The ACC regular season is now complete and only three teams have locked up NCAA bids (North Carolina, Duke, Clemson). The Miami Hurricanes will most likely be the last ACC team that gets into the NCAA tournament. Virginia Tech has a strong conferenc record, but a weak RPI ranking. Right now, they would be one of the last teams left out of the tournament.
Teams, such as Maryland and Virginia Tech, will need to play themselves in the NCAA Tournament during the ACC Tournament, which begins later this week.
I) In the NCAA Tournament
Clemson 22-8 overall, 10-6 ACC #23 RPI
The good: The 2007 NIT runners-up, barring a complete disaster, will make the tournament. They defeated Purdue 61-58 and they went to overtime twice vs. North Carolina this year (88-90 OT loss and 93-103 2OT). Non-conference wins over Mississippi State, DePaul, South Carolina and Alabama.
The bad: 72-82 loss vs. Charlotte, 55-64 loss to Florida State, 72-75 loss to Miami.
Outlook: Clemson still has four conference games remaining: Miami and Virginia Tech at home and road match-ups with Georgia Tech and Maryland. Even if they go 2-2 in conference, Clemson will most likely receive and at-large bid based on the strength of their RPI ranking. They are a tough team that took the Tar Heels to the brink of defeat twice this year.
Update: Clemson defeated Miami 79-69 on Feb. 28th. Clemson now approves to 20-7, 8-5 in the ACC. Clemson came back against Maryland, down 12 at the half, to win 73-70 on March 2nd. Clemson took a step back losing to Georgia Tech 75-80.
II) On the outside looking in
Miami 21-9 overall, 8-8 ACC #26 RPI
The good: Miami is on a four-game win streak (Maryland, Duke, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech). Their remaining schedule is favorable. They have some nice wins this year: Duke (96-95), Clemson (75-72), Providence (64-58), St. Johns (67-48), Mississippi State (64-58).
The bad: Miami won the non-conference games they were supposed to win this year with maybe the exception of a 70-76 loss to Winthrop. Early in ACC play they struggled losing to Boston College, Florida State and North Carolina State.
Outlook: Miami looks poised to return to the NCAA Tournament. Their remaining schedule is favorable: at Clemson, Boston College, Virginia, at Florida State. Winning 4-straight games strengthens their case, as well as their RPI ranking.
Update: Clemson snapped Miami's 4-game win streak by defeating the Hurricanes 79-69. With the loss, Miami falls into the 'On the outside looking in' category.
On March 1st the Hurricanes defeated Virginia 95-93. On March 6th the Miami Hurricanes defeated the Boston College Eagles 74-61.
Virginia Tech 18-12 overall, 9-7 ACC #57 RPI
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