After seeing the fifth seeded Duke Blue Devils take home the ACC Tournament crown last weekend, this conference looks as stacked as ever. While they may not be able to replicate the success the conference had in the Big Dance last year, they will still be strong Final Four contenders, possibly taking home another championship.
9 Seed: Virginia Tech
Buzz Williams does it again. While the Hokies are not the best team in the conference, he has built them into a formidable team who can always compete come March. The turning point for them in the season was the big home win against in-state rivals Virginia. They will be challenged in the first round by the under seeded Badgers, and even if they get past them, they’ll have to take on the reigning champs. Good luck Hokies.
5 Seed: Virginia
A popular upset pick on the five line, the Cavaliers of Virginia will have to take on Cinderella hopefully UNC Wilmington. After coming within a couple minutes of a Duke upset last year, the Seahawks will again draw an ACC team in the first round. While it is likely Virginia could lose, I think they will slow down the game enough to advance to the next round. I have Tony Bennett’s team running to the Sweet Sixteen before falling to Nova.
2 Seed: Duke
After many people felt Duke should be on the one line, they end up as a two seed. The stage is still set for a deep tournament run though as the ACC Tournament Champs are as hot and healthy as ever. All that stands in the way between Coach K and another Final Four may be a massive Elite Eight matchup against Villanova, unless another unexpected upset falls into their path.
5 Seed: Notre Dame
Another popular upset pick, the Irish will take on the Princeton Tigers, who navigated the Ivy League without a single loss and won their first ever conference tournament. While the SAT scores for this matchup may be high, I don’t think anyone knows what will happen here. I don’t have Notre Dame making it to the second weekend.
3 Seed: Florida State
The underrated, albeit dangerous Seminoles drew a three line in the tourney. An in-state matchup against Florida Gulf Coast shouldn’t do much of getting in their way. I see Leonard Hamilton’s team as a lock for the Sweet Sixteen, if not more.
8 Seed: Miami
After losing much of their team last year, Miami is right back in the Dance. They were able to pick up some big home wins in conference to get them this far, but can they win on a neutral court. Their first opportunity will come in Tulsa against the fighting Tom Izzos of Michigan State. If they can avoid the normal MSU March Magic there, they will draw the one seed Kansas. While Miami has size and talent, I don’t see them making it past the Jayhawks.
2 Seed: Louisville
Once again, Rick Pitino has this team in prime shape for a run. With the combination of a great team and hall of fame coach, this team will be dangerous. They should go to at least the Sweet Sixteen, but with Oregon down their best big man, a deep run could be in place here. I actually have Louisville advancing to the national championship game as of right now.
1 Seed: North Carolina
Trying not to be too much of a homer here, but I love this UNC team. While their offense is as dangerous as ever, they leave much to be desired on the defensive end, especially with defensive specialist Kenny Williams out. Regardless, if UNC can either avoid or get past UCLA and Kentucky, they may make it all the way to Phoenix to finish what they couldn’t last year.
11 Seed: Wake Forest
Last in this article and the last ACC team to squeak in the field, Danny Manning has this program turned the right direction. With a very effective offense, Wake should defeat K-State, before meeting their likely demise at the hands of Mick Cronin and Cincinnati.