For much of the season, the ACC has been the subject of heavy criticism from the national media for being down once again.
Do I think this league is as bad as many say it is? Certainly not, as there are still plenty of talented teams that have the potential to win multiple games in the NCAA tournament.
That being said, there is no question the conference once again leaves something to be desired, particularly with its non-conference performance.
Florida State and Notre Dame have had very poor seasons, and no words are needed for the Louisville disaster.
Guess what? It’s a clean slate now. Regular season basketball has come and gone and the postseason has arrived.
With many teams in the ACC struggling with consistency, this is about as wide open as a power-conference tournament can get.
2023 ACC Tournament Bracket
 |
2023 ACC Tournament Odds
| Duke | +280 |
| Virginia | +300 |
| Miami (FL) | +340 |
| North Carolina | +600 |
| Clemson | +600 |
| NC State | +1200 |
| Pitt | +1400 |
| Wake Forest | +4000 |
| Virginia Tech | +5000 |
| Syracuse | +10000 |
| Florida State | +15000 |
| Georgia Tech | +35000 |
| Boston College | +35000 |
| Notre Dame | +50000 |
| Louisville | +100000 |
The Format
With 15 teams competing this week in Greensboro, there’s a pretty unique format for the tournament.
Here are the basics:
- Five total rounds starting on Tuesday and ending with the title game Saturday night
- Four teams with double-byes into the quarterfinals (Miami, Virginia, Clemson, Duke)
- Five teams with single byes into the second round (Pittsburgh, NC State, North Carolina, Syracuse, Miami)
- Three first-round matchups set (Florida State vs. Georgia Tech, Boston College vs. Louisville, Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech)
ACC Tournament First-Round Matchups
I’ll start off by giving some quick betting thoughts on each of the three known first-round matchups.
Florida State vs. Georgia Tech
Josh Pastner’s team has quietly been playing better basketball of late, and FSU has been headed in the opposite direction.
Boston College vs. Louisville
The season cannot end soon enough for Louisville fans, and it will do exactly that on Tuesday. BC is hot and should roll over the Cardinals.
Virginia Tech vs. Notre Dame
The Hokies will be the trendy pick to make another run after their magic from a year ago in this tournament.
I actually think Notre Dame has some value in this matchup, where it will be around a six-point underdog.
I’ll look to back the Irish in this spot, as I believe Mike Brey and his seniors will put their best foot forward in the final ride of the season. I could see ND pulling off the upset.
My Projected ACC Semifinals
Miami (FL) vs. Duke
These two teams are playing as good of basketball as any in the conference, and I believe they will be on a collision course for a Friday night showdown.
Miami should have too much offense for the winner of the Syracuse/Wake Forest game in the first quarterfinal.
As for the Blue Devils, well they have turned the corner, and I don’t see them having much trouble with No. 5 seed Pittsburgh.
A loss for the Panthers could put them in a bit of a dicey spot, but handling business against the GT/FSU winner should be enough to get Pitt to the Big Dance.
Miami will likely be a very short favorite in this matchup. As hot as the Blue Devils are, I’m just not betting against Jim Larranaga’s backcourt at this time of the year.
I’ll look to back Miami in the -2 or better range, and I expect it to move onto the title game.
Virginia vs. North Carolina State
Virginia will likely have to face a desperate North Carolina team in its first action in this tournament. The Tar Heels just beat UVA in Chapel Hill, and will need to do it again to keep their at-large chances alive.
I don’t think Tony Bennett cares.
Virginia will slow the game down, and I trust the Cavaliers' offense more than I do a spiraling UNC team.
In the bottom of the bracket, this is where I take an upset. I will say the NC State pick is a bit risky, as I think the winner of VT/ND could challenge the Wolfpack in the second round.
If NC State can survive that game, however, I really like the Pack’s chances of beating Clemson. It’s hard to beat a team three times, and that's what Clemson will need to do if that's indeed the quarterfinal matchup.
I’ll be backing NC State as a short underdog in that spot.
NC State/Virginia will be an interesting contrast of styles, but the UVA defense should prove to be the difference maker. Give me the Hoos to get it done, setting up a chalky 1 vs. 2 matchup in the title game.
My Pick to Win ACC Tournament
Virginia Cavaliers
Miami outlasted Virginia in Coral Gables earlier in the year, and I think the Cavaliers exact some revenge if these two teams meet in the title game.
The spread would likely be very close to a PK, as is the theme with a lot of these games.
I just trust UVA to bring it on consecutive nights a little bit more than a Miami team that can run a little hot and cold.
Betting Futures Pre-ACC Tournament
My official pick is Virginia over Miami in the title game, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be a few other futures I will be targeting before the tournament gets underway on Tuesday.
- Virginia to Win the Tournament +300
- NC State to Win the Tournament +1200
- Notre Dame to Win the Tournament +50000
As noted above, if the Wolfpack can get by the first game, they have the firepower and depth to make a run all the way to Saturday night.
If you didn’t think I’d be throwing a little couch change on Brey and the Irish at that price, you haven’t been paying attention. The season could easily end Tuesday night for ND, but you just never know if the old guys get on a heater from beyond the arc.
Other Matchup Leans (If Games Transpire)
- Duke over Pitt as a 4-to-5 point favorite in the quarters
- NC State over Clemson as a tiny dog
- Wake over Syracuse as a tiny favorite
- Miami over Duke as a tiny favorite
Grab your popcorn and sit back to enjoy what should be a fascinating five days in Greensboro.
