NCAA Basketball: Projecting autobids for each conference in 2018-19
By Bryan Mauro
ACC
Auto Bid: Duke
The Blue Devils are the overwhelming favorite to win the National Championship. This idea was only reinforced by the unbelievable comeback made earlier this week against Louisville. Duke was down by 23 points early in the second half and ended up winning the game by three points. It’s performances like that one and the two games against the Virginia Cavaliers that set Duke apart from the rest.
When Duke is making shots from beyond the arc, they are impossible to guard. The roster in Durham this year is the best roster Coach K has ever assembled. They will cement their name in the record books once they cut down the nets in early April.
Biggest Threat: Virginia
The Cavaliers have beaten every team they have played this season not named Duke. It is hard to justify that Virginia cannot still win the auto bid from the ACC when the team is unblemished by every team but one, and that one is the favorite for the National Championship. Much has been made about the regular season Cavaliers and the postseason version of this team. The reputation of not winning in the postseason is a little overblown. The loss last year to 16 seed UMBC, has motivated Virginia and Tony Bennett.
The Cavaliers are still allowing very little points on the defensive end. This year is different from other years, because Virginia is scoring at a clip many had not seen them score at this season. If Virginia keeps up this level of play, they will be tough to beat. Can Duke beat them a third time?