Updated ACC Standings and Projected ACC Tournament Bracket Heading Into Final Week

Virginia remains in strong position for No. 2 seed despite loss to Duke

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

The Virginia Cavaliers suffered a 26-point loss to the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, but they still have a clear path to the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament if they can defeat Wake Forest and Virginia Tech this week. The updated ACC standings and projected tournament bracket heading into the final week of the regular season show Duke firmly in the top spot, with Virginia, Miami, and North Carolina rounding out the top four.

Why it matters

The ACC Tournament is a crucial event for determining which teams will advance to the NCAA Tournament. Virginia’s loss to Duke shakes up the top of the conference standings, but the Cavaliers remain in a strong position to secure a high seed and potential rematch with the Blue Devils in the tournament championship.

The details

Virginia came into Saturday’s game against Duke ranked No. 11 in the country and riding a nine-game winning streak. However, the Blue Devils jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 26-point victory over the Cavaliers. Despite the loss, Virginia still has a clear path to the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament if they can win their final two regular season games against Wake Forest and Virginia Tech.

  • Virginia suffered the loss to Duke on Saturday, March 1, 2026.
  • The Cavaliers’ final two regular season games are this week against Wake Forest and Virginia Tech.

The players

Duke Blue Devils

The No. 1 ranked team in the ACC with a 15-1 conference record and 27-2 overall.

Virginia Cavaliers

The No. 11 ranked team in the country and currently in second place in the ACC with a 13-3 conference record and 25-4 overall.

Ryan Odom

The first-year head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers.

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What’s next

If Virginia defeats Wake Forest and Virginia Tech this week, they will secure the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament.

The takeaway

Despite the lopsided loss to Duke, Virginia remains in a strong position to earn a high seed in the ACC Tournament and potentially face the Blue Devils again in the championship game. The Cavaliers’ path to the NCAA Tournament remains intact heading into the final week of the regular season.