Bracketology 2020: Storylines to watch in ACC Basketball Tournament

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 8: The NCAA Basketball Tournament Selection Committee meets on Wednesday afternoon, March 8, 2017 in New York City. The committee is gathered in New York to begin the five-day process of selecting and seeding the field of 68 teams for the NCAA MenÕs Basketball Tournament. The final bracket will be released on Sunday evening following the completion of conference tournaments. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – MARCH 07: Mamadi Diakite #25 and Braxton Key #2 of the Virginia Cavaliers (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

SEEDING SCENARIOS

Virginia’s Rise

It wasn’t that long ago that the college hoops punditry proclaimed the reigning National Champion’s hopes of defending that title as dead and buried. And yet, like a phoenix, the Hoos have risen from the ashes of a disappointing season to firmly entrench themselves in the field of 68. The question is no longer whether this team will dance in March, but rather now how high will the seed be and how far can this team go?

Make no mistake, the offense is still lethargic by design, ranking last of all 353 men’s Division I basketball teams in tempo, and remains ineffective much of the time. But that defense…oh that defense. It wasn’t long ago that I proclaimed Virginia, along with the rest of the ACC outside of Florida St., to be among the most overrated teams in college hoops, and that a Final Four berth was highly unlikely. And now? Well, is that crow? Because I’m hungry.

Tony Bennett has done a masterful coaching job with this roster. Kihei Clark and Mamadi Diakite have rounded into form leading this team with key contributions from Jay Huff, Tomas Woldentensae, and Braxton Key. Virginia in the Final Four? I still say it’s unlikely, but coming off eight wins in a row entering the ACC Tournament, it’s far more likely now than at any previous point this season.