From March 12th to March 16th, Washington D.C. will be the host of the 2024 Atlantic Coastal Conference Tournament.
The Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) is represented by 15 teams, including the “Blue Bloods” like Duke and North Carolina; however, there are a few underdog teams that can shock the ACC and earn a guaranteed spot in the March Madness tournament.
Contender: Duke Blue Devils
With a record of 24-7 and the 9th ranked team in the country, the Duke Blue Devils look to go back to back in the ACC tournament with another championship win. Led by center, Kyle Filipowski (So.), his inside scoring and close-to-double-double average along with his 50% field goal percentage compliments guard Jared McCain (Fr.), who shoots 41% from three.
Ceiling: Finals
Floor: Semifinals
On Upset Watch: Virginia Cavaliers
Currently in third place in the ACC, the Virginia Cavaliers are going to have to rely on Reece Beekman (Sr.) for success, as he leads the team in almost every statistical category. The 6’3 guard needs to step up as the Cavaliers don’t have the points to show for this year, with the squad averaging 63.2 points per game (425th in the nation).This team is on upset-watch heading into the conference tournament.
Ceiling: Semifinals
Floor: Quarterfinals
On the Up and Coming: Pittsburgh Panthers
Despite struggling earlier on in the season, the Pittsburgh Panthers have made a phenomenal turnaround in the ACC, sitting in 4th in the standings. Knocking off Duke back in late January seemed to be the spark as the Panthers have only lost three games since their victory over the Blue Devils.
Ceiling: Semifinals
Floor: Quarterfinals
Could Go Either Way: Syracuse Orange
Once on the brink of making the NCAA tournament, the Syracuse Orange have dropped to the 7 seed in the ACC after going 5-2 in their last seven games. After a crushing defeat to North Carolina earlier in the year, the Orange bounced back against the Tar Heels and won a “must-win” game at home. Led by arguably some of the best guard play in the AC with Judah Mintz and J.J. Starling, Syracuse can make a huge run in this tournament and surprise a lot of people, or suffer a loss in the second round, ending their hopes of making the NCAA tournament.
Ceiling: Semifinals
Floor: Second Round
Sleeper: Clemson Tigers
Lastly, the Clemson Tigers are the sleeper pick for this year’s tournament. Led by Syracuse transfer, Joseph Girard III, and one of the top centers in college basketball PJ Hall, the Tigers will go far in this tournament. Girard is averaging close to 16 points a game and is shooting over 40% from three. His shooting and driving ability will prove difficult to match up against. However, look for PJ Hall to continuously dominate the paint and glass. This duo, complemented by the depth on the bench, can be a threat in March Madness as well.
Ceiling: Finals
Floor: Quarterfinals
The Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
Being one of the seven teams who already defeated the Blue Devils this year, the North Carolina Tar Heels look to spoil the back-to-back run with a championship win of their own. One of the top teams in the ACC, and in the nation, the Tar Heels are going to have to rely on their seniority in Armando Bacot, who is averaging a double-double, and guard RJ Davis, who is averaging over 20 points a game. In my opinion, this is the team that will be the champions of the ACC tournament.
Ceiling: Finals
Floor: Semifinals
