Thursday, March 13th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Charlotte Bobcats Arena (20,200) -- Charlotte, North Carolina. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Virginia 11-6, Georgia Tech 6-7. Away Record: Virginia 4-7, Georgia Tech 6-8. Neutral Record: Virginia 0-1, Georgia Tech 2-1. Conference Record: Virginia 5-11, Georgia Tech 7-9. Series Record: Georgia Tech leads, 37-29.

GAME NOTES: The seventh-seeded Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will take on the 10th-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in opening round action of the 55th-annual ACC Tournament in Charlotte this evening. Paul Hewitt's Yellow Jackets went 14-16 this season, but half of those wins came in-conference, where they finished 7-9. Georgia Tech comes into the postseason on a bit of a role, winning three of its last four games. However, the lone loss during that span came against these Cavaliers. Virginia however, didn't have much success in league play this year, going 5-11 overall. Still, the term "snake-bitten" could certainly apply to the Cavaliers, who dropped three conference games in overtime, one by a single point in regulation and another two by two points. Virginia does come in with a tiny bit of momentum, winning two of its last three games, including a 91-76 victory over Maryland in the regular-season finale. Georgia Tech holds a 37-29 advantage in the all-time series and the teams split a pair of meetings this year, each winning on the road. The winner of this game will take on second-seeded Duke in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Another exciting offensive squad in the ACC, Tech ranked fourth in the league in scoring (77.3 ppg) and second in field goal percentage (.469). A balanced scoring attack, Tech had just one player rank in the top-25 in the league in scoring, as Anthony Morrow checked in at number 15 (14.2 ppg). One of the conference's top sharp shooters, Morrow has converted over 43 percent from behind the arc this season, ranking third in the league in three-pointers made (73). Joining Morrow in double figures is forward Jeremis Smith, who adds 10.4 ppg, while pacing Tech on the boards with 7.1 rpg. Zack Peacock (9.6 ppg) is a valuable asset off the bench, as is Lewis Clinch (9.2 ppg).

Much like Georgia Tech, Virginia has the ability to go basket-for-basket with most teams, provided the team stays hot. The Cavaliers are netting a solid 76.8 ppg this year (fifth in the ACC) and that is despite shooting a mere .433 from the floor (11th in the conference). One player that has no problem putting the ball in the net is All-ACC First-Teamer Sean Singletary. Ranked second in the ACC in scoring this year (19.9 ppg), Singletary also keeps his teammates involved in the offense, doling out 5.9 assists per game (second in the ACC). Scoring depth is found in the form of Mamadi Diane (11.4 ppg) and Adrian Joseph (10.4 ppg).

The Yellow Jackets and Cavaliers are very evenly matched, but the difference may just be Singletary. He should be able to get out to a good start and if that happens, Georgia Tech may be playing catchup the entire game.

Predicted Outcome

Virginia 76, Georgia Tech 70