Updated ACC Tournament Bracket After First Day

Virginia Cavaliers face winner of Pittsburgh and NC State in second round

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The first day of the ACC Tournament is complete, with several key results shaping the bracket. Pittsburgh pulled off a big upset over Stanford, likely knocking the Cardinal out of NCAA Tournament contention. Virginia Tech also saw its tournament hopes end with a loss to Wake Forest. The Cavaliers will now face the winner of Pittsburgh and NC State in the second round, a matchup Virginia has already won twice this season.

Why it matters

The updated ACC Tournament bracket has major implications for the NCAA Tournament, with several bubble teams' fates now hanging in the balance. Virginia's path to the conference championship also becomes clearer, as the Cavaliers avoid a potential matchup with a surging Stanford team.

The details

In the first round, Pittsburgh beat Stanford 64-63, likely ending the Cardinal's NCAA Tournament hopes. Virginia Tech also lost to Wake Forest 95-89. The Cavaliers will now face the winner of Pittsburgh and NC State, two teams UVA has already defeated this season. Duke remains the tournament favorite, but has suffered injuries to key players Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba.

  • The first round of the ACC Tournament was played on March 11, 2026.
  • The second round matchups will take place on March 12, 2026.

The players

Ryan Odom

The head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers men's basketball team.

Cameron Boozer

The ACC Player of the Year and a star player for the Duke Blue Devils.

Caleb Foster

A key player for the Duke Blue Devils who has suffered an injury.

Patrick Ngongba

Another key player for the Duke Blue Devils who has suffered an injury.

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What they’re saying

“The path to a tournament championship continues to shape up for Virginia. Duke has suffered injuries to two of its best players, Caleb Foster and Patrick Ngongba, and that makes them a more vulnerable team.”

— JACKSON CAUDELL (SI.com)

What’s next

The second round of the ACC Tournament will take place on March 12, 2026, with Virginia facing the winner of Pittsburgh and NC State.

The takeaway

The updated ACC Tournament bracket has significant implications for NCAA Tournament hopefuls, with several bubble teams' fates now hanging in the balance. Virginia's path to the conference championship has become clearer, as the Cavaliers avoid a potential matchup with a surging Stanford team.