ACC Tournament Bracket 2012: Title Contenders Not Named Duke or North Carolina

UNC is unbeatable.

But if they do get knocked off, Duke had their finger on the trigger.

Believe it or not, there are other solid basketball teams that play in the ACC tournament.  If the Tar Heels or Blue Devils were to fall short, these are the teams most likely to cut down the net instead.

3. NC State

NC State failed to finish within single digits of the Tar Heels in their two meetings this season.  But that doesn’t mean that they aren’t talented enough to pull it off.  They enter the conference tournament on a two-game winning streak with victories over Miami and Virginia Tech.

The Wolfpack get Boston College in Round 1, Virginia in Round 2, the winner of North Carolina vs. whoever they play in Round 3 and the hottest team from Duke’s side of the bracket in the title.

2. Virginia

Virginia will struggle to get through the Wolfpack, but they’re capable of knocking off the bosses of the ACC.  They lost by just three points in their last meeting with the Tar Heels and at Cameron Indoor earlier in the year.  Mike Scott will have to carry this borderline top-25 team.

The Cavaliers get a first-round bye, would have to take on the winner of NC State-Boston College, then the victor of North Carolina vs. whoever they play and finish with the hottest team from Duke’s side of the bracket. 

1. Florida State

FSU is the only team in the nation to beat both UNC and Duke this season.  They massacred the Tar Heels 90-57 and went into Cameron Indoor to shock the Blue Devils.  Florida State is currently ranked No. 17 in the country and is coming off two straight wins over Miami and Clemson.

The Seminoles get a first-round bye, would have to take on the winner of Miami-Georgia Tech, then the victor of Duke vs. whoever they play and finish with the hottest team from North Carolina’s side of the bracket.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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