No. 1 Miami (24-6, 15-3)
After missing the NCAA Tournament in Jim Larranaga’s first season in Coral Gables, Fla. the Hurricanes won its first Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title in 2013 with a veteran squad that features six seniors and three juniors. It is sophomore point guard Shane Larkin, however, who earned first team All-ACC honors. After starting the conference play 13-0, the Canes did finish 2-3 in its last five games.
No. 2 Duke (27-4, 14-4)
The Blue Devils enter the 2013 ACC Tournament the league’s hottest team. Buoyed by the return of senior forward Ryan Kelly, Duke finished the regular season with three straight wins, including a season-ending thrashing of UNC-Chapel Hill at the Dean Dome. The Devils start three seniors, Kelly, forward Mason Plumlee and guard Seth Curry, and look to the three for points and leadership. Plumlee finished first team All-ACC, and Curry made the second team.
No. 3 North Carolina (22-9, 12-6)
The Tar Heels got off to a rocky start this season and seemed certain to be head coach Roy Williams’ second NIT team in four years. Carolina righted the ship after a blowout loss at Miami. The Heels had a narrow loss to Duke in Durham and then reeled off six straight wins before being routed by Duke in its home finale. The change in fortunes coincided with Williams going small and inserting sophomore P.J. Hairston into the starting lineup. Junior Reggie Bullock and sophomore James Michael McAdoo were both named to second team All-ACC.
No. 4 Virginia (21-10, 11-7)
The Cavaliers are in the odd position of finishing in the top-four in the ACC but still resting squarely on the bubble for a NCAA berth. Virginia had some fine wins in John Paul Jones Arena, including an upset victory over Duke, but is being dragged down by a woeful early season performance against a weak schedule. The Wahoos are led by first team All-ACC guard Joe Harris and third team All-ACC forward Akil Mitchell.
No. 5 N.C. State (22-9, 11-7)
The Pack lost a chance for a first round bye in the ACC Tournament with its perplexing loss at Florida State in the regular season finale. State has its share of close games also, with three ACC games where the lead changed hands with less than a second remaining. Senior Richard Howell earned first team All-ACC honors and led the conference in rebounding with 10.6 boards per game.
No. 6 Florida State (17-14, 9-9)
The Seminoles depend mostly on senior Michael Snaer, who has an amazing propensity for hitting game-winning shots. After being inconsistent for most of the season, the defending ACC champions have won three of four games to secure a post-season berth. To return to the NCAA Tournament, FSU will have to repeat as title winners in Greensboro.
No. 7 Maryland (20-11, 8-10)
Like Virginia, the Terrapins have had some big wins versus top-tier competition but also have had some vexing losses that hurt its NCAA prospects. Maryland will probably need to win two games in Greensboro to earn an at-large berth and will be encouraged by the fact that it has defeated its potential opponent Duke on Friday once this season.
No. 8 Boston College (15-16, 7-11)
Boston College is the youngest team in the ACC and appears to have a bright future, but the Eagles must win two games to receive a post-season berth to the NIT this season. To make noise in this year’s tournament, BC will have to rely on its defense, as the Eagle offensive ranks below 140th nationally in four major categories.
No. 9 Georgia Tech (16-14, 6-12)
After a home loss to N.C. State on March 3, Georgia Tech head coach Brian Gregory, when asked about his team’s prospects for being post-season eligible, was only willing to take things “day-by-day.” The Jackets promptly went out in its next game and upset top-seed Miami in Coral Gables after trailing by double-digits. If Georgia Tech wins Thursday, it will face the Canes once again.
No. 10 Wake Forest (13-17, 6-12)
This season has been another train wreck for Wake Forest head coach Jeff Bzdelik. The Demon Deacons have marquee home wins versus Miami and N.C. State, but have often been listless and tend to go through long periods without scoring. There is much clamoring within the Deacon fan base for Bzdelik to be dismissed after this season.
No. 11 Clemson (13-17, 5-13)
Clemson has faded badly, losing nine of its last 10 games. The Tigers have several close losses however, including a two point defeat to Miami and a last second loss to N.C. State. To make a run in the ACC tournament, Clemson will need to improve in late game situations, particularly on defense and free throws.
No. 12 Virginia Tech (13-18, 4-14)
The Hokies have struggled in James Johnson’s first season in charge. The biggest problem for Virginia Tech has been finding scoring help for first-team All-ACC guard Erick Green. When Green does receive help, Tech is dangerous.
