I write these previews as a guide for someone who hasn’t been following college basketball this season. Now is the time when people check in to what’s going on for help in filling out their bracket. I like to make them just long enough for someone taking a shit at work to skim through and gather some quick info.
SEE ALSO: American Athletic Conference Tournament Preview and Best Bet
The ACC can potentially have half of the Final Four represented this season. The conference is top heavy, but the top of the ACC is the top of the country. Virginia, Duke, and UNC can make a case for being #1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament. If Zion Williamson returns to the Blue Devils, these 3 teams could make up 75% of the Final Four.
The bottom of the ACC is so bad they could barely make a case to be in the NIT, but the top of the league is elite. In between you’ll find teams like Virginia Tech, Louisville, Syracuse, and Florida State that are all legitimate contenders at making a run in the Big Dance. This conference, once again, has been the class of the sport. Regardless of who wins this tourney, 8 ACC teams are projected to reach the NCAA Tourney.
March 12th-16th In Charlotte, NC
- Virginia +100
- Duke +200
- North Carolina +390
- Virginia Tech +1400
- Florida State +2000
- Louisville +3600
- Clemson +5400
- NC State +6500
- Syracuse +6500
- Miami +9500
- Notre Dame +9700
- Boston College +9800
- Georgia Tech +9800
- Pitt +9800
- Wake Forest +9800
The conference format of the ACC is a familiar one. The bottom seeds battle it out for a chance to get their ass kicked by one of the middle seeds. The top 4 seeds will get a bye until the quarterfinal round. The current top 4 seeds getting a double by are #1 Virginia, #2 North Carolina, #3 Duke, and #4 Florida State.
Pick: UNC Tar Heels +390
After getting the sweep of Duke on Saturday, the Tar Heels solidified their position as a #2 seed in the ACC Tournament. This sets up a potential semifinal matchup with Duke for a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The only thing going against UNC is the fact that they have yet to face Zion Williamson. If he suits up for Duke in this ACC tourney, it could be tough for the Tar Heels to reach the ACC Championship game.
The reason I love this year’s version of North Carolina is their ability to put points on the board. They rank 3rd in the nation in points per game. With Luke Maye down low, this team reminds me of the UCLA team that Kevin Love led to the Final Four. A big man that can grab rebounds and shoot the three ball. Championship teams nowadays have to have a big that can shoot threes, and Maye is exactly that. Freshman guard Coby White has also propelled this UNC team
The best team in this conference is the Virginia Cavaliers. With Zion Williamson, the Duke Blue Devils might have something to say about that. North Carolina is hitting their stride at the right time entering the post season and could make a run to an ACC Tournament Title.
