With yet another week of ACC basketball completed, we are getting a pretty good idea of who will represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament. Given the ACC basketball standings, Duke is a lock. But outside of the Blue Devils, who else is making the tournament? Joe Lunardi currently is projecting Miami, Duke, Notre Dame, Wake Forest and North Carolina in the field. He also has Virginia as a part of the honorable mentions for the next four out.
The ACC once again has a loaded week of games, with 14 on the schedule. With a matchup of North Carolina and Duke on Saturday, all eyes will be on ACC basketball this week. Saturday also marks the final regular season college basketball game from Coach K. Let’s take a look at the ACC basketball standings, the top headlines from the past week and the games of note for this week.
ACC Basketball News and Weekly Headlines
North Carolina Picks Up Big Win over NC State
Brady Manek, Armando Bacot and Puff Johnson were just three Tar Heels who helped to ruin the Wolfpack’s senior night. The trio combined for 60 points, with 28 of them coming from Bacot. The junior forward added another 18 rebounds and five blocks.
The Tar Heels quickly jumped out to a 20-5 lead. The lead eventually grew to 17 at the end of the first half. In the previous matchup between the teams, Carolina led by 25 at the break.
NC State opened the second half on a 6-0 run, with baskets from Terquavion Smith and Ebenezer Bowuona. North Carolina instantly responded with a 10-0 run of their own. The Wolfpack outscored the Tar Heels the rest of the way, going on a 39-28 run to drop the game by 10.
Duke Fends Off Virginia to Keep ACC Championship Hopes Alive
Duke’s AJ Griffin made back-to-back three-pointers and a layup in the last four minutes to give Duke a 65-61 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers. These were Griffins first points after scoring just once in the first 36 minutes. Griffin gave the Blue Devils a 60-55 lead with just under two minutes remaining in the game. Trevor Keels finished the game for Duke, scoring a basket and a free throw with 56 seconds remaining.
Virginia’s Kihei Clark made six three-pointers in the first half. He finished the game with 25 points, both career highs. Jeremy Roach lead the way for the Blue Devils, with 15 points. Reece Beekman, who hit the game-winning shot in these team’s previous matchup scored 11 points.
Virginia went on to lose to Florida State, making their tournament hopes almost diminished. It seems likely that the only way the Cavaliers will make the tournament is if they win the ACC Tournament, which is possible.
Updated ACC Basketball Standings
| School | Conf. Record | Overall Record |
| Duke | 15-3 | 25-4 |
| Notre Dame | 14-4 | 21-8 |
| North Carolina | 13-5 | 21-8 |
| Miami | 12-6 | 20-9 |
| Wake Forest | 12-7 | 22-8 |
| Virginia | 11-8 | 17-12 |
| Virginia Tech | 10-8 | 18-11 |
| Syracuse | 9-9 | 15-14 |
| Florida State | 8-10 | 15-13 |
| Clemson | 6-12 | 14-15 |
| Louisville | 6-12 | 12-16 |
| Boston College | 6-12 | 11-17 |
| Pittsburgh | 6-12 | 11-18 |
| Georgia Tech | 4-14 | 11-18 |
| North Carolina State | 4-14 | 11-18 |
Upcoming ACC Basketball Games to Note
Miami vs. Boston College
Date: Wednesday, March 2
Time: 9:00 P.M. EST
TV Coverage: ACC Network
Virginia vs. Louisville
Date: Saturday, March 5
Time: 12:00 P.M. EST
TV Coverage: ESPN2
North Carolina vs. Duke
Date: Saturday, March 5
Time: 6:00 P.M. EST
TV Coverage: ESPN
