2026 ACC Tournament: Scores, Schedule, Brackets & NCAA Bubble Watch

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The 2026 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament is heating up at the Spectrum Center, with Wednesday’s second-round matchups delivering a mix of expected results and early upsets. As the tournament progresses, the path to Saturday’s championship game is becoming clearer, though several teams are still battling for both conference glory and improved NCAA Tournament seeding.

The day began with No. 7 seed NC State overcoming a determined effort from No. 15 seed Pitt, securing a 98-88 victory. The Wolfpack, looking to halt a recent slide, relied on a strong offensive performance to advance. Later, No. 6 seed Louisville demonstrated its own offensive firepower, defeating No. 11 seed SMU 62-58. However, the Cardinals will have to navigate the remainder of the tournament without freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr., who is currently sidelined with a back injury and is focused on regaining his health for a potential NCAA Tournament run.

The evening session saw No. 8 seed Florida State continue its strong play, dispatching No. 9 seed California 95-89. The Seminoles’ win sets up a quarterfinal clash against the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils. The final game of the evening, between No. 5 seed Clemson and No. 13 seed Wake Forest, is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, promising a competitive finish to Wednesday’s action.

Tuesday’s opening round provided a significant upset as No. 15 seed Pitt stunned No. 10 seed Stanford 64-63. A last-second set-back by Damarco Minor sealed the victory for the Panthers, potentially derailing Stanford’s at-large aspirations for an NCAA Tournament berth. No. 11 seed SMU also secured a crucial win, defeating No. 14 seed Syracuse 86-69, bolstering their own NCAA Tournament hopes after a four-game losing streak. The night concluded with a thrilling overtime contest between No. 12 seed Virginia Tech and No. 13 seed Wake Forest, with the Demon Deacons emerging victorious 95-89.

Tournament Schedule and Key Matchups

Thursday’s quarterfinal round promises a compelling slate of games. The action will kick off at noon ET with a matchup between No. 2 seed Virginia and No. 7 seed NC State, broadcast on ESPN2. Following that, No. 3 seed Miami will face No. 6 seed Louisville at 2:30 p.m. ET, also on ESPN2. The evening session will feature a highly anticipated contest between No. 1 seed Duke and No. 8 seed Florida State at 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. The final quarterfinal game will pit No. 4 seed North Carolina against the winner of Wednesday’s Clemson-Wake Forest matchup, scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Friday’s semifinal games will see the winners of the quarterfinal contests battle for a spot in the championship game. Game 12, featuring the winner of the Virginia-NC State game against the winner of the Miami-Louisville game, is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN2. Game 13, showcasing the winner of the Duke-Florida State game against the winner of the North Carolina-Clemson/Wake Forest game, will follow at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN2.

The 2026 ACC Tournament will culminate on Saturday, March 14, with the championship game scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The winner will claim the conference crown and secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Looking Ahead: NCAA Tournament Implications

Beyond the conference championship, several teams are using the ACC Tournament to improve their NCAA Tournament positioning. Louisville, despite the absence of Mikel Brown Jr., is aiming to make a strong run and solidify its place in the field. SMU, after their first-round win, will be looking to continue their momentum and secure an at-large bid. Similarly, Florida State and Clemson are hoping to impress the selection committee with strong performances in Charlotte.

Duke, as the top seed, is the clear favorite, but their path to the championship won’t be easy. A potential matchup against a hot Florida State team in the quarterfinals could present a significant challenge. North Carolina, meanwhile, will be looking to make a statement and prove they are a legitimate contender for a deep NCAA Tournament run.

The ACC Tournament has already delivered its share of excitement, and with the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship game still to come, fans can expect more thrilling action and dramatic moments as teams battle for conference supremacy and a coveted spot in the NCAA Tournament.

2026 ACC Tournament Scores

First Round – Tuesday, March 10

Game 1: No. 15 Pitt 64, No. 10 Stanford 63
Game 2: No. 11 SMU 86, No. 14 Syracuse 69
Game 3: No. 13 Wake Forest 95, No. 12 Virginia Tech 89 (OT)

Second Round – Wednesday, March 11

Game 4: No. 7 NC State 98, No. 15 Pitt 88
Game 5: No. 6 Louisville 62, No. 11 SMU 58
Game 6: No. 8 Florida State 95, No. 9 California 89
Game 7: No. 5 Clemson vs. No. 13 Wake Forest