ACC Basketball: Biggest questions and storylines for NCAA Tournament

ACC Basketball: Biggest questions and storylines for 2019 NCAA Tournament

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 16: Teammates Zion Williamson #1, RJ Barrett #5, and Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils react after defeating the Florida State Seminoles 73-63 in the championship game of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 16, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Head coach Jim Boeheim of the Syracuse Orange speaks to his team during a timeout against the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Are Syracuse and Louisville capable of deep runs?

Chris Mack did an outstanding job this season for Louisville. After taking over a beleaguered program, the former Xavier coach led the Cardinals to 20 wins. Suffice to say, that wasn’t expected this season. The Cardinals have some good players, led by forward Jordan Nwora, who scores 17 per game.

As a No. 7 seed in the East region, the Cardinals could face No. 2 seed Michigan State in the second round if they can get by Minnesota. Curiously enough, the Golden Gophers are coached by Richard Pitino, son of Rick Pitino, who the Cardinals dismissed last season amidst scandal. Talk about juicy.

Mack has had tournament success. He led Xavier to three appearances in the Sweet 16 and one appearance in the Elite Eight during his nine seasons with the Musketeers.

You can never count out Syracuse in March. This isn’t one of legendary head coach Jim Boeheim’s best teams, however, this team won at Duke in January in an overtime thriller and, yes, Williamson was on the court for the Blue Devils. Boeheim’s 2-3 zone defense has confounded teams for decades and that hasn’t changed. Boeheim forces teams to defeat the Orange from downtown and if you struggle, Syracuse will win.

The good news for Syracuse is leading scorer and All-ACC performer Tyus Battle will be back in action this week. The Orange are one of those teams who could lose in the first round or make it to the Elite Eight. You just never know and that’s the case again this March.