Bracketology 2020: Virginia, DePaul and Washington among week’s losers

ACC

1. Virginia

Virginia’s struggles on offense have been well-documented throughout the first two months of the season, but the Cavaliers had been (mostly) surviving on their steel-trap defense. Heading into the week, Tony Bennett’s team sat at 3-0 in the ACC and 11-2 overall, a pair of comely records that served as fingers in the eyes of every detractor.

But losses to Boston College and Syracuse—the latter coming at home—have pulled back the curtain on the Cavs. Virginia has now failed to reach 60 points in 60 percent of its games. A low-scoring offense is one thing; the Cavaliers have been flat-out inefficient on that end of the floor.

With these flaws on full display, Virginia suddenly looks like they could be in serious danger of missing the NCAA Tournament altogether. What a twist that would be in the wild saga in Charlottesville.

But at least they’re still right in the thick of things. They can turn things around relatively quick in a league with a lot of valuable wins lying around.

That task may prove harder for Roy Williams and North Carolina.

2. North Carolina

The Tar Heels dropped both of their games on the week, first falling to Pittsburgh and then to Clemson. To add insult to injury, both losses came at the Dean Dome. To add a little extra misery on top, it was the first time that Clemson had ever won in Chapel Hill.

Yeesh.

The loss to the Tigers brings UNC to an even 8-8 on the year, with the team having won just three of its last eleven games after starting out 5-0. A few weeks ago, the NIT jokes started up about North Carolina. After the Georgia Tech loss on Jan. 4, the giggles turned to hushed whispers as the gravity of the Heels’ situation set in.

But now, even the NIT seems like a stretch.

Bracketology without North Carolina feels strange and incomplete.

Alas, we press on.

3. Notre Dame

Last up for the ACC bracketology losers this week is Notre Dame. The Irish lost twice last week and have limped out to a 1-4 start in league play. Mike Brey’s club was right in it with both NC State and Louisville but fell short in both contests.

Notre Dame’s 10-6 record isn’t prohibitive of a postseason appearance by any means, but that rough opening to ACC play could truly be a millstone around their collective neck come March. The 67-64 loss to Louisville won’t hurt their resume at all, but the fact that the Irish came so close will certainly sting.

There’s an old Irish saying that begins, “May the road rise up to meet you.”

Well, the Irish are running out of road in South Bend.