Louisville’s Steven Enoch dunks past Notre Dame’s Juwan Durha during the first half of a game on March 13, 2019. (Nell Redmond)
Louisville’s Steven Enoch dunks past Notre Dame’s Juwan Durha during the first half of a game on March 13, 2019. (Nell Redmond)Associated Press

Eckel on ACC Tournament: Two picks to jump on

Louisville vs. North Carolina, North Carolina State vs. Virginia

The ACC Tournament quarterfinals are Thursday in Charlotte and all four games should be interesting. Here’s two to take a look at if you want to wager.

North Carolina State (+ 10.5) vs. Virginia, 12:30
The Pick: Virginia (- 10.5)

Yes that’s a lot of points to lay in a quarterfinal game. Virginia, however, is on a bit of a mission and the Cavs (28-2) are not about to let the Wolfpack (22-10) get in the way of that.

North Carolina State came from 16 down to beat Clemson in the second round Wednesday, which solidified its spot in the NCAA Tournament. But it might have also taken a lot out of a team with a short bench. The early start time doesn’t do the Wolfpack any favors, either.

State is also just 1-8 this season against teams ranked in the top 25.

No. 2 Virginia, meanwhile, has won eight straight and is 5-0 on neutral courts this year. And Thursday’s neutral court in Charlotte is a return to the scene of the crime where the No. 1 seeded Cavs lost to No. 16 UMBC a year ago in the first round of the NCAAs.

Yes, Virginia, there is something to prove.

Louisville (+6) vs. North Carolina, 7:30
The Pick: North Carolina (-6)

North Carolina (26-5) is looking to get a deserved No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a win over Louisville (20-12), which would set up possible rematches with Duke and Virginia, is needed.

The Tar Heels have won seven straight and are looking like a true contender for the national title. Louisville, at the same time, has struggled. The Cardinals are 2-6 in their last eight games and both wins came against lowly Notre Dame. The second one in Wednesday’s second round of the tournament.

These teams split during the regular season, with each team winning on the road. Louisville embarrassed the Heels, 83-62, at the Dean Dome early in the season when the Cardinals were at the top of their game and UNC was not.

North Carolina returned the favor with a 79-69 win in Louisville.

Give the rubber match to the Heels, and get ready for UNC-Duke, Round 3.

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