2024 ACC Tournament Quarterfinal Odds, Predictions: Can UNC Get Fifth Straight Win Over Florida State?

Thursday marks the third day of the 2024 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Washington, DC. But for most fans, the quarterfinals are when the real action truly begins.

With North Carolina sports betting now live, fans have a massive few days of big games to wager ahead.

The conference’s top four teams (regular season champ North Carolina, as well as Duke, Virginia, and Pitt) were all idle on Tuesday and Wednesday after playing well enough in the regular season to secure the double bye in the tourney. FSU reached the quarters with a win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday, and Wake Forest knocked off Notre Dame to get to this point.

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NC State and Boston College, on the other hand, have both been in action since Tuesday, with the Pack taking down Louisville and Syracuse, while BC had to get through Miami, then Clemson.

Let’s break down what to watch for — and some bets worth considering — in the four quarterfinal matchups scheduled for Thursday:

• 1-seed North Carolina vs 9-seed Florida State (12 p.m. Eastern, ESPN)
• 4-seed Pittsburgh vs 5-seed Wake Forest (2:30 p.m., ESPN2)
• 2-seed Duke vs 10-seed NC State (7:00 p.m., ESPN)
• 3-seed Virginia vs 11-seed Boston College (9:30 p.m., ESPN)

Read More: Best College Basketball Betting Sites | March Madness Odds

No. 4 North Carolina vs Florida State

Regular season matchups: UNC 2-0 (78-70 on Dec. 2, 75-68 on Jan. 27)

The Tar Heels have one of the most one-sided matchups of the day, at least on paper. Carolina did not exactly struggle against the Seminoles in either regular season meeting, though neither matchup was a cakewalk. FSU coach Leonard Hamilton’s teams are always big and physical, and this year’s group is no different, but the Noles were middle-of-the-pack in conference play this season.

Don’t be surprised if Florida State rides the momentum from the win over Virginia Tech on Wednesday to a strong start, but the Heels should be able to get the job done.

Prediction: UNC to advance

Best Bet: Florida State first half spread (+6.5 at time of publishing)

Pittsburgh vs Wake Forest

Regular season matchups: 1-1 (Pitt won 77-72 on Jan. 31, WF won 91-58 on Feb. 20)

This one is a toss-up, even after Wake was dominant in a late February matchup between these teams. The Demon Deacons are a tough team to predict after following up a win over Duke with three losses in their last four ACC games.

Wake’s shooting is the X-factor against a Pitt team that won four of its last five games in the regular season. Expect a close one until the final minutes, with Wake pulling it out late.

Prediction: Wake Forest to advance

Best Bet: Over (145 at time of publishing)

No. 11 Duke vs NC State

Regular season matchups: Duke 1-0 (79-64 on March 4)

The Wolfpack shook off an ugly start against Louisville on Tuesday, pulling away from the Cardinals late before using a strong second half to blow out Syracuse on Wednesday. The Pack, which might be playing for Kevin Keatts’ job, is dangerous. But they struggled on the defensive end against the Blue Devils when those teams squared off last week.

Keatts has a catch-22 in this matchup: Duke has struggled (both last year and this year) against NC State big man DJ Burns, but the Pack has been unable to guard the Blue Devils when he’s on the floor. NC State will make this one interesting, for at least the first half, but Duke has a formula that allowed it to beat State comfortably last Monday despite a massive night from Burns.

Prediction: Duke to advance

Best Bet: NC State first half spread (+6.5 at time of publishing)

Virginia vs Boston College

Regular season matchups: Virginia 1-0 (72-68 on Feb. 28)

Boston College is a frisky underdog in this matchup, hence the tight spread. The Golden Eagles beat Miami on Tuesday thanks to a dominant night from big man Quinten Post, who had 30 points and 13 rebounds in the win over the Canes. One day later, BC manhandled Clemson thanks to another big night from Post (11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) and huge nights from guards Claudell Harris and Jaden Zackery, who combined for 49 points.

In Virginia’s last seven games, the Hoos are just 3-4, and they scored less than 50 points in four of those games. The question is whether to take BC on the spread or outright. Give me BC pulling the upset of the tournament to date.

Prediction: Boston College to advance

Best Bets: Under (125 at time of publishing), BC moneyline (+170 at time of publishing)