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Does Duke deserve the No. 1 seed over Virginia?

Mar 13, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski reacts to a call during game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; Greensboro, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski reacts to a call during game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half during the semifinals of the ACC Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish won 74-64. Mandatory Credit: Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports

After Duke received the number one seed in the NCAA tournament, Virginia fans are questioning whether or not they got snubbed?


The Duke Blue Devils got kicked out of the ACC men’s conference tournament by underdog Notre Dame this past weekend. The Blue Devil’s have lost just four games this season, two of which were to Notre Dame, so the NCAA tournament committee gave them the nod to represent the ACC as a #1 seed.

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At first glance, it does make a little sense that Duke should get a number one seed. They’ve beaten seven top 25 ranked teams, one of which being No. 2 overall Wisconsin. Quite an impressive resume when you consider what Wisconsin did in the big ten tournament.

But what about Virginia? They did win the ACC in the regular season but lost in the semi-finals of the conference tournament to North Carolina — the same round Duke lost to Notre Dame.

One of Virginia’s three losses did come to Duke earlier this year making their final record at 29-3. But all of their three losses came to ranked teams. In addition to that, the Cavaliers have been phenomenal in the ACC this year going 16-2 in conference play.

Duke has lost to two unranked teams this year (NC State and Miami) ending with a 29-4 overall record. These two losses are pretty big stains on Duke’s resume this year. But I guess this didn’t carry enough weight, as Duke ultimately beat Virginia out for the No. 1 seed.

Once the tournament begins, Virginia players and their fans will forget all about their seed and just focus on the opponent they are competing against in that moment.

This means a couple of things for both teams. First of all, Duke basically has a walk in the park in the second round, as they play the winner of Robert Morris and North Florida game. Most importantly for Duke, they won’t have to play Villanova until the final four, a team that Virginia will meet in the elite 8 if they make it that far. Villanova has been a spectacle to watch all year, ending the year by winning the Big East conference tournament. So they will be a handful for any opponent.

Also, Virginia got paired up against Belmont, who is coming into the tournament with a ton of momentum. They just upset No. 25 Murray State in the OVC conference tournament. Not necessarily the easiest second round match up. Additionally, if they end up beating Belmont, Virginia will have to take on the winner of the Iowa vs. Davidson game. Again, not the easiest road to the final four.

Some Virginia fans may think that Virginia got snubbed out of that No. 1 seed as the Blue Devils snagged their 13th No. 1 seed in tournament history and have a slightly easier road ahead than Virginia. Nonetheless, if there is one thing we know about March Madness it is that crazy things can happen. Your seed is rarely indicative of how well you will do. Once the tournament begins, Virginia players and their fans will forget all about their seed and just focus on the opponent they are competing against in that moment.

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