Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball takeaways: North Carolina, Clemson revive NCAAT hopes

By Brian Emory

RALEIGH, NC - FEBRUARY 25: Brevin Galloway #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts following a three-point basket against the NC State Wolfpack at PNC Arena on February 25, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Clemson won 96-71. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - FEBRUARY 25: Brevin Galloway #11 of the Clemson Tigers reacts following a three-point basket against the NC State Wolfpack at PNC Arena on February 25, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Clemson won 96-71. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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ACC Basketball Puff Johnson #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
ACC Basketball Puff Johnson #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

After sending three teams to the Elite 8 and two to the Final Four a year ago, the 2022-23 college basketball season has been one to forget so far for the fabled ACC Basketball.

Entering the weekend, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had five ACC programs in his most recent field of 68. Of those five teams, Virginia and Miami were each projected to be a four-seed. Duke was given a seven, NC State an eight, and Pittsburgh a ten.

Despite winning eight of its last nine games and entering the weekend just half a game back off the conference lead, the Panthers were included in Lunardi’s section of “Last Four Byes,” which suggests the team still has some work to do if they want to safely be in the field two weeks from now.

While we know the NCAA Tournament isn’t exactly known for its predictability, it’s difficult to remember a time this deep into the season when there isn’t a single ACC team being discussed as having a legitimate chance to win a National Championship.

This infrequent mediocrity has set the stage for a chaotic season where the league is still up for grabs in the last week of February. Not only are multiple teams still in the running for the ACC regular season crown, others entered the weekend with fading NCAA Tournament hopes.