Tonight in the ACC...

...we have three games that few would have predicted to have the implications they do.

(21) Miami, FL (14-1, 1-0) at BC (11-4, 2-0) - Who would have thought that both teams would still be undefeated in conference play (even after only 3 combined games)? Tonight, we find out if Miami deserves to be ranked. They've already won at Miss St and VCU, can they do it on the road in the ACC against a team with an experienced leader and a team that just destroyed Wake? BC, similarly, is trying to prove that victories at Maryland and vs Wake were signs of good things to come, even though they've lost most of the talent from their top-10 team of a couple years ago (Dudley, Smith, Williams). The winner will still be over-rated.

NC State (11-4, 0-1) at (24) Clemson (13-3, 1-1) - The battle of teams that lost to UNC. NCSt got pounded, while Clemson took them to the limit in OT. Can Clemson establish themselves at the top of the ACC's second tier? Every year, Clemson gets better, but no one believes they're for real until after they have 3 or 4 ACC wins. Is NC State in the second tier or just a bottom feeder in their second year under Sidney Lowe?

Wake Forest (11-4, 1-1) at Maryland (10-7, 0-2) - The Terps are 7.5 point favorites at home in this battle for last place, and it may be the last time the Terps are favored if they don't win. Both teams have had close games with VT and both have lost to BC. If Maryland even wants to make the NIT, this is a must-win. A second ACC win for Wake would put them on pace for a finish in the middle of the conference, much better than expected and a nice tribute to Skip. Go Terps!