College Basketball 3/12/10 ACC Quarterfinals
Virginia Cavaliers (15-15) (ACC)-Duke Blue Devils (26-5) (ACC)

By Mark-Friday, March 12th 12 PM EST
Line-Duke-16

Virginia picked a good day to break a nine game losing streak with a first round win over Boston College, 68-62. Sammy Zeglinski was brillient with 21 points as the Cavs played with out suspended star Sylven Landesberg. UVA didn't make the same mistakes that led to their dismal year ending run mainly because their ball protection was flawless as they committed just five turnovers. Balanced scoring was another big plus as four players touched double figures in points which doesn't always happen with Landesberg in the line up as the team often relies on him to make plays. The Cavaliers constantly held off BC charges and closed them out at the charity stripe to face Duke.

Duke shared the ACC regular season title with Maryland finishing the conference schedule at 13-3 thus receiving a first round bye. The Blue Devils closed the season winning 8 of 9 including a 30 point drubbing of rival North Carolina. Duke is one of the better scoring teams in the land at just shy of 80 points behind the perimeter play of Jon Scheyer (19 ppg) and Nolan Smith (18 ppg) with Kyle Singler (17 ppg) plying his wares in the paint. This team takes their cue from strong defense which will determine how far they go in the Big Dance and the ACC playoffs in the short term.

Duke offense: 79 ppg 14 apg 39 rpg 44%
Duke defense: 62 ppg 11 apg 33 rpg 40%
Virginia offense: 66 ppg 13 apg 35 rpg 43%
Virginia defense: 63 ppg 12 apg 33 rpg 44%

The Blue Devils will be looking at containing Zeglinski with out Landesberg playing. Duke is well rested and has the added advantage of additional time to prepare for another conference title run. Virginia has talent but it will easily take their best effort of the season to hang with Duke and steal the win. I don't think Coach K will let his team look past the Cavs and I see them coming out with fire in their belly.