular season games after dropping three last year.

Why 2020 Will Be A Bit Worse: Schedule 
– 2020 Virginia Football Schedule Analysis

Virginia might have been tough and good, and there’s no dogging that win over Virginia Tech, but it also did a little bit of bum-slaying in a miserable year for the ACC.

It didn’t have to play Clemson until the ACC Championship, and while it got past Pitt and North Carolina, it also had wins over William & Mary, Duke, Georgia Tech, Liberty, and a mediocre Florida State team.

The ACC Coastal is notoriously flaky.

This time around, Virginia has to go to Virginia Tech and Clemson. Miami is going to be better – at least, it should be – Louisville, Pitt and North Carolina are going to be dangerous, and in non-conference play, opening up against Georgia isn’t great.

But the schedule isn’t all that bad. This should be another strong Virginia team that but go 8-4 instead of 9-3, and it’ll be a wee step back.

NEXT: After coming so close to the mountain top, Part 1 …

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5

Louisville vs. Virginia Basketball Fearless Prediction, Game Preview

Louisville vs Virginia college basketball fearless prediction and game preview.

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Louisville vs. Virginia college basketball fearless prediction and game preview.

Louisville vs. Virginia Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 8
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, KY
Network: ESPN

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Louisville (20-3) vs. Virginia (15-6) Game Preview

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Why Virginia Will Win

The formula is starting to work again.

As always, Virginia is slowing things down to a crawl, it’s playing amazing defense, and it’s keeping games at its level. Now, it’s starting to win again after a rough stretch of close battles with four losses in five games.

In a close battle, it comes down to who’s coming up with the key takeaways and defensive stops. Louisville doesn’t force mistakes as it wins by cranking up the offensive production and gets hot.

How did it lose to Florida State a month ago? It missed just about everything from the field. How did it lose to Kentucky? It hit just 40% from the field. It lost to Texas Tech when it went under the 40% mark, too.

Virginia holds teams to 36% from the field.

[lawrence-related id=507541]

Why Louisville Will Win

For the most part, Virginia is struggling to come up with all the clutch shots late like it did throughout last year.

Part of the problem is the overall field goal percentage. Last year, the Cavaliers hit over 47% from the field and and close to 40% from three. This season? They’re making only 40% of their shots overall and are an abysmal 28% from three.

Louisville’s defense is destroying everyone’s outside shooting game – it’s among the best in the country at stopping teams from hitting the three, and it’s sixth in the nation in overall field goal defense.

Against Virginia, all it takes is a stop or two to make all the difference.

What’s Going To Happen

Can Virginia go back to being Virginia in all phases? Not in the KFC Yum!

The Cavalier defense will do its part, but Louisville’s defense will be just a bit better when it has to be. The UofL O will hit the threes the Cavs won’t.

Louisville vs. Virginia Prediction, Line

Louisville 65, Virginia 57
Bet on this with BetMGM, or for latest line 
Louisville -7, o/u: 114
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
– Get Tickets For This Game

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Watching movies
1: Watching the Oscars

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ACC Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 14

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the ACC season.

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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 14 of the ACC season.

How are the ACC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 76-26, ATS 43-44-2, o/u: 52-38

Click on each game for game preview & prediction

Friday, November 29

Virginia Tech at Virginia

12:00 ABC | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Virginia Tech -2.5, o/u: 47.5
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Saturday, November 30

Clemson at South Carolina

12:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Clemson -27.5, o/u: 51
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Georgia at Georgia Tech

12:00 ABC | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Georgia -28, o/u: 46.5
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Louisville at Kentucky

12:00 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Kentucky -3, o/u: 53.5
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Wake Forest at Syracuse

12:30 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Wake Forest -3.5, o/u: 67.5
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Boston College at Pitt

3:30 ACC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Pitt -9, o/u: 52
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[lawrence-related id=502045]

Miami at Duke

3:30 ESPN2 | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Miami -8, o/u: 45.5
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North Carolina at NC State

7:00 ACC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: North Carolina -10, o/u: 55
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Florida State at Florida

7:30 SEC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Florida -17.5, o/u: 53.5
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Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Fearless Prediction, Game Preview

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia fearless prediction and game preview.

