Busting Brackets
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Bracketology: Updated Bubble Watch and the Mailbag

By Lukas Harkins

Feb 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Matt Galloway (33) and guard Ahmed Hill (13) celebrate while leaving the court after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers 66-63 at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Matt Galloway (33) and guard Ahmed Hill (13) celebrate while leaving the court after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers 66-63 at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 2, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Justin Robinson (5) celebrates as the horn sounds following the victory against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies guard Justin Robinson (5) celebrates as the horn sounds following the victory against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

ACC

Lead-Pipe Lock: Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida State, Duke, Notre Dame

Some Perspiration: Virginia Tech

Better Double-Up on the Deodorant: Clemson, Wake Forest, Miami, Georgia Tech, Syracuse

Virginia Tech Hokies, 18-7 (7-6): For more on Virginia Tech, see the introduction of this article.

Quality wins: @ Michigan, vs. Duke, @ Clemson, vs. Virginia

Bad losses: vs. Texas A&M, @ NC State

Missed opportunities: @ North Carolina, @ Florida State, vs. Notre Dame, @ Virginia, @ Miami

Up next: @ Louisville (2/18), vs. Clemson (2/21)

Clemson Tigers, 14-11 (4-9): After dropping three games in a row, the Tigers got back on track on Tuesday night by defeating Wake Forest at home, completing the sweep of the Demon Deacons. In most years, the Clemson record would be far from the tournament cutline, but they are right on the bubble because of their impressive number of quality wins. Clemson was my fifth team out on Monday, so they still have to improve to get in.

Quality wins: @ South Carolina, vs. UNC-Wilmington, @ Wake Forest, vs. Georgia Tech, vs. Georgia, vs. Wake Forest

Bad losses: vs. Oklahoma

Missed opportunities: vs. Xavier, @ Georgia Tech, @ Louisville, vs. North Carolina, vs. Virginia, @ Notre Dame, vs. Virginia Tech, @ Florida State, vs. Syracuse, @ Duke

Up next: @ Miami (2/18), @ Virginia Tech (2/21)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 15-11 (6-8): Although Wake Forest doesn’t have the number of quality wins that Clemson has, they have the better conference record. The Demon Deacons went 1-1 over the past week but also got swept on the year by Clemson, another bubble foe. Wake Forest was the first team out of the tournament on Monday, but will drop a few spots due to their loss on Tuesday night.

Quality wins: vs. Miami, vs. Georgia Tech

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Villanova, @ Xavier, @ Northwestern, vs. North Carolina, @ Florida State, @ Virginia, vs. Duke, vs. Clemson, @ Syracuse, @ Notre Dame, @ Clemson

Up next: @ Duke (2/18), vs. Pittsburgh (2/22)

Miami Hurricanes, 16-8 (6-6): The ACC has already shown their weight as a powerful conference this year, and it is likely going to show on Selection Sunday. The conference has the possibility to get double-digit bids this season. With just a .500 record in the ACC, the Hurricanes are actually in decent shape to make the tournament. They were a ten seed in my last bracket and on the way up due to their strength of losses.

Quality wins: vs. North Carolina, vs. Virginia Tech

Bad losses: None.

Missed opportunities: vs. Florida, vs. Iowa State, @ Syracuse, @ Duke, vs. Notre Dame, @ Wake Forest, vs. Florida State, @ Louisville

Up next: vs. Georgia Tech (2/15), vs. Clemson (2/18)

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 15-10 (6-6): Although GT has 10 losses, they have three very very good wins and a couple other solid victories on top of that. To finish the year, their only game against a ranked opponent comes on the road against Notre Dame, who they already beat at home this year. With six games left in ACC play, going .500 for the rest of the year and for the entire conference schedule would likely put the Yellow Jackets in the tournament, but that all depends on what happens around them.

Quality wins: vs. North Carolina, vs. Florida State, vs. Notre Dame, @ VCU, vs. Clemson

Bad losses: vs. Ohio, @ Penn State

Missed opportunities: vs. Louisville, @ Virginia, @ Duke, @ Tennessee, @ Virginia Tech, @ Clemson, @ Wake Forest, vs. Georgia

Up next: @ Miami (2/15), vs. Syracuse (2/19)

Syracuse Orange, 16-11 (8-6): After going on a five-game winning streak in the ACC and creeping back into the projected bracket, Syracuse followed it up with an 0-2 week. With their final four games all coming against potential tournament teams (Georgia Tech twice, Duke, Louisville), they need to play solid basketball while probably going 3-1 to be in by the time conference tournaments begin.

Quality wins: vs. Florida State, vs. Virginia, vs. Wake Forest, vs. Miami, @ Clemson

Bad losses: @ Boston College, vs. St. John’s, vs. Connecticut, @ Pittsburgh

Missed opportunities: vs. Georgetown, @ Virginia Tech, @ Notre Dame, vs. South Carolina, @ Wisconsin, @ North Carolina, vs. Louisville

Up next: @ Georgia Tech (2/19), vs. Duke (2/22)

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