ACC Morning Linkfest 2/2 with Game Sim Predictions

What a Saturday of basketball, let's jump to some bullet points to recap a crazy Saturday of ACC basketball...

• You have to start with Syracuse/Duke, what a game.  There really were no losers in this game, for Syracuse you have to love the performance.  The Orange had multiple guys step up throughout the game, and showed why they are ranked #2.  After the Arizona loss at Cal, we may even see them move up to #1.  For Duke, it was a matter of counterpunches for most of the game.  I was convinced when Parker and Jefferson got in foul trouble that it was over.  Tyler Thornton then lands 3 consecutive 3's, Dawkins hits a couple, and Sulaimon hits the buzzer-beater to send it to OT.  In OT, it looked like Duke might have control, but the game turned on a fantastic block on Rodney Hood's dunk attempt.  Duke fans say it was a foul, but Rakeem Christmas did get ball first.  Jerami Grant made 2 huge free throws late, and the Blue Devils couldn't match their heroism from the end of regulation.  Just a fantastic game, and we get to do it again in 3 weeks.
• Elsewhere in the ACC, Eric Atkins gave us a dose of heroics as well.  Notre Dame's Atkins found himself at the free throw line at the end of regulation.  After tying it up with the first free throw, Atkins missed the second, and found himself with another shot at the buzzer which also missed.  Little did Atkins know that he'd get another chance in OT, and after a shake and crossover Atkins knocked down a 3 to win it.
• Clemson and UNC picked up big wins on Saturday.  The Tigers won at FSU behind another big game from KJ McDaniels.  The Heels took out local rival NC State by double-figures in a convincing win.  Leslie McDonald had his best game of the season which is a good sign for UNC.  With the win, the Heels move back to .500 in the conference.
• Georgia Tech and Maryland also picked the ever-valuable road conference win on Saturday.  Miami also defeated Norfolk State on Saturday.

Today, Virginia and Pitt face off in a huge league game.   Both teams are looking for signature wins, and neither have many more opportunities.  The Cavaliers have won every ACC game by double-figures except for their loss at Cameron.  Pitt is coming of a loss at home to Duke.  Check out the preview below for more.

Check out links, highlights, and more below.

NCAAGameSim.com Predictions

Virginia at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh wins 65-63 Sim the game here

View more predictions at NCAAGameSim.com

Highlights

Team	Conf	Pct	Overall	Pct
Syracuse	8-0	1.000	21-0	1.000
Virginia	7-1	0.875	16-5	0.762
Pittsburgh	6-2	0.750	18-3	0.857
Duke	6-3	0.667	17-5	0.773
Clemson	5-3	0.625	14-6	0.700
Maryland	5-4	0.556	13-9	0.591
UNC	4-4	0.500	14-7	0.667
NC State	4-5	0.444	14-8	0.636
Wake Forest	4-5	0.444	14-8	0.636
FSU	4-5	0.444	13-8	0.619
Georgia Tech	3-6	0.333	12-10	0.545
Notre Dame	3-6	0.333	12-10	0.545
Miami	2-6	0.250	11-10	0.524
Boston College	2-6	0.250	7-14	0.333
Virginia Tech	1-8	0.111	8-13	0.381

Injury Report
Patrick Rooks (CL)
injured hip, out for season
Jason Morris (GT)
broken foot, likely out for the season
Robert Carter (GT)
torn meniscus, out indefinitely
Travis Jorgenson (GT)
Torn ACL, out for season
Deandre Burnett (MI)
injured wrist, out for season
PJ Hairston (NC)
Ineligible
Austin Burgett (ND)
irregular heartbeat, out 7-10 days (1/24)
Jerian Grant (ND)
academically ineligible
Durand Johnson (PI)
Torn ACL, out for season
DaJuan Coleman (SY)
Leg issues, out for the season
Marquis Rankin (VT)
out for personal reasons

Links

• Duke drops heartbreaker to Syracuse
• Brand-new ACC rivalry Syracuse-Duke delivers a classic
• Downer for Duke: Blue Devils fall at Syracuse in OT of instant classic
• ESPNU to re-air Duke vs. Syracuse Sunday morning at 10 AM ET
• Syracuse tops foul-ridden Duke basketball in overtime 91-89
• No. 17 Duke Falls to No. 2 Syracuse 91-89 in OT
• Notes: Syracuse 91, Duke 89
• Box Score: Syracuse 91, Duke 89
• Orange wins epic game in front of 35,446 at Dome
• Fair delivers career-high 28 points on big stage
• One of the greatest games in Carrier Dome history
• With assist from Orange Nation, Syracuse police arrest man who attacked father during post-game traffic crawl
• Syracuse basketball players impressed by Carrier Dome crowd in win over Duke
• Syracuse forward Jerami Grant expolits mismatch against Duke in overtime
• Syracuse basketball senior C.J. Fair shines on the big stage vs. Duke
• Mike Hopkins: Syracuse-Duke 'may have been the best regular-season game I've ever been a part of'
• Syracuse basketball: Assessing the four factors in the Orange's victory over Duke
• A thriller — and a blueprint
• Syracuse and Duke start a new rivalry
• Instant classic
• With bigs gone, No. 17 Duke comes up short at No. 2 'Cuse in OT
• Syracuse holds off Duke for 91-89 win in OT
• UNC, Roy Williams continue mastery of NC State in 84-70 win
• DeCock: Tar Heels take care of business as Wolfpack struggles under bright lights again
• Hot-shooting Terps leave Blacksburg with easy win, 80-60, over Virginia Tech
• As Terps got going, Jake Layman went 'up there' for impressive baseline slam
• Wells, Terps rout Hokies
• HEELS SMACK PACK
• Break-even ACC mark isn't nearly good enough for Tar Heels
• Tar Heels want more after taking care of erratic Wolfpack
• Tar Heels want more after taking care of erratic Wolfpack
• Incoming Tech AD witnesses latest blowout loss
• FSU loses game, leading scorer against Clemson
• Virginia basketball looks to score attention-grabbing win at Pittsburgh

Yesterday's Games

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