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Virginia Tech vs. Virginia fearless prediction and game preview.

Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Broadcast

Date: Friday, November 29
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, Va
Network: ABC

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Virginia Tech (8-3) vs. Virginia (8-3) Game Preview

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Why Virginia Will Win

Okay, Bryce Perkins. Now it’s on.

The Virginia star quarterback failed to hit half of his passes in last year’s game against Virginia Tech, but he was still brilliant with 259 passing yards, three touchdowns, 112 rushing yards …

And one very, very big fumbled handoff that ended last year’s insane 34-31, Hokie win in overtime.

Now it’s Perkins’ time for redemption.

He’s had an okay year, but not a special one. Even so, been stronger on the ground – with two 100-yard rushing days before the blowout win over Liberty – and with no picks in his last three games. He’s playing his best all-around ball of the year at just the right time.

On the other side, the great Cavalier pass rush has to be effective from the start. The Virginia Tech offensive line is doing a good job, but it struggled a bit against the outstanding pressure from the Pitt D, allowing three sacks and ten tackles for loss. But …

– “Go to the bank!” Today’s top pick of the day just released

Why Virginia Tech Will Win

The Hokies still beat the Panthers 28-0.

Freshman quarterback Hendon Hooker was so bothered by the Pitt pass rush that he averaged close to 12 yards per pass with two touchdowns, no picks, and connected on ten of his 13 throws.

The guy has been unflappable.

He’s not making mistakes, he’s taking what the defenses are giving him, and he’s providing a downfield element that might just change around the Hokie program.

Virginia Tech has won six of its last seven games – Hooker wasn’t able to go against Notre Dame.

He’s been great, and the defensive side has stepped up its play, too. The Hokie run defense has been a wall, allowing fewer than 65 rushing yards in each of its last three games, and fewer than 100 in five of its last seven after gettin ripped up by Duke.

Virginia’s ground game has stepped it up with 16 touchdown runs in the last five games, but …

What’s Going To Happen

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever (pause to take breath) ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER mess with a college football streak.

Most of the players in this game were barely running around the last time Virginia was able to get by Virginia Tech.

2003. 15 straight years. This time around, the ACC Coastal title is on the line with the winner going off to face Clemson next weekend.

This Virginia team is good, it’s playing well, Perkins is terrific, the linebacking corps is a killer – with the parts to bother Hooker the Hokie all game long – and the game is in Charlottesville.

Virginia Tech is playing better, Hooker is that good, the defense is coming up with two straight shutouts, and …

Never, ever, ever, ever, ever …

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Virginia Tech vs. Virginia Prediction, Line

Virginia Tech 27, Virginia 23
Bet on this with BetMGM, or for latest line 
Virginia Tech -2.5, o/u: 47.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
– Get Tickets For This Game

Must See Rating: 4.5

5: The fried chicken sandwich of your choice (and side)
1: All things Thanksgiving dinner

Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings
Predicting The Rest of the Season

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ACC Predictions, Schedule, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 13

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the ACC season.

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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 13 of the ACC season.

How are the ACC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 69-25, ATS 41-39-2, o/u: 46-36

Click on each game for game preview & prediction 

Thursday, November 21

NC State at Georgia Tech

8:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: NC State -2.5, o/u: 47
Bet on this with BetMGM 

[lawrence-related id=501162]

Saturday, November 23

Liberty at Virginia

12:00 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Virginia -17, o/u: 54
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Boston College at Notre Dame

2:30 NBC | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Notre Dame -19.5, o/u: 63.5
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Mercer at North Carolina

3:30 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: COMING
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[lawrence-related id=500899]

Pitt at Virginia Tech

3:30 ESPN2 | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Virginia Tech -3.5, o/u: 46.5
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Syracuse at Louisville

4:00 ACC Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Louisville -10, o/u: 62
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Miami at FIU

7:00 CBS Sports Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Miami -20.5, o/u: 49.5
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Duke at Wake Forest

7:30 ACC Network | Get Tickets
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
BetMGM Line: Wake Forest -7.5, o/u: 49.5
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Virginia vs. Liberty Fearless Prediction, Game Preview

Virginia vs. Liberty fearless prediction and game preview.

