Virginia Tech (16-13) (NET: 58)
3-8 (Q1), 3-4 (Q2), 4-1 (Q3), 6-0 (Q4)
It’s uncertain if the Hokies have a real chance at an at-large bid, with mixed results in recent weeks. Their last five games have all been double-digit decisions, including a tough Tuesday loss at Syracuse and a great win over Wake Forest a few days later.
Much of the work on Virginia Tech’s resume came in the early days of the season, as the Hokies got Quad 1 wins over Boise State and Iowa State during the ESPN Events Invitational. A third Quad 1 win came over Clemson in early January, though that 34-point win over rival Virginia looks good despite being Quad 2.
Their Quad 3 loss came at home in mid-January against a Miami team that has underachieved this season. The 3-4 record against Quad 2 opposition isn’t exactly ideal and includes road losses against Florida State and Notre Dame.
First and foremost, Virginia Tech must defeat both Louisville and Notre Dame to finish the regular season. Then they’ll need to do some major work at the ACC Tournament, especially if they match up with one or more of the bubble teams in this league.
Wake Forest (18-11) (NET: 31)
1-6 (Q1), 6-5 (Q2), 5-0 (Q3), 6-0 (Q4)
Wake Forest put themselves in great position when they beat Duke, but last week really sucked the life out of that. The Demon Deacons lost at Notre Dame on Tuesday before a double-digit defeat at Virginia Tech four days later. They really didn’t need a winless week entering March.
The bad news for the Demon Deacons is that their late February win over the Blue Devils is their lone Quad 1 win. Victories over teams like Florida, Virginia, and Virginia Tech sit as Quad 2 wins and haven’t aged quite as expected.
Earlier Quad 2 losses to LSU and Georgia weren’t ideal, but at least there’s nothing worse than that on the resume. Wake Forest blew games at Florida State and Notre Dame but haven’t bottomed out as badly as some other bubble teams.
A team in great shape just one week ago will be sweating again. The good news is that the Demon Deacons finish the season at home and can do a lot of good if they beat Georgia Tech and Clemson this week. Winning against the Tigers would go a long way to securing this resume and might be a second Quad 1 victory.
All of our questions will be answered when we have bracket in less than two weeks, but which of these teams will be in the NCAA Tournament field? Which do you think will make the necessary moves to secure their place and which will fall just short?