Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Breaking Down the ACC Race

By Bryson Gordon

Mar 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams celebrates by cutting down the net after the Tar Heels' game against the Virginia Cavaliers in the championship game of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. The Tar Heels won 61-57. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams celebrates by cutting down the net after the Tar Heels' game against the Virginia Cavaliers in the championship game of the ACC conference tournament at Verizon Center. The Tar Heels won 61-57. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward VJ Beachem (3) reacts during the second half of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward VJ Beachem (3) reacts during the second half of the game against the Florida State Seminoles at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame (6-2 ACC)

Notre Dame has been a pleasant surprise in ACC play this year. After losing a couple of stars in Pat Connaugton, and Zach Auguste, the Irish seem to be just fine.

This year, the Irish are led by a trio of great players, Matt Farrell, VJ Beachem, and Bonzie Colson. This Notre Dame team already has a win over Louisville, but their two losses are to Virginia, and FSU.

That does not help the Irish out if it comes down to a tie breaker situation. They already have those two losses to top contenders in the conference. If the Irish are going to win the conference, they will need help from others around them.

It is truly incredible how well Coach Mike Brey has done in the last few years. Brey is in his 17th season at the helm in South Bend, and is really now beginning to build an ACC contender. He has finished in the top five of the conference in two straight years, and looks primed to do it again.

Notre Dame will continue to rely on the rebounding prowess of Bonzie Colson, who is averaging 10 per game. On offense, they will go to both Colson, and Beachem, both of which are averaging 14+ points per game.

Based off their early losses, I will give Notre Dame at 15% chance to win the conference. 

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