ACC-Good TV For Now

This ACC Tournament has given us some of the most compelling televised games in conference history. Underdogs won five of the first eight games, with a near miss in the Boston College overtime win against Miami. The ACC's twelve teams have shown beyond a shadow of doubt, that parity in this league is like no other.

But exciting games on television don't necessarily mean the ACC will accomplish that ultimate measure of league strength-winning games in the NCAA Tournament. While in most years, the ACC sends three, even four teams to the Sweet Sixteen, this year the league could (I said could not will) have a difficult team matching some of the other leagues.

Consider-Maryland looked like a surefire contender for that second week of NCAA play. Then Miami reminded us that the Terps can appear indifferent against teams that play a zone-oriented, halfcourt style. And if you really crash the boards, that really slows the Maryland break. Maryland could be vulnerable to a first or second round knockout.

Ditto Duke. The Blue Devils' last three opponents have shot 50% or better. This Duke team is not good enough offensively to overcome that, even with Gerald Henderson.

A week ago i would have predicted that Georgia Tech would be a Sweet Sixteen contender. The Yellowjackets can score inside and outside. They normally rebound and defend with a purpose. They did not do those things against Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament, so who knows what to expect in the NCAA's.

Virginia has not been the same team since J.R. Reynolds sustained that hip injury. Virginia's front court does not create its own shots. The Wahoos have a super point guard in Sean Singletary, but they need Reynolds to help draw the defense and create at least a few shots inside. Virginia will be hard-pressed to survive the first two rounds.

Boston College has a case of  "Seanitis." The Eagles now seem to really feel the effect of Sean Williams'  dismissal from the team-very limited inside game. BC's other Sean,  Sean Marshall,  has not been shooting well of late. Boston College has dropped four of its last six. Sweet Sixteen? Probably not.

Virginia Tech turned out perhaps the most impressive performance by an ACC frontrunner in Tampa. The Hokies'  defense produced four steals against Wake Forest in about 90 seconds time, and limited the Deacons to 52 points. Those are the kind of numbers that can get a team past its first two NCAA opponents.

North Carolina remains the ACC's best hope for a deep tournament run. The Tar Heels played adequately against Florida State-they really did try to get the ball inside more. This team should play in the NCAA Regionals, but needs a more proficient halfcourt offense to go with that high octane transition game. Most opponents will do everything they can to keep Carolina from running.

Those are the teams I see making the NCAA-seven, unless NC State wins the ACC Tournament. That would be a story worth its own blog!