The ACC appears to be on the rise again, and the effects are being felt across the league. A few standout results from last week illustrate the shift: Duke defeated Florida and Michigan State, Louisville toppled Indiana, and North Carolina downed Kentucky — all against top-25 opponents. Through the season, the ACC has logged 10 wins over Top 25 teams, tying the Big Ten for the most in the nation.
Recently, ESPN analysts Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg joined a conference call with several reporters to discuss the ACC’s current trajectory. Bilas was quick to note a notable improvement compared with the previous year. Last season, the ACC was generally viewed as top-heavy, with Duke and Louisville as the primary strong teams and only four clubs earning NCAA Tournament bids, with North Carolina barely making the field via the First Four.
This season, eight ACC teams sit in the NCAA NET rankings’ Top 50, underscoring a deeper, more competitive league. Greenberg emphasized that much of this revival hinges on schools investing in their programs—funding for players and resources to boost basketball departments. He described a collective effort to restore the ACC to its traditional status as a dominant conference, suggesting that the returns on these investments could be substantial.
The ACC’s improved non-conference performance has been a clear signal of strength, extending beyond its notable ACC/SEC Challenge results. Bilas pointed out that the league’s quality non-conference showings set the tone for conference play, positioning teams to compete at a higher level overall.
A practical example of the improved depth: Syracuse, which previously had five conference games that counted as Quad 1 in the NCAA tournament equation, now faces a schedule that could include as many as ten Quad 1 games. Syracuse coach Adrian Autry also referenced the broader improvement, noting that a stronger league should yield more opportunities for significant wins.
This stronger foundation matters because Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins are pivotal for building a resume as the season unfolds. While NET rankings will fluctuate, the ACC’s expanded depth gives teams more chances to collect quality victories and stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation through conference play. Greenberg highlighted that decades of League depth translate into more opportunities to beat high-quality opponents and improve one’s tournament résumé, not just within the conference but against non-conference competition as well.
What this means for fans and programs is a potentially more unpredictable and competitive ACC season ahead, with more teams positioned to make a case for inclusion in March Madness.
What are your thoughts on the ACC’s resurgence? Do you see this as a lasting shift or a temporary uptick fueled by a few strong recruits and favorable matchups? Share your view in the comments.
