It hasn’t been a vintage ACC year in basketball. There’s no question about it, but the post-season always provides an opportunity for a little redemption.
The early returns suggest the ACC might be able to make a little noise in March.
In the NIT
Virginia knocked off Mississippi State 60-57. The Bulldogs had wins over NCAA teams Arkansas and Alabama. They took Auburn and Kentucky to OT too.
Wake Forest defeated 25 win Towson 74-64.
I’m not calling these earth-shattering wins, but wins are wins.
In the NCAA Tournament
Notre Dame defeated Rutgers 89-87 (2 OT). This was an instant classic, and one of if not the best play in-game we’ve ever had. Rutgers came into the game with 6 Q1 wins, including victories over Purdue, Iowa, Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Rutgers may not have the traditional basketball name, but they’ve made the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back years. Notre Dame received criticism for even being in the field, so this was a very credible win.
North Carolina routed Marquette 95-63. In the 2nd half of the season, no ACC team played better or more consistent basketball than UNC save Virginia Tech. Marquette had wins over Illinois, Providence, and Villanova (twice). The Tar Heels gave the Golden Eagles their worst loss of the season.
These 4 wins aren’t saving the ACC’s season, but they are a step in the right direction.
Friday ACC teams have these matchups.
7 USC vs 10 Miami 3:10 PM (TRU)
11 Virginia Tech vs 6 Texas 4:30 PM (TBS)
11 Notre Dame vs 6 Alabama 4:15 (TNT)
2 Duke vs 15 CS Fullerton 7:10 PM (CBS)
I think the ACC will go 2-2 (Duke and Virginia Tech wins), for a 4-2 to start to the NCAA Tournament and 6-2 in the post-season. For a conference that struggled so much this year, ACC fans will take that start.
It wouldn’t shock me if Notre Dame and Miami win, though the Irish especially might be spent after their win over Rutgers.
We’ll see… So far so good for the ACC.
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