by Aubrey Moore
Photo byJC Gellidon onUnsplash
Basketball collegiate fans are silent no more after the NCAA organization had decided to launch the 2021 March Madness season. The event got suspended last year because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Although the disease has not been contained yet, the NCAA will proceed with the basketball tournament this year in stricter health regulations.
To make the 2021 March Madness possible, the NCAA organization is housing all the participants to their headquarters. It means that the seeding and matches will occur in Indiana and its nearby venues. The 2021 NCAA finals will settle at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana, which was supposedly the location last year.
Competed by thirty-two divisions, the NCAA Division 1 All Men’s Basketball is probably the grandest collegiate sports tournament. In line with that, the Atlantic Coast Conference is one of the groups that bring massive and powerful teams to the NCAA. That said, here are the ACC’s best free picks today that might earn a slot in the 2021 March Madness Selection Sunday.
Virginia Cavaliers
The 2019 NCAA defending champions are heading to another great season this year. In 2019, they faced the Big 12’s Texas Tech at the finals but had successfully defeated them. Today, they are on the first rank in the Atlantic Coast, garnering nine victories and one loss. They won against Pittsburgh in their last game and will wrestle Georgia Tech and UNC this weekend.
Florida State Seminoles
The Florida State Seminoles got a sugary ending last NCAA season after they landed in Sweet 16. However, as they faced Gonzaga in the said round, they lost to a 72-58 game. In the ACC today, Florida State is getting back on track sitting in the second spot. They got six wins and two losses, which might soar high if they win against Wake Forest and Virginia in the next few days.
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies won against Miami yesterday, with an 80-76 game run. That said, they get the third spot in the ACC odds ranking with eight wins and three losses. Last NCAA season, they were at the Sweet 16 but lost to the Duke. In the coming days, Virginia Tech is looking to boost their lines jousting against Louisville.
Louisville Cardinals
The Louisville Cardinals were looking fine last season as they got a slot in the First Round. However, they failed to dispatch Minnesota, which delayed their success. Looking into their ACC odds, the Cardinals are at the fourth seed with six victories and three losses. They might soar high if they secure a win against Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech.
UNC (North Carolina Tar Heels)
UNC appeared in the 2019 NCAA Sweet 16, but their destiny wasn’t too delightful. They were defeated by Auburn, denying their entry to the Elite Eight. Today, they are bouncing back at ACC, sitting next to Louisville with seven victories and four defeats. UNC won over the Duke yesterday and will see Miami and Virginia this weekend.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Yesterday, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets successfully beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to an 82-80 game run. That said, they inch a step higher in the ACC odds ranking earning a total of five wins and four losses. In two days, they will wrestle against Virginia and Clemson.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson got lost to the NC State in the ACC match-up last season, which ended their streak. Today, they are at the 7th seed, earning six wins and five losses. They won over UNC a few days ago, which boosted their lines. On the other hand, they are looking to soar high even more in the next few days once they turn down Georgia Tech.
Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers were doing great last season at the ACC but have failed to get seeded in the NCAA. Today, they are doing a great job of grabbing the 8th seed in the said conference. Pittsburgh is equal at five wins and losses. In the coming days, they will joust against Louisville and Georgia to hopefully improve their lines.
Duke Blue Devils
Duke Blue Devils were a bit upset in the NCAA last season after getting defeated to a point in the Elite Eight courtesy of MI State. Despite this tough loss, Duke Blue Devils are coming back from behind in the ACC today with five wins and losses. They are hoping to dispatch Notre Dame and NC State to ascend in the ACC ranking.
Syracuse Orange
Syracuse lost to Clemson last week but will bounce back as they face NC State and Boston College this week. They occupy the 10th rank in the ACC odds ranking, presently earning four wins and five losses.
Takeaway
The Atlantic Coast Conference has had fifteen collegiate teams since 1953. They got their recent title through the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2019 NCAA. As the teams coming from this group vie for next March Madness honor, can Virginia sustain a back-to-back title, or will other schools win it this season?