The ACC had a very rough non-conference portion of the schedule. There is no arguing that. The SEC, Big12, and Big 10 will get more bids than the ACC, but quietly the conference is setting up for a successful March. So don’t be surprised if the ACC is again with multiple teams in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8, and another Final 4 team.
How you say? Didn’t the conference get blown away during the ACC/SEC challenge, is ranked 5th in NET Conference strength, and has just 1 ranked team?
The ACC isn’t deep 1-17, but they are deep 1-7. This isn’t a double-digit bid league, but the teams that do make it are NCAA caliber and they have proven it.
Duke goes without saying. The Blue Devils can win the national championship and are one of the 3 most talented teams in the country. They beat a full-strength Auburn team, and routed Arizona who is currently tied for first in the Big 12. Freshman Cooper Flagg is pretty good too.
Clemson has already beat Kentucky and had Memphis beat before a final-minute collapse. Their backcourt with Chase Hunter and Jaeden Zachary is experienced and tough. Guards win in March.
Speaking of guards, Louisville has one of the best point guards in college basketball – Chucky Hepburn. He is in total command of Louisville’s offense and sets the tone for that team. Pat Kelsey has navigated injuries and has the Cardinals playing their best basketball in years. Give me elite an PG in the Big Dance.
North Carolina has proven they are capable of playing with anybody. They nearly won at Kansas, nearly beat Florida and Michigan State. Their interior probably limits their ceiling, but in a single game against a high seed a player like R.J. Davis can get the Heels into the second weekend.
Pittsburgh has high-end wins over West Virginia and Ohio State, and in November/December was considered the ACC’s second-best team. Pitt has a dangerous team.
These are the 5 ACC teams, I feel strongest about making the NCAA tournament. I could easily see 3 of the 5 making the Sweet 16, and Duke will be on a lot of people’s Final 4 list.
Is there a 2024 NC State team lurking in the ACC? Maybe a Wake Forest team that beat Big 10 leading Michigan or high scoring SMU?
Don’t write off the ACC in March, because the signs are there it could be surprisingly good again.
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