NCAA Tournament Hopes:

As we get closer to the end of the regular season, I wanted to take a look at the ACC teams and their chances at making the Big Dance.

North Carolina - (23-2, 9-2 ACC)
The Heels are of course a lock to make the tournament and should have a great chance at getting a #1 seed in the East or South. Carolina hosts N.C. State Wednesday.

Duke - (20-5, 7-4 ACC)
Duke has probably lost all chance of a #1 seed with their recent slide, but should have a good shot still at a 2 or at worst 3 seed. Duke has a tough stretch coming up, starting with a road game at St. Johns.

Clemson - (20-4, 6-4 ACC)
The Tigers are a lock to make the tournament. They have avoided the recent history of dropping way off when ACC play starts and should have a good seed. Clemson hosts Maryland Tuesday night.

Wake Forest - (19-4, 6-4 ACC)
Wake has dropped off a bit recently and probably won't get the #1 seed that many people were predicting last month. But they are still making the Big Dance. Wake hosts Georgia Tech Wednesday.

Florida State (19-6, 6-4 ACC)
The Noles have been the surprise team of the ACC and are in great shape to make the tournament with wins at Clemson and over Florida. But they aren't a lock just yet -- they have to avoid a late season slide. FSU plays Miami on Wednesday.

Virginia Tech (16-8, 6-4 ACC)
The Hokies I think are squarely on the bubble with a lot of tough games left. The program has hit a rough patch here in the last couple days and desperately need to win at Virginia to stay on the right side of the bubble. VT plays in Charlottesville Wednesday.

Boston College (19-8, 7-5 ACC)
BC made a great step toward making the tournament by beating Duke Sunday night. That along with a win in Chapel Hill should be enough to get in, but they do need to finish strong. The Eagles don't play again until a road date Saturday against Miami.

Maryland (16-8, 5-5 ACC)
I don't think Maryland is going to make the tournament, but they do have a shot with some very difficult games on the horizon. If they can win 2 out of the 3 games against Clemson, North Carolina and Duke they have a chance. Maryland plays at Clemson Tuesday night.

N.C. State (14-9, 4-6 ACC)
State has been playing a lot better of late but have a very slim chance of making the tournament. They can be spoilers though and should make it to the NIT. NC State plays at Carolina on Wednesday night.

Miami (15-9, 4-7 ACC)
Miami certainly looks like an NCAA caliber team when they play but they have lost a lot of close games and likely won't make it. It's actually amazing they have a worse ACC record than NC State and Maryland. Miami travels to play FSU on Wednesday.

Virginia (8-13, 2-8 ACC)
The Cavaliers had their biggest win of the year Sunday against Clemson, but they aren't going to any postseason play. They can play spoiler though by beating Virginia Tech. They play the Hokies Wednesday.

Georgia Tech (10-14, 1-10 ACC)
The biggest question facing the Yellow Jackets is whether Paul Hewitt will be around for another year. They shouldn't have only one win in the ACC at this point in the season. Georgia Tech plays at Wake Forest, the only team they've beaten, on Wednesday.

So right now I see 6 teams solidly in the tournament, with two others (VT and Miami) on the bubble.