ACC Teams See Stock Drop Ahead of Conference Title Week

As college basketball approaches Selection Sunday, several teams have seen their stock shift dramatically in the lead-up to conference championship weekend. Some programs are bolstering their credentials for an NCAA tournament bid, while others are facing potentially devastating setbacks.

Stock Rising: Teams to Watch

• Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes secured three consecutive wins, including a significant 91–78 victory over Indiana. With a record of 20–11, they are well-positioned for a tournament spot.
• Oklahoma Sooners: After a thrilling overtime win against Texas, the Sooners now boast six victories in their last eight games. This puts them in contention, particularly with a few additional wins in the SEC tournament.
• San Diego State Aztecs: A recent Q3 win against UNLV has kept their at-large hopes alive, though they still might need to clinch the Mountain West title for guaranteed entry.
• Texas A&M Aggies: The Aggies triumphed over LSU in a high-stakes three-overtime conflict, marking their sixth Quad 1 win of the season. They remain solid contenders regardless of future tournament outcomes.
• UCLA Bruins: The Bruins guaranteed their place in the NCAA tournament after decisively defeating USC, giving them five Quad 1 wins and closing their season with four victories in five games.
• VCU Rams: With a crucial road win over Dayton, the Rams have positioned themselves as likely candidates for the First Four but must perform well in the Atlantic-10 tournament to solidify their chances.
• West Virginia Mountaineers: They secured a Quadrant 2 win over UCF, but will need a deep run in the Big 12 tournament to keep their NCAA hopes alive.

Teams Facing Challenges

• Auburn Tigers: Despite playing many Quad 1 games, the Tigers fell to Alabama, marking their season as dire. With a record of 16–15, they must capitalize on the SEC tournament to have any hope of an at-large bid.
• Cincinnati Bearcats: After two recent wins, they faltered against TCU, putting their NCAA tournament hopes on the line as they likely face NIT aspirations barring a strong Big 12 tournament performance.
• Indiana Hoosiers: A streak of losses leaves their at-large hopes slim, requiring a significant turnaround in the Big Ten tournament.
• Virginia Tech Hokies: With a difficult season evidenced by numerous close losses, they must win several games in the ACC tournament to remain in contention for an NCAA spot.
• USC Trojans: Their loss to rival UCLA seals their fate, as they will now need to win the Big Ten tournament to have a chance at the NCAA tournament.

The landscape of the NCAA tournament is shifting as these teams vie for their position. With the conference tournaments on the horizon, Selection Sunday will reveal which programs’ efforts paid off and which faced a disappointing fate.