Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball: Buy or sell Duke, North Carolina, UVA, Louisville and Va Tech

By Joe Cook-Shugart

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half of their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 72-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 19: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils reacts during the second half of their game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 19, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 72-70. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – JANUARY 26: Justin Robinson #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Cassell Coliseum on January 26, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – JANUARY 26: Justin Robinson #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies celebrates during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Cassell Coliseum on January 26, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images) /

Virginia Tech

Expectation: Make the tournament and win a game
Buy or Sell: Buy

The Hokies have won exactly one tournament game this millennium, and it was a two-point squeaker to narrowly avoid the cliché 5/12 first-round upset. If Buzz Williams wants to earn the $3 million annual salary they are currently shelling out to him, he ought to be able to win an NCAA Tournament game – something he has yet to do since becoming head coach in 2014.

If there is any time to finally break through, this year with this squad is the time to do it. Future lottery pick Nickeil Alexander-Walker has gotten better and more efficient in every aspect of his game from his freshman to sophomore season, while the composure and leadership of senior Justin Robinson cannot be overstated.

As we discovered in my statistical analysis of potential title contenders, Virginia Tech’s measurables suggest that they are capable of making a deep run. Considering the lack of success the Hokies have historically in basketball, tempering expectations (even with a 17-3 start to the season) is something every reasonable fan should do.

With the low bar set, I’m buying the Hokies – they might even make their second Sweet 16 appearance in program history.