Duke Basketball: How Loss to Florida State in ACC Tournament Affects Seeding

The Duke Blue Devils lost a thrilling game to Florida State, 62-59, in the ACC conference tournament this afternoon, and now the question is how this will affect their seed in the NCAA tournament?

Duke looked uncharacteristic in their game against the Seminoles, shooting 37.3 percent from the floor, including only 25 percent from three (5-of-20). They did not play good basketball, having 14 turnovers in the first half.

Duke's shots weren't falling today, and the result is that they had a poor offensive showing. Typically, holding an opponent to 62 points would be enough for a win, but Duke's horrible offensive showing led to their defeat.

We knew that Duke relied heavily on their threes coming into today, but their inability to make more than five threes in each of their last two games is an area that needs to be addressed.

In terms of the seeding for March Madness, Duke looked like a No. 2 seed coming into today, but they had a chance to snag a No. 1 seed if they could beat Florida state and then North Carolina in the championship game.

However, Duke suffered just their fourth loss in the last 13 years in the ACC Tournament, and the Blue Devils are now wondering where the committee will put them.

Duke's competition for the No. 2 seeds are Kansas, Michigan State, Ohio State, Missouri, Marquette, Michigan and Baylor.

Michigan State and Ohio State play in the Big Ten conference tournament championship game tomorrow, and the winner will get at least a No. 2 seed., with the loser getting a No. 3 seed.

However, if Baylor beats Kansas in the Big 12 conference tournament, or Florida State beats North Carolina in the ACC championship game, then the winner could get a No. 1 seed, and whoever falls from the ranks of the No. 1 seeds will get a No. 2 seed.

The best news for Duke in this situation is to have Missouri win today, and Michigan State and UNC win tomorrow, in which case Michigan State and UNC will take No. 1 seeds, along with Syracuse and Kentucky.

Marquette has pretty much been eliminated from getting a No. 2 seed with their loss to Notre Dame in the Big East quarterfinals.

Michigan has lost their dreams of a No. 2 seed, however, as they lost in the Big Ten tournament, which means that they will get a No. 3 seed at best.

Baylor and Missouri are both playing to increase their seeds, and the winner should take a No. 2 seed.

To recap, these are the teams that are locked ahead of Duke: Kentucky, Syracuse, North Carolina, Kansas, Missouri and Michigan State. That leaves two open No. 2 seeds in the Big Dance.

If Baylor beats Missouri today, then one of the two No. 2 seeds will have to go to Baylor. If Ohio State beats Michigan State tomorrow, they will also surpass Duke.

It is unclear whether Ohio State is considered higher than Duke, but my guess would be yes. Duke's best hope of getting a No. 2 seed is to root for Missouri over Baylor. If Missouri wins, Duke will take the last No. 2 seed.

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