The Brackets Are Unveiled and the ACC is Well-Represented
Selection Sunday has come and gone, and the NCAA has revealed the 68 teams that will compete for the National Championship. And the ACC is well-represented in this year’s Big Dance.
North Carolina was–as expected–given a #1 seed in the Midwest. In fact, the Tar Heels received the #3 overall seed. They will play the winner of a play-in game between Lamar and Vermont. The looming 8-9 matchup for North Carolina is Creighton-Alabama.
In a move that was also expected, Duke was given a #2 seed. The Blue Devils were assigned to the South region, where Kentucky is the #1 seed. Duke will begin play against Lehigh. The looming 7-10 matchup for Duke is a tough one–#7 Notre Dame vs. #10 Xavier.
On the strength of their run through the ACC tournament, Florida State was given a #3 seed in the East. The #1 seed is Syracuse, while the #2 seed in the East is Ohio State. The Seminoles will begin play against St. Bonaventure. If they win that game, they will face the winner of the game between #6 Cincinnati and #11 Texas.
Virginia fell all the way to a #10 seed and was shipped out West. They will play the #7 seed Florida, who may be a bit underseeded. Even if Virginia wins, a very tough #2 seed in Missouri awaits. Michigan State was the #1 seed in the West.
North Carolina State was given an 11 seed. They will begin play against the #6 seed in the Midwest region, San Diego State. If the Wolfpack wins, they will play the winner of #3 Georgetown and #14 Belmont.
As noted above, Syracuse was the #1 seed in the East. They will begin play against #16 seed North Carolina-Ashville. If they take care of business there, the #8-#9 matchup features Kansas State and Southern Mississippi.
Obviously, this means that Miami did not make the cut. While the general consensus is that Iona was the only questionable addition to the field, the greater focus is on the exclusion of Drexel. Like all bubble teams, Miami had its chances and fell short. The NIT certainly awaits though.
The Confidential 