A brief explanation: we use the expressions “ups” and “mids” and “downs” to describe the three finals at the ACC Championships. “Ups” are A-finalists, “Mids” are B-finalists, and “Downs” are C-finalists. In the ACC, all three of those score, by the following scoring chart for individual events (double for relays):
- 32
- 28
- 27
- 26
- 25
- 24
- 23
- 22
- 20
- 17
- 16
- 15
- 14
- 13
- 12
- 11
- 9
- 7
- 6
- 5
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 1
Through two days of competition, and with all diving points added in, here’s where our math has the standings right now.
1. Virginia Tech 898
2. NC State 820
3. FSU 717
4. UNC 692
5. Virginia 668
6. Notre Dame 665
7. Duke 382
8. Georgia Tech 364
9. Pitt 295
10. Boston College 167
11. Miami (FL) 156
Looking at tonight’s up/down chart, it’s clear that NC State will push hard early. They will get very close to Virginia Tech after the 100 free. Looking just at that chart, it might be fair to say that NC State would take the lead after the 100 free.
But there’s one more piece to this puzzle: the 1650 free. In that 1650 free, Virginia Tech is seeded to score 51, and North Carolina State is seeded to score just 4 points. Of course, NC State has made seedings look absolutely silly all week long, but it’s unlikely that they’ll do enough to actually outscore the Hokies in that event.
With that in mind, NC State has 7 A-finalists to just 5 for NC State, but NC State has that 78 point cushion along with an extra B-finalist and C-finalist.
Right now, it looks like Virginia Tech will have just enough to hold on for this title. The outcome will be close enough, however, that placement within each A, B, and C final could have an impact, so pay special attention to each-and-every individual placement in the finals, from A-to-C. Call it “Virginia Tech has the poll position, and it’s up to NC State to chase them down.” If it comes down to the relay, NC State has a huge edge.
As for 3rd place, Florida State will have a small lead and have to fend off a big charge from Virginia and North Carolina to hold onto that position. It looks like Notre Dame wouldn’t have enough to catch them, though, so barring a DQ, that’s your grouping from 3-5.
| 200 backstroke | 100 free | 200 breast | 200 fly | Total | |
| VT | 2 up/1 mid | 1 up/2 mid | 1 up/2 mid/1 down | 1 up/2 mid/ 1 down | 5 up/7 mid/2 down |
| NC State | 2 up | 3 up/5 mid/1 down | 1 up | 1 up/1 mid | 7 up/6 mid/1 down |
| FSU | 2 mid | 2 up/1 mid | 1 up/1 mid/2 down | 1 up/1 down | 4 up/4 mid/3 down |
| UNC | 3 up | 1 down | 1 up/3 mid | 2 up/2 down | 6 up/3 mid/3 down |
| UVA | 2 up/3 mid | 2 down | 2 up | 2 up | 6 up/3 mid/2 down |
| ND | 1 mid/3 down | 1 up | 1 up/1 mid/2 down | 1 up/1 down | 3 up/2 mid/6 down |
| Duke | 1 down | 1 down | 1 up/1 down | 1 mid/1 down | 1 up/1 mid/3 down |
| GT | 2 down | 1 up | 2 down | 3 mid | 1 up/3 mid/4 down |
| Pitt | 1 down | 3 down | 1 mid | 1 mid/2 down | 0 up/2 mid/6 down |
| BC | 1 down | – | – | – | 0 up/0 mid/1 down |
| Miami | – | – | – | – | – |
1650 seed-projection scoring
Virginia Tech – 51
NC State – 4
Florida State – 39
UNC – 63
Virginia – 85
Notre Dame – 45
Duke – 0
Georgia Tech – 53
Pitt – 12
BC – 0
Miami – 0