Son of "Seven Bids What Now?"

A week ago I suggested the ACC had put itself in a difficult position, by attracting seven bids to the NCAA-more than any other league. Although from the standpoing of finances and future recruiting, the ACC is better off putting seven teams in the tournament, becoming the top bid-getter brings the bright lights glaring on every game involving an ACC team. The league's prestige suffers when six of those seven teams lose in the first two rounds.

In the first week of the tournament, the ACC's seven teams posted a record of just 6-6. Duke and Georgia Tech lost in the first round. Maryland, Boston College, Virginia, and Virginia Tech bowed out in the second round. Only North Carolina reached the Sweet Sixteen in a league accustomed to sending three and four teams to that round.

The SEC and the PAC 10 are the heavyweights to this point. Both conferences have put three teams in the regionals. Both the Big 12 and the Big East, neither of whom was rated as high as the ACC, put two teams each in the Sweet Sixteen. Conference USA and three mid-majors will put as many teams on the floor this week (one) as the ACC.

The ACC has received far fewer bids in recent years. Five, four-one year the league received only three bids. Not surprisingly, a number of the ACC schools that got bids this year, were making their first trips to the NCAA Tournament with their current  players. That inexperience showed for schools like Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Maryland.  In addition, Georgia Tech, Duke, and UNC have all fielded freshman-sophomore dominated teams. Only Boston College, led by the tandem of Jared Dudley and Sean Marshall could count two senior leaders among its top four players.

The youth argument may play well with ACC fans, who should have some good years to look forward to. But those outside the area will see a league where practically each school could beat another in conference play, but not make much of a post-season dent against  the major powers of other conferences. From a prestige standpoint, the ACC is better off sending four or five strong teams to the NCAA and advancing four of those to the Sweet Sixteen.

Every year it seems, the Big Ten gets criticized for pulling down bids for six or seven teams, who then make an early exit. Well, this year the Big Ten got six bids. Only one of its schools is still playing. Just like the ACC.