2026 ACC Tournament

[3397char]

Now that UNC has clinched the 3 seed with the UVA road win it is time to start thinking about tourney matchups and implications.

3 seed means a double bye into the quarter finals with a matchup against the winner of the 6 seed vs 11/14seed game. We will play Friday at 7:30 PM

While an upset in that 6/11 game would ease our pathit is unlikely. And maybe a shot at another Quad 1 game win would be nice for our resume.

There are still a ton of potential 6 seed opponents due to a log jam in the standings. With a 1 game lead for 4th and only lowly Pitt left on the schedule let’s assume NCSU will not drop to 6th

the other possible 6 seeds and their current NET ranking:
#41 Cuse
#40 VT
#36 UVA
#26 ND
#38 Clemson

The cutoff for Quad 1 in a neutral site game is 35th. UVA & Cuse will likely drop a bit after today’s losses and any of these teams will likely drop a bit if we get our intended outcome and beat them.

So ND likely will be the only Quad 1 opportunity. Not sure I want to play Hidalgo again with no Reniya if she remains unavailable. So maybe I am rethinking that Quad 1 chance and we save that for the semis. On paper ND is the least likely opponent as they would have to beat Ville this weekend for a chance to rise to 6th.

 

[6string]

Good analysis. I have been trying to game these tournaments in my head as to who I would rather play for a long time. Usually doesn’t work for me. I have finally come to the conclusion to not worry about it. Just beat the team you play.

 

[oldwell]

Interesting the cut-off for Quad 1 is different for women.

We’re playing our best ball. Let’s go on a run.

This team would only have 2 ACC losses the way they’re playing right now (due to improved free throw shooting), and I don’t think that’s a hot take at all.

Would really like to inch up and secure a 4 seed for the big dance.

 

[Jriv23]

The bottom line is beggars cannot be choosey. We are wanted a double bye and we got it. We just have to beat Duke Sunday and the team we will have to play in the ACCT. I do not mind playing ND. We could have beat them if the game plan would have been the same one that we used against K. Johnson. HH is the head of the snake. We did not have a team effort defensively to stop her like we did KJ last night. Closing the gaps when she tried to drive, getting over the screens and not going under them. Forcing the other players on their team to beat you. This is what the teams who did beat ND did. Now, we know what needs to be done defensively when you are playing a team that has a player that is the head of the snake for that team. I listen to the post game and that was what CB and IN was talking about from a defensive standpoint on KJ.

 

[3397char]

UNC will be playing the VT vs GT/WF game winner. VT is a Quad 2 game, GT is Quad 3, no way WF wins two to play us.

 

[Jriv23]

Anything is possible. Upset can happened. Just asked Michigan when Division beat them in NCAAT with Steph Curry or when Ap State beat Michigan in football at Michigan.

 

[GaHeelFan]

Full Bracket

 

[3397char]

I am glad for (hopefully) a second shot at Louisville. We had them beat and I think we are a significantly better team than when we played them in Dec. I'm sure they are better as well; their record says so. But I like our chances.

 

[tarboy]

Going to have to beat VT again ;probably in the first game. I think we might need it to Host.

 

[3397char]

Round 1: #12 Miami beats #13 Stanford 83-76. Stanford has really cratered after beating UNC. That probably ends their chances for a bubble spot (NET #42 before today). It will be interesting to see if they accept a WNIT bid.