ACC basketball standings: Penultimate Saturday features big games for Miami, Notre Dame

All eyes are on Charlottesville for the primetime ESPN showdown between #3 Virginia and #7 North Carolina. Gameday from JPJ has been, as the kids say, turnt all morning, with football coaches and Tele-Tobeys all getting into the action.

While the most important game for Virginia is, of course, the one they're playing, two other ACC games this afternoon will also have a major effect on whether the Hoos can climb to the top of the conference standings.

#11 Louisville at #12 Miami - 2 PM, ACC Network

The Cardinals have been one of the Cavaliers' best allies in the closing weeks of the season. Because Louisville can't participate in postseason play, but their regular season results factor into tiebreakers, Rick Pitino's squad rolling rough shod over other contenders has given UVa a double dose of help.

Miami is a solid home favorite, but KenPom still projects a close game. Damion Lee and crew are playing for nothing but pride at this point. Hopefully that will be enough to carry them to a road win over the Canes, who sit one game ahead of Virginia with 11 conference wins. Go Cardinals.

#23 Notre Dame at Florida State - 4 PM, ESPN2

Mike Brey's Irish are knotted up with UVa in the standings, but Virginia holds the head-to-head tiebreaker courtesy of Virginia's January 2nd win in Charlottesville. This is Notre Dame's last road game, as the Irish close out the season hosting Miami and NC State. The Irish will look to ride their red-hot offense but Florida State is a slight home favorite. This game doesn't affect the top of the standings very much, but a Seminoles win helps lock up a double-bye in the conference tournament. Go Noles.