NCAA tournament selection over the past few seasons has proven that games in November matter. Conference prestige, and thus the number of bids a conference earns, weighs heavily on performance in non-conference matchups. Bids to the tournament certainly are not earned at the beginning of November, but they certainly can be lost. This week, there are five important games for the ACC that will play a role in determining where the ACC will stand in March, one of which is an AP Top 10 matchup.
5 Important Games for the ACC in Week 1
5. Murray State @ Pittsburgh; Friday 11/8 at 7:00 p.m. ET
This is not exactly the game that many people expect to see on this list. It isn’t a big-time matchup between powerhouses. Nevertheless, it is an important game for the ACC between two tournament contenders.
No, Ja Morant is not playing for Murray State, but Murray State always makes noise in March. Pittsburgh narrowly missed the NCAA tournament last season, leaving them to try and make a more challenging non-conference schedule. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi made it clear that the non-conference schedule was the main reason for their exclusion. This game immediately becomes the most difficult mid-major opponent that Pitt has played since their last tournament appearance in 2023.
I will repeat this: bids to the tournament cannot be earned in November, but they can be lost. Pitt has to win this game for their own resume and the ACC. The ACC has made a habit of losing important games like this one, leading to their eventual lack of bids. Pitt was one of those teams left out, so this marks a good opportunity to start the season on a good note. I chose Pitt and Murray State, but there are several matchups that carry relatively similar weight. These important games for the ACC must all result in wins (decisive ones too) for the ACC to start gaining some respect back.
4. Boston College vs. VCU (neutral); Friday 11/8 at 6:00 p.m. ET
This game has a similar weight to the first but with less pressure. VCU is usually a tournament contender, and this season looks no different. They have already been marked as one of the mid-major teams to watch this season. The Atlantic 10 consistently asserts itself as a top mid-major conference, and VCU was projected to finish at the top. Boston College does not find itself anywhere near the top of any ACC projections.
However, this presents a perfect opportunity for the ACC to gain a win that carries some weight. The best way to separate from conferences like the Atlantic 10 is for the ACC to win important games like this one. Not only does it assert dominance over a mid-major, but it also adds to the resumes of ACC teams in the process.
ACC teams that fought for tournament spots struggled to receive recognition because of weak teams at the bottom of the conference. Teams like Louisville last season hurt resumes more than they helped. If middle- and lower-tier ACC teams can win these important games, their NET rankings will improve, thus giving better resumes to all the teams fighting for NCAA tournament bids.
3. Michigan @ Wake Forest; Sunday 11/10 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Now we are into games with conference championships at play. Wake Forest struggled last year early in the season. Michigan struggled most of the season. Both of these teams are looking for important wins early in the season. This game represents an opportunity for both teams in the first week.
Michigan is a team that was picked as a potential sleeper contender to win the Big 10 under first-year coach Dusty May. Dusty May led Florida Atlantic to 60 wins over the past two seasons, including two NCAA tournament appearances and one Final Four. Wake Forest is returning several key members to their team from last season, which finished strong in ACC play (11-9, 7th in ACC). Senior Hunter Sallis is the biggest returning player who could be a dark horse for ACC Player of the Year.
Wake Forest struggled early in the non-conference last year, making any chance at qualifying for the NCAA tournament difficult. Winning a game against a quality Big 10 opponent in the first week of the season would immediately bolster their resume come March. Michigan struggled last year, but they have much loftier goals this season. Expect the Wolverines to be competing for a spot in the tournament as well.
It is always an important game for the ACC when they face off against another power conference opponent. Wake Forest has the chance to get that signature win for themselves and the conference. Who knows? Maybe that could be the tiebreaker that cements their spot in the Big Dance.
2. 12 Tennessee @ Louisville; Saturday 11/9 at 12:00 p.m. ET
I referenced Louisville earlier as a team that brought down the ACC last season. New coach Pat Kelsey looks to turn around the squad in rapid fashion. One year ago, a potential matchup between these squads would have garnered no interest. Louisville would have stood no shot. This team hopes to change that.
Tennessee is a recent powerhouse from the SEC that once again has national title aspirations. Topping an opponent like Tennessee will not be an easy task. But combine the prestige of Tennessee with the new and improved Louisville team? That is the perfect recipe for an important game for the ACC.
The pressure is off Louisville. They play an interesting matchup against Morehead State to open the season, a game I strongly considered putting on this list. Assuming the Cardinals win that game (which is expected, but not a certainty), they will walk into the Yum Center on Saturday afternoon hungry for a marquee win and they have a shot.
It is a low-risk, high-reward game for Louisville and the ACC. Lose close and there is virtually no penalty. Win and Louisville immediately gather national attention and a statement win for their resume. Win and the bottom-dwellers of the ACC from one year ago officially leave the basement and possibly pull the ACC out with them.
1. 9 North Carolina @ 1 Kansas; Friday 11/8 at 7:00 p.m. ET
There was no question about which game would be No.1 on this list. This game is arguably the most important game of the entire non-conference season for the ACC. It certainly is the most important game for the ACC this week. I discussed several top headlines for the opening night of ACC basketball. For North Carolina, I expressed the importance of the first game of the season and this game is exactly why.
It is crucial on many fronts. Most importantly, for North Carolina, it marks an opportunity to establish themselves as a national title contender with the best win in the country through one week. North Carolina has one expectation: national championships. It’s still November, but beating the best team in the country on their floor certainly would make a statement.
Senior RJ Davis will be the star for the Tar Heels this season. He has all the makings of a great basketball player. However, he fell short in the most important game of his career. He wasn’t alone on the court the night North Carolina blew a 16-point lead to Kansas in the national championship game in 2022. However, a 5-17 shooting effort was not up to his expectations. Watch for RJ Davis to get his own revenge against the Jayhawks on Friday night.
Lastly, the game has serious implications for the ACC as a whole. The Big 12 has dominated the college basketball landscape for several seasons, including back-to-back championships in 2021 and 2022. This game has two of the perennial powers from each conference going head-to-head (don’t worry Duke, you’ll get your chance later). The ACC has a chance to make a statement by besting the top team in the country from the top conference in basketball. This opportunity does not come often, and the ACC must capitalize on it if it seeks to return to its pre-COVID basketball domination.
The Last Word
One thing is abundantly clear: this week could be the start of incredible things for the ACC. However, if things go the wrong way, it could be the start of yet another long, hopeless season for ACC teams hoping for respect. What a way to start the season.
