As we get closer and closer to the gloriousness that is March Madness, I want to take a moment and applaud what the Atlantic Coast Conference, as a whole, has done over the course of this season. The ACC is primed to put ten (yes ten) teams in the big dance. Of course, the usual suspects are at the top of the conference standings. North Carolina has already claimed a share of the regular season conference title and could claim the regular season title outright. Duke, Florida State, Louisville and Notre Dame are also having a fantastic year in the gauntlet that is the ACC. So, as we close out the regular season, I thought it would be fun to rank the ACC teams according to likelihood to win the national title.
1. North Carolina Tar Heels
This is one of the most balanced Carolina teams since the 2009 team that won it all. Kennedy Meeks continues to be a rebounding machine on the inside. Joel Berry has been one of the best point guards in the country. Justin Jackson continues to perform at a relatively consistent level on the offensive end. UNC also boasts an impressive bench featuring Luke Maye and freshman Tony Bradley, who has tremendous upside. If there is any ACC team that is going to win it all, it's this team.
2. Duke Blue Devils
Why does Duke have a good chance to make a deep run in the tournament? One word: talent. The Blue Devils have one of the best starting fives in the entire country. Most teams want no part of the lethal Grayson Allen-Luke Kennard combination. If Duke plays to its capabilities, they will make some noise in the tournament.
3. Louisville Cardinals
This Lousville team has been fun to watch all year long. They can flat-out pummel you on the inside with guys like Deng Adel. Louisviile can also get it done on the outside with Donovan Mitchell raining threes on you at any given moment. To make a deep run, Louisville will need to be able to get more consistent scoring from the rest of their starters.
4. Virginia Cavaliers
Defense wins championships, and UVA has the best defense in the country. They also have veteran leaders such as London Perrantes and Isaiah Wilkins that can get a basket at virtually anytime. The Cavs will be a very dangerous team during March Madness.
5. Florida State Seminoles
Florida State, much like Duke and Louisville, has been overwhelmingly inconsistent. Don't get me wrong, FSU has plenty of talent in the form of Dwayne Bacon and Xavier Rathan-Mayes. However, to be realistic, the Seminoles do not have the kind of consistent players to make a deep run.
Teams that have next to no chance of winning it all:
Notre Dame, Miami, Syracuse, Wake Forest
