Two ACC Teams Upset on Day One of NCAA Tournament, Leaving Half of the ACC Squads Gone
The first day of the NCAA Tournament is always filled with surprises, but the upsets that took place in 2025 shocked both fans and analysts alike, as two teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) were knocked out of contention. This left half of the ACC’s teams in the Big Dance already eliminated, signaling a rough start for a conference that has long been a powerhouse in college basketball.
The first upset came early in the day when the 9th-seeded North Carolina State Wolfpack were defeated by the 8th-seeded Arizona State Sun Devils in a thrilling back-and-forth game. Despite North Carolina State’s solid season and a strong finish to the year, they struggled to contain Arizona State’s high-powered offense. The Wolfpack, who had entered the tournament with high expectations, just couldn’t keep pace, falling 75-72 in a game that saw multiple lead changes in the final minutes. Arizona State’s balanced attack, led by standout guard Jalen Tyson, was too much for NC State to handle as they advanced to the next round.
The second blow to the ACC came in the evening, when Virginia Tech, a team that had been riding a wave of momentum after a strong conference tournament, was ousted by a 10th-seeded Florida Atlantic squad. The Hokies, known for their disciplined defense and efficient offense, were never able to find their rhythm against the Owls, who capitalized on Virginia Tech’s turnovers and missed opportunities. Florida Atlantic’s forward, Alijah Martin, put on an offensive clinic, scoring 22 points while leading his team to a dominant 68-60 win. The Hokies had entered the tournament with hopes of making a deep run, but their inability to control the pace of the game ultimately led to their downfall.
With both NC State and Virginia Tech out of the tournament on day one, the ACC now finds itself in a precarious position. The conference, which started the tournament with a total of eight teams, now has only four remaining in the field. In a season where the ACC had been widely regarded as one of the more competitive conferences, the early exits have raised questions about the overall strength of the league this year.
The ACC has long been a staple in NCAA Tournament success, producing numerous Final Four appearances and national champions over the years. Teams like Duke, North Carolina, and Louisville have consistently made deep runs, and the conference has historically been seen as a major player in March Madness. However, with two early upsets in the first round and only half of its original teams still standing, the ACC’s 2025 tournament run appears uncertain.
For the remaining teams from the ACC, the pressure is now on to represent the conference and keep the hope of a deep run alive. With teams like Duke, Miami, Clemson, and Pittsburgh still in the mix, the ACC will need to rally behind its top performers and recover from this early disappointment. But with the tournament full of strong and hungry teams, each of them will need to step up to avoid further elimination for the storied conference.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if the ACC can recover from its rocky start or if this marks the beginning of a downturn for the conference in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
