USA TODAY Sports columnist calls the ACC a weak basketball conference outside of Duke
USA TODAY Sports columnist calls the ACC a weak basketball conference outside of Duke The ACC is no longer college basketball's premier conference.
The ACC used to rule college basketball, with nearly every team from the conference, highlighted by the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils, a threat to make noise in the postseason.
On Sunday, March 23 just hours before the 2024-2025 NCAA Tournament's final Round of 32 slate, one thing is clear: the ACC is no longer college basketball's premier conference.
The ACC sent just four teams to this year's Big Dance: regular season and ACC Tournament champion Duke, a resurgent, second-place Louisville under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, a strong Clemson squad and UNC. There's argument North Carolina didn't deserve to make the NCAA Tournament, but a 95-68 victory over San Diego State in the First Four proved otherwise.
USA TODAY Sports writer Dan Wolken highlighted how bad the ACC is in men's basketball, with Duke currently the only team holding it afloat.
"With just one team of the remaining 32 in the NCAA Tournament, there is no plastering over cracks in the foundation," Wolken said. "After Louisville's decisive loss to Creighton, Clemson's embarrassing crashout against McNeese and North Carolina's failed comeback from 22 points down in the second half against Ole Miss, this cannot be spun."
Wolken also points to Louisville keeping the ACC relevant, plus he likes NC State's hiring of Will Wade to make that program relevant once again. The Tar Heels hired Jim Tanner to be their basketball general manager, but if that doesn't pan out, Wolken thinks Hubert Davis won't be in Chapel Hill much longer.
I won't be cheering for the Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament, but Wolken has a point: they need to win in hopes of saving the ACC.
The future, at least for next year, is looking bright in Chapel Hill. 5-star power forward Caleb Wilson committed to UNC, choosing the boys in baby blue over rival Kentucky, while talented combo guards Derek Dixon and Isaiah Denis will join the roster. Seth Trimble wants to return and Elliot Cadeau needs another year or two to refine his game, while Ven-Allen Lubin should come back to help anchor the post.
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