Each ACC team played in a dangerous game on an adventurous Thursday in Charlotte. Duke battled through Cooper Flagg’s injury and a horrible start to avoid the upset against Georgia Tech. North Carolina trailed Wake Forest by double-digits early, but fought back and pulled away late to advance. Louisville blew a late lead themselves, but a Chucky Hepburn winner at the buzzer extended the new-look Louisville Cardinals’ season. Clemson grinded out a tough win against desperate SMU, relying on missed threes by the Mustangs late to avoid the upset.
Buckle up if the ACC Tournament semifinals are half as exciting as they appear to be. Three teams are cemented into the NCAA Tournament, while one seeks the final win to cement their spot. However, at the end of the day, all four teams will probably make the NCAA Tournament.
ACC Tournament Semifinals: All 4 will be NCAA Tournament Teams
Duke vs. North Carolina Part III
The best rivalry in basketball returns in an ACC Tournament semifinal elimination game. Duke will most likely play without their best player, Cooper Flagg, opening the door for North Carolina to pick up that important rivalry win. The first two matchups were not close. Duke dominated North Carolina in the first game, and pulled away for a comfortable win in the second. However, without Flagg, this game may be far more interesting. Duke played well without him, but can they play well consistently without the best player in the country? Duke is locked into a one-seed barring unforeseen circumstances, so the loss here means little.
North Carolina, on the other hand, has much to play for. While some bracketology updates still have them out, North Carolina has put together a resume that matches up well against the other bubble teams. Their Quad One (Q1) record is an atrocious 1-11, but they have an incredible 8-0 record in Q2 games. Have they earned their spot in the NCAA Tournament? I wouldn’t go that far, as bid-stealers are always dangerous in this last weekend. However, knowing what I know about the committee, there is always a team that appears to be on the outside of the bubble that makes the tournament. While there is no consensus on the Tar Heels, I believe they will end up in the field of 68. A win in the ACC Tournament semifinals would guarantee their spot.
Clemson vs. Louisville
There isn’t much to play for in this game in terms of the NCAA Tournament. Both of these teams have dominated ACC play to earn themselves a spot safely in the field. Two things matter now: seeding and a tournament title. Clemson has a chance to move up to as far as a three seed if results go their way, while Louisville has a chance to move up into the five/six slot depending on results. The matchups wouldn’t change too drastically either way. This ACC Tournament semifinal will premiere the biggest threats to Duke in the conference. Clemson already shocked Duke, and Louisville has lost only once since their early season loss to the Blue Devils. Both teams are playing for the conference crown. It should be an incredible game.
The Last Word on the ACC Semifinals
The ACC has had a bad year. Simply put, there have not been many bright spots. At one time, the conference seemed to be on their way to six or seven bids. However, conference play ruined any chances of that, leaving the ACC with only three locks going into the ACC Semifinals. Although the Selection Committee has surprised me before, the ACC will likely end up with these four teams in the NCAA Tournament. As much as it shouldn’t come down to this, it’s unlikely that the committee leaves out a power conference team like North Carolina for any mid-major team. Like it or not, the Tar Heels will probably be dancing next week.
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
