Busting Brackets
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ACC basketball: Power ranking the league down the stretch

By Michael Walton

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - January 31: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on January 31, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - January 31: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on January 31, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Kyle Guy
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 13: Kyle Guy /

Nothing new to see here. Head coach Tony Bennett has his squad playing their usual brand of stifling defense. Kenpom.com rates Virginia as the number one team in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing only 82.4 points per 100 possessions.

Virginia is too professional of a team to look ahead to the ACC Tournament. But they don’t seem to have any challenges left in the schedule, besides a March 1st game at Louisville. The Cavaliers method is: smother opponents with tough defense and hit timely shots. Their advantage is that sophomores Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome, and senior Devon Hall are all shooting 38 percent or above from the 3-point line. In the Cavaliers nine-point win at Miami, Guy scored 13 pts and Hall lead the way with 22 pts off the bench.  Their winning formula makes them a threat to make a serious Final Four run.

Next: 10 basketball teams that are risky bets for March Madness

The more interesting thing – rather than their last four ACC games – for Virginia at this point is if they can snag the #1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Villanova and Michigan State figure to be the only competition in that regard. Virginia heads into Wednesday’s game against Georgia Tech with one conference loss, and no more ranked opponents on the schedule.

This week: Wednesday vs Georgia Tech (H) – Saturday vs Pittsburgh (A)