Sunday, March 14, 2021

The ACC Default Tournament

Did you enjoy watching Georgia Tech defeat Florida State 90-75 in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament championship Saturday night?

That's what I thought.

No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get into the tournament this year. Sure, it was good to have games on television, but my passion for what I was watching just wasn't there.

Thank you, pandemic.

But why can't I just enjoy the game?

First off, the tournament was robbed of its integrity when both Duke and top-seeded Virginia had to withdraw in mid-tournament because of positive Covid results. That means there probably should be an asterisk behind the champion's name.

Not that Duke was going to be a spoiler. The 10th-seeded Blue Devils were an uncharacteristic 13-11 when Covid struck, ending their season (sort of). Consequently, No. 2 Florida State jumped right into the semifinal game against North Carolina. The Seminoles defeated the Tar Heels 69-66 to advance to the finals, presumably against the winner of Georgia Tech and Virginia.

Then Virginia came up with a positive test, knocking them out of the tourney and advancing Georgia Tech to the finals by default.

Who wanted to see that?

It marked only the second time a team from the state of North Carolina was not in the championship game. The last time that happened was 1990, when Georgia Tech defeated Virginia 70-61. That's the only other time that has ever happened since the tourney began in 1954.

Secondly, the tournament was played in Greensboro with just a handful of fans, which made for bad television for viewers and probably a less-than-inspiring environment for the players, who no doubt draw energy from a cheering fan base. I think playing in mostly empty arenas this year has significantly altered incentive and excitement for nearly every team this year.

Here's where it gets even goofier.

As of this morning, unless something has changed, Duke could be eligible for the NCAA Tournament with either an at-large bid or as a Covid replacement team, in case somebody else has to drop out – say Appalachian State or UNC Greensboro – because of a positive test.

So let me get this straight. A team with Covid is eligible to replace a team with Covid. Hmm.

I suppose that's possible if Duke goes seven consecutive days without a positive test. The same is true for Virginia. But if Duke does not get a bid, it snaps a 24-year streak of NCAA Tournament appearances. If Duke does get in, then you have to wonder about integrity again.

Covid is still with us. Kansas had to drop out of its tournament. So why are we so intent in creating a super spreader event? (I know why. Money. Television. Covid fatigue).

It appears the NCAA Tournament will go on. But I suggest that you don't play in any tournament pools this year. The field could change in a moment's notice. The sure bet is that there are no sure bets this year.


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