All depends on conference strength in non-conf games
That is always a key factor in how many teams a conference will get in because it gets set in stone by late December and after that the conference teams just take turns beating each other and the overall conference strength rating can't change much.
Now if you are saying that the ACC is guaranteed now to forever be behind those two conferences given the current strength of programs, ability to spend, etc -- well, that may be true. But if you are claiming that there will be an implicit selection bias for those two conferences even if the on-court results don't show them to be the best -- I honestly don't think that's the case. Every year you can look at the various metrics as a result of non-conference play and come pretty close to guessing how many teams each conference will wind up getting.
Thread Replies (18)
CBS Sports ACC Early Preview Article tabs us as an NCAA Tournament Team**
-- SteveInBaltimore
Jun 03, 2026 at 01:39 PM ET
SteveInBaltimore
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06/03/26 01:39 PM ET
I tend to agree, the schedule also sets up really well for us
-- soflahokie
Jun 04, 2026 at 09:39 AM ET
soflahokie
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06/04/26 09:39 AM ET
We basically play all the top projected teams at home. Florida st is away
-- SC_Hokie
Jun 03, 2026 at 04:10 PM ET
SC_Hokie
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06/03/26 04:10 PM ET
F$U is away...push me over with a feather...lol**
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 04, 2026 at 10:39 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/04/26 10:39 AM ET
We also play UNC at home.
-- HokieJonez
Jun 03, 2026 at 05:17 PM ET
HokieJonez
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06/03/26 05:17 PM ET
He’ll either choke or go 30-10-10. There is no in between**
-- WV Gobbler
Jun 03, 2026 at 07:50 PM ET
WV Gobbler
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06/03/26 07:50 PM ET
Yeah, right now they look like a borderline top 30ish team this year.**
-- Vaguy70
Jun 05, 2026 at 07:09 PM ET
Vaguy70
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06/05/26 07:09 PM ET
They are ranked No. 25 in ESPN Way-to-Early Top 25 Poll FWIW.**
-- hokietony
Jun 04, 2026 at 08:41 AM ET
hokietony
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06/04/26 08:41 AM ET
They wouldn’t be if their name wasn’t UNC
-- SC_Hokie
Jun 04, 2026 at 06:26 PM ET
SC_Hokie
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06/04/26 06:26 PM ET
Hard for me to imagine how these predictions are made for VT.
-- VT ChemE 1986
Jun 03, 2026 at 03:14 PM ET
VT ChemE 1986
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06/03/26 03:14 PM ET
I recommend you try imagining a healthy team that doesn't lack a starter
-- HokieJonez
Jun 03, 2026 at 05:31 PM ET
HokieJonez
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06/03/26 05:31 PM ET
Of course with a 76 team tournament, I think 9-9 ACC is going to be pretty
-- SteveInBaltimore
Jun 03, 2026 at 03:23 PM ET
SteveInBaltimore
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06/03/26 03:23 PM ET
8-10 B1X and SEC teams are a lock. A 9-9 ACC team is on the cusp.**
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 04, 2026 at 10:23 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/04/26 10:23 AM ET
All depends on conference strength in non-conf games
◄
-- SteveInBaltimore
Jun 04, 2026 at 10:29 AM ET
SteveInBaltimore
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06/04/26 10:29 AM ET
ESPN and Fox will ensure their preferred conferences are well represented
-- EDGEMAN
Jun 04, 2026 at 10:39 AM ET
EDGEMAN
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06/04/26 10:39 AM ET
It’s based on Nov/dec results as someone said above.
-- GoldCoast
Jun 04, 2026 at 11:15 AM ET
GoldCoast
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06/04/26 11:15 AM ET