They reached basketball’s promised land, the Final Four.
A few of them, anyway.
Eighteen in 69 seasons of the ACC’s existence. Better than once every four years. (Disregarding the COVID-neutered 2020 season.)
Every year a strong deputation of ACC teams gets invited to the NCAA tournament, where intimations of greatness seem ever more real with each victory. Last year five ACC teams were included in the postseason field. After Duke, NC State and Virginia were quickly eliminated only Miami and Pitt won twice.
For the Panthers it was a belated statement of belonging after six seasons wandering in the wilderness of defeat.