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5 Key Storylines To Watch In The ACC Tournament

By Josh Cornelissen

Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) with the ball as Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) defends in the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates with forward Mangok Mathiang (12) during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates with forward Mangok Mathiang (12) during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Can Louisville Win A National Title?

The Louisville Cardinals have hovered just behind North Carolina all season as the second-best team in the ACC.

While a couple of late losses dropped them to fourth in the conference standings, they are the team with the best chance — after the Tar Heels — of cutting down the nets in Glendale, Ariz.

The Cardinals are defined, as always, by their smothering defense. Head coach Rick Pitino has his team attacking opposing teams up and down the court, and boasts the second-best opponent field goal percentage (39.5 percent) in the conference.

The key player for Louisville is Donovan Mitchell, named to the All-ACC team this season after leading the Cardinals in scoring at 15.9 points per game. His two-way impact is one of the best in the nation, and his growth as a player could continue over the next few weeks.

The Cardinals are on hold until Friday, when they will face the winner of the Clemson-Duke game. If they string together a few wins, they solidify their shot at a favorable 2-seed on Sunday. If they take home a tournament title, the chance at a one-seed is present.