The stage is set for the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Regarded as one of the premier collegiate athletic conferences, Atlantic Coast Conference teams have enjoyed a lot of success over the years, winning 15 March Madness titles.
But how have the ACC teams fared in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament, and which teams are still in the hunt as we get ready for the Sweet 16?
Which ACC Teams Are Still Alive in the 2026 NCAA Tournament?
A total of eight bids were awarded to ACC teams for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Two ACC teams entered March Madness at the First Four stage, but both NC State and SMU failed to make the first round. This is how the six ACC teams were placed in the bracket:
- Duke and Louisville – East Regional
- Miami (FL) – West Regional
- North Carolina and Clemson – South Regional
- Virginia – Midwest Regional
Going into the Sweet 16, five of the six teams from the ACC have been eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament. In the East Regional, the Louisville Cardinals fell to the Michigan State Spartans in the second round.
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The North Carolina Tar Heels were upset in the first round of the South Regional by the No. 11-seeded VCU Rams. The Clemson Tigers also fell at the first hurdle, losing to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Sweet 16 breakdown by conference
Big Ten: 6
SEC: 4
Big 12: 3
Big East: 2
ACC: 1— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) March 23, 2026
The Miami Hurricanes lost to the Purdue Boilermakers in the second round of the West Regional. In the Midwest Regional, the Virginia Cavaliers were upset by the sixth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers in the second round.
Duke Blue Devils: The Last ACC Team in the 2026 Sweet 16
Only one team from the Atlantic Coast Conference remains in the hunt for the NCAA Tournament title. The Duke Blue Devils have enjoyed a strong March Madness run so far, defeating the Siena Saints in the first round before cruising past the TCU Horned Frogs.
Next up for Duke is a regional semifinal against the St. John’s Red Storm. Having beaten the Kansas Jayhawks in the last round, St. John’s could provide a tough test on Friday (tip-off at 7:10 p.m. ET).
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The No. 1-seeded Duke will be hoping that Cameron Boozer can lead from the front once again. The freshman forward scored 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting in the last round.
The Virginia Cavaliers were the last ACC team to win the NCAA Tournament (in 2019). Duke’s last win came back in 2015. The Blue Devils will be determined to add a sixth national title to their trophy cabinet this year.
