What to know for Thursday’s ACC Tournament basketball games in Charlotte
It’s time for the ACC’s best teams to finally appear at the league’s signature event.
The ACC Tournament reaches the quarterfinal round today, meaning the top four teams from the regular season will make their debuts after earning double-byes through the first two rounds.
The nation’s No. 1 team, ACC regular-season champion Duke (29-2) hits the court as do Virginia, Miami and North Carolina. ESPN2 has the two day games, starting at noon, while ESPN takes over at night when Duke and UNC have games beginning at 7 p.m.
Here are three things to know about the tournament’s third day:
- Duke has a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament firmly in hand but that doesn’t mean the Blue Devils don’t have questions. Two starters, center Pat Ngongba and guard Caleb Foster, won’t play in Charlotte this week due to foot injuries. Foster broke his foot and is out until the Final Four, at least. Ngongba is dealing with soreness and should return next week for the NCAA Tournament. In the meantime, who will man the Duke starting lineup against Florida State?
- Clemson made it through to the quarterfinals but one of its best players, 6-10 center Carter Welling suffered a right knee injury Wednesday night against Wake Forest. Welling started 24 games for the Tigers this season, averaging 10.2 points and 5.2 rebounds while making 49% of his shots. If he’s unable to play the rest of the postseason, how will Clemson adjust? We’ll get some answers tonight against North Carolina at 9:30 p.m.
- While some upsets occurred in Tuesday’s first round, like No. 15 seed Pitt and No. 13 seed Wake Forest advancing against better-seeded teams, that stopped in Wednesday’s second round. The better seeded teams all prevailed, meaning the tournament’s top eight seeds comprise the quarterfinal round. Seven of the eight are in the top 36 of the NET ratings and are in strong position to make the NCAA Tournament without winning the ACC championship. Only No. 8 seed Florida State (18-14 and No. 70 in the NET) must get the automatic berth to advance.
This story was originally published March 12, 2026 at 6:15 AM.
Steve Wiseman
The News & Observer