ACC Bombs in the NCAA

By Tom Suiter

Posted: March 18, 2007

They're all gone but one, and I can say that I'm not a bit surprised.

Seven Atlantic Coast Conference basketball teams were invited to the NCAA tournament -- more than any other conference -- and after just two rounds, only North Carolina remains.

Duke and Georgia Tech were eliminated after the first round, while Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Boston College bit the dust after two rounds.

The ACC did a lot of campaigning this year to get more teams into the tournament. The league publicity machine was in constant spin. They threw out there at every opportunity the league's RPI and strength of schedules etc, etc, etc to prove their case. It was brought up as often as dew in the summertime how the league was gypped last season with just four bids. It worked, and some even thought the ACC deserved more than seven.

Duke's Mike Krzyzewski talked at almost every news conference he had about how tough it was to win in the league. He wasn't the only one, and they were right about that. It was tough because there was parity in the ACC, but what all that equality meant was a paucity of stand-out teams.

If you watched the ACC enough this season, it was very easy to see that some pretty good teams did beat up on each other regularly. But only North Carolina, which bungled their way into tying Virginia for the regular-season crown, had Final Four potential.

And the Tar Heels, with their boatload of high school All-Americans and now with six straight wins, do seem to be putting it together as they venture into the Sweet 16.

So, as the old saying goes, the proof is in the pudding. The first two rounds prove that.

The ACC was interesting this season. It was enjoyable. It was OK.

It just didn't live up to the hype.

22 Comments

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hey dukee, that is what you need to do on all your duke attire. take a big dookie on them. duke was terrible this year and the rest of the ACC was terrible in the tournament. UNC will once again have to make the ACC look good again like 2005. thanks UNC

hillbill3
March 22, 2007 11:59 a.m.

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dookie...speaking of screwed up nicknames and maccots, we could start with Georgetown, Alabama, Miami just to get us started

hefty-lefty
March 21, 2007 7:21 p.m.

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And the Zinnman is at it again...more UNC jealousy and envy. Just grow up and move along, next season is not that far away.

newport31259
March 20, 2007 9:46 a.m.

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Somebody wake cyberbono up. He is dreaming. VCU was 25-6 and dominated their conference. It took Pitt O.T. to beat them. VCU beat DUKE by a last second shot. All of the ACC teams lost by just a few points and right down to the last few seconds. UNC has struggled as well so don't get so high and mighty. State will go far next year and both State and DUKE will own UNC next year. UNC make up your mind, is it a Tarheel or a Ram? Is there any other team in the Nation that has this screwed up name and mascot? Nope, just UNC. You can't even get your mascot right, let alone a prediction for next year. UNC will never make Atlanta, unless of course they are going to watch the NASCAR race.

dukee
March 19, 2007 4:23 p.m.

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Tom is exactly right about the ACC bombing in the tourney. Just look at the LONE remaining team, UNC! Duke was awful this year and so were the rest of the conference. Virginia tied for the league championship?!? Give me a break. I believe at the start of the year UVA was picked 11th or 12th. Ha!

Once Tyler de-masked against the Spartans their chances just fell by the wayside. Look for UNC to make it to Atlanta and cut down the nets. Roy Williams has turned UNC into a contender. Unlike his Kansas teams, Roy's UNC teams have the heart and determination to win it all for the next few years. If Tyler stays, Brendan and Lawson, OHHHH BOY...Carolina will own the Dookies and The Pack.

dryhumper
March 19, 2007 12:47 p.m.

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Isn't it interesting...the two teams that made it to the ACC final are the only two teams still playing ball. I know that NC State (Go Pack!) is in the NIT, and this is not the "Big Dance", however when you look at the number of quality teams they have played recently in a very limited time frame, it is still impressive. Personally I am looking forward to seeing what Coach Lowe can accomplish with a deeper bench in coming years. And by the way, can any conference match the success of the ACC in the last ten years? I don't think so!

howlin
March 19, 2007 12:10 p.m.

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I think everyone is missing the bus here. The story is about Tom Suiter bashing the ACC. The ACC usually does get screwed in the selections. This year we got seven and maybe two did go out in the first round but it's not like they were beat by 20. Most if not all went down to the final seconds. Some in O.T. Tom you are just plain wrong. If you don't believe it look at the last six years. 3 ACC National Titles. Nuf said.

dukee
March 19, 2007 11:12 a.m.

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Please, wolfpackfans....you cite one writers opinion of the Heels. Heck, he grouped Florida in the same category of UNC, didn't he. You might not recall, he also picked Texas to beat UNC in the Final 16 and we see how well that pick is going to pan out.

We shall see what happens Friday nite. There are no guarantees, that's why they play the game.

newport31259
March 19, 2007 10:49 a.m.

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Well, I can tell you that I was nervous, but not because it was NCSU. I was nervous because it was the ACC Championship Game. It could have been Duke, Va Tech, WFU, whoever and I was going to be nervous. That is also the nature of sports.

Again, you are assuming that MJ is biting his nails worrying about Sidney Lowe. I think that is a false assumption.

Didn't Sendek take NCSU to the ACC championship his first year? And I know for a fact that many, many State fans were convinced Chuck was going to be a savior, especically after the year when you guys beat Notre Dame.

Hey, I respect Coach Lowe, a lot. I think he is going to be good for the Pack, I really do. But, as I said before, I don't worry about what he is going to do. I worry about what Roy is going to do. And I'm sure Duke fans worry about Coach K, not Coach Lowe.

If all three teams are competing for ACC and/or National titles in the next few years, I would not be surprised at all.

newport31259
March 19, 2007 10:46 a.m.

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Newport.. I would be worried about your team too. SI.com is worried for UNC as well ..see their post..

"The Tar Heels were arguably the shakiest No. 1 seed coming into the tournament and they didn't exactly erase the doubts with their second-round win over Michigan State. UNC ultimately put away the Spartans over the final five minutes but allowed themselves to be lured into a dog fight by a far-less talented opponent."

I am a State fan but believe any ACC win in the tourney is good for the ACC as a whole. Hope UNC has what it takes. USC is out to win it for their slain Point Guard from last year so their heart is stronger than their play - we all know heart can win it!!

Can't wait until next year - State will be there where they belong thanks to Sid and a great team of players coming back!!

wolfpackfans4
March 19, 2007 10:44 a.m.

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