I gotta admit something here. One of the big reasons why I chose to cover the ACC tournament instead of the Big 12 or the SEC is because these are the teams I know the least about. Well, that and because all eight teams are in the RPI Top 20.

Oh I could sit here and waffle on about a bunch of stats and what I think this team will do and what that team will do, but I’d be lying. Look, any analyst worth his salt can study a stat sheet and sound like a plausible expert on a certain conference, but I don’t know much about the ACC. So I really look forward to getting to Jacksonville and seeing what happens.

I’ve decided, since I don’t know a whole lot about each team, here’s what my perceptions are of each one going into what should be a great five days of games:

1- Clemson
I know they are hot, winning 15 in a row or something like that. I also know they’re pitching staff is stoked with quality arms, like starter Stephen Faris and relievers Daniel Moskos and Maine-transfer Scott Richard. So pitching alone should get them a couple-three wins.

2- North Carolina
Okay, one thing is for sure. The draft-conscious boys over at Baseball America LOVE these dudes. Andrew Miller, Steven Bard, Robert Woodard. That’s an intimidating three-some of weekend starters. But two things to keep in mind: 1- this team also hits .317, so they can do some damage. And 2- THE college baseball doctor (a friend of mine who lives in Durham) told me that he’s seen Miller a number of times and he’s been hit a good bit. So if UNC loses its focus, they may not make the title round.

3- Virginia
Okay, the Wahoos lead the nation in ERA. That’s not too surprising since I’ve been watching coach Brian O’Connor’s coaching career pretty closely (at Creighton and Notre Dame) and he’s always had good staffs. Can’t wait to see super-soph Sean Doolittle in person. This team is playing for a stay-at-home road to Omaha, so they should be motivated. The question is, can they make it to Sunday?

4- Georgia Tech
The Jekyll & Hyde of college baseball. I’ve actually seen them a couple of times on TV this year. But I still can’t figure them out. They’ll bash the ball all over the park one game, then lose to a Maryland or Virginia Tech another game. THIS should be fun. But my knee-jerk reaction is that they don’t have the consistent pitching to get it done. Let’s see if they prove this hypothesis wrong.

5- Miami
I got the chance to see the Canes play at UCLA twice in the early season. I know that Jemile Weeks, Blake Tekotte and Yonder Alonso are a terrific trio of frosh phenoms. I love Weeks in the leadoff role. He makes every at-bat fun. But the injury to Friday starter Carlos Gutierrez is a huge loss. I’m thinking that relievers Chris Perez and Danny Gil will take on bigger roles. Even still, I can’t see “the U” making it too far here because of that.

6- Florida State
I made the comment last year on CSTV that Shane Robinson was one of the best players I’d seen (on TV) all year. He makes every at-bat and every Texas Leaguer to the outfield an adventure. But the Noles are simply a poor team away from Dick Howser Stadium. So I’m guessing an early exit. But Mike Martin has a post-season knack of getting a little more from his players. So we’ll see.

7- North Carolina State
I know that basketball phenom Andrew Brackman is expected to be out for the rest of the season (unless there’s a new update on him since I read that). So NC State’s chances take a dramatic southward turn. Still, I can’t wait to see the bats of Aaron Bates, Matt Mangini and Matt Camp do their work. State leads the ACC in hitting at .339, so the further they go, the better their chances of simply out-scoring people. I see a few wins here. But maybe not through ‘til Sunday.

8- Wake Forest
I REALLY don’t know much about the Deacons. Except for the fact that Freshman Allen Dykstra (.331-14-55), from out here in San Diego, has had a bang-em-up year, leading Wake in home runs and RBI. But the Deacs also have an arm staff with a 4.55 ERA. That usually doesn’t bode well for these tournaments which are known to stretch a pitching staff wafer-thin. I’m guessing a run to the title game isn’t likely.

So in conclusion, I look forward to a lot of fun and discovery in Jacksonville this weekend. I know that Clemson, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Virginia are fighting for a home slot all the way through the NCAAs. So this week will help decide that.

Yes, that means that, despite my objections to these needless conference tournaments, there is still a lot to play for here.

I’ll be traveling during Wednesday’s first round (sorry, work obligations). But I’ll be sure to give the nitty gritty on Thursday-through-Sunday while I’m there.

Can’t wait. Should be fun.

See ya’ at the ballpark.

Eric.