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Virginia vs. Liberty fearless prediction and game preview.

Virginia vs. Liberty Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 23
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
Venue: Scott Stadium, Charlottesville, VA
Network: ACC Network X

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Virginia (7-3) vs. Liberty (6-4) Game Preview

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Why Liberty Will Win

Liberty has just enough of an offense to screw up a Virginia team that might just have its head on Virginia Tech coming to town next week.

The Cavaliers have a shot at taking the ACC Coastal title next week by finally beating their rivals again, and after an up-and-down season, get their chance at Clemson to …

Oh yeah, Liberty.

The Flames have had two weeks off since losing to BYU, and now they’re on their fourth straight road game and fifth in the last six games. They’re already bowl eligible, and they have nothing to lose here with an almost certain win coming next week in their second meeting of the year against New Mexico State.

They’re about to let it rip.

The receiving corps is good, there’s enough of a ground game to at least give it a shot, and QB Stephen Calvert has thrown or 300 yards or more in three of his last four games. He’s been able to hit the 300-yard mark in six of his last eight games with 22 touchdown passes and no picks over the run.

But …

– “Go to the bank!” Today’s top pick of the day just released

Why Virginia Will Win

The Virginia pass rush should be able to get to Calvert on a regular basis.

The Flames will get a few good pass plays in, and they’ll have their moments, but when they have a shot to keep things moving, the Cavaliers will ramp up the pressure on third downs.

Liberty – as good as it is at moving the ball – is bad on third downs and can’t control the clock or the pace. The offense tries to move quickly and it tries to keep defenses on their heels, but it only holds on to the ball for around 28 minutes per game.

Virginia leads the ACC in time of possession – it’s going to grind out the clock and keep it for well over 35 minutes.

The Cavs will generate at least four sacks to ruin drives, the UVa offense will hit on several third down plays in the first half to take the lead, and …

[lawrence-related id=500899]

What’s Going To Happen

Rutgers was able to put up 463 yards and 44 points.

Rutgers.

Syracuse started out the season with a 24-0 shutout against the Flames.

Syracuse.

Virginia will have a few issues in the second half closing after getting up early. The team has much, much bigger fish to fry, and it doesn’t need this game in any way – it’s a true scrimmage.

It’s going to want to get out of this game fast, it has to keep its players healthy, and that’s going to be just enough for Liberty to come up with a few late scores to keep this from being a total wipeout.

Virginia vs. Liberty Prediction, Line

Virginia 38, Liberty 17
Bet on UVA vs. LU with BetMGM, or for latest line 
Virginia -17, o/u: 54
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
– Get Tickets For This Game

Must See Rating: 2

5: Citizen K
1: Frozen II

Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings
Predicting The Rest of the Season

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ACC Predictions, Game Previews, Lines, TV: Week 12

Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the ACC season.

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Check out all the fearless predictions, game previews, lines and TV listings for Week 12 of the ACC season.

How are the ACC predictions so far?
Straight Up: 64-24, ATS 38-36-2, o/u: 43-33

Click on each game for game preview & prediction

Thursday, November 14

North Carolina at Pitt

8:00 ESPN | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Pitt -3.5, o/u: 50.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Saturday, November 16

Alabama State at Florida State

12:00 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: No Line, o/u: No Line
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Wake Forest at Clemson

3:30 ABC | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Clemson -34.5, o/u: 60.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech

3:30 ACC Network X | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Virginia Tech -5.5, o/u: 50.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Syracuse at Duke

4:00 ACC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Duke -10.5, o/u: 54.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

Louisville at NC State

7:30 ACC Network | Get Tickets
BetMGM Line: Louisville -3.5, o/u: 55.5
Live Stream: fuboTV (click to watch for free)

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