Virginia Tech Stuns UNC In ACC Tournament Upset
Virginia Tech Stuns UNC In ACC Tournament Upset...
Virginia Tech pulled off a dramatic 78-72 upset over No. 4 North Carolina in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Monday night, ending the Tar Heels' conference title hopes. The Hokies' victory sent shockwaves through college basketball and sparked celebrations in Blacksburg as UNC's postseason path grew more complicated.
The game, played at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., saw Virginia Tech guard Sean Pedulla score 24 points while containing UNC star RJ Davis. The Tar Heels (24-7), who entered as 7.5-point favorites, struggled from three-point range, shooting just 28% beyond the arc.
This matchup is trending nationally because it significantly impacts both teams' NCAA Tournament seeding. UNC was projected as a potential No. 1 seed before the loss, while Virginia Tech (19-13) likely secured an at-large bid with the statement win. Social media erupted with reactions, particularly about UNC coach Hubert Davis's timeout management in the final minutes.
The Hokies will face Duke in Friday's semifinal, while UNC awaits Selection Sunday on March 12. ESPN's Joe Lunardi now projects the Tar Heels as a No. 2 seed in his latest bracketology update. Virginia Tech fans flooded the court at Cassell Coliseum during a watch party, marking the program's first ACC Tournament win over UNC since 2019.
Monday's result continues a chaotic conference tournament season that has seen multiple top seeds fall early. Analysts note the upset reinforces the ACC's depth, with five teams likely making the NCAA Tournament. Virginia Tech's win also keeps alive their hopes for a fourth straight tournament appearance under coach Mike Young.
Ticket resale prices for Friday's semifinal jumped 40% within an hour of the game ending, according to SeatGeek data. The matchup trends alongside other major upsets this week, including Kentucky's loss to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament. Sportsbooks reported heavy betting on Virginia Tech as underdogs, with FanDuel noting 72% of moneyline bets backed the Hokies.
UNC players declined postgame interviews, while Virginia Tech's locker room celebration went viral on team social media accounts. The Tar Heels now face nine days off before learning their NCAA Tournament destination, while the Hokies prepare for another ranked opponent in Duke.
