As Demontez Stitt's three-point attempt fell just short on Wednesday night, the Hokies could breathe a little. Virginia Tech battled as it picked up a priceless victory, edging No. 13 Clemson, 80-77, on the road.
With the Hokies getting payback on the Tigers and ending a three-game losing streak, they enhanced their chances of making it into the NCAA Tournament.
The Hokies (17-10, 7-6 ACC) have three games left in the regular season, starting this Saturday against Duke. After Kyle Singler and the Blue Devils visit Blacksburg, Tech will host North Carolina and travel to Florida State for its final contest of the year.
Many wonder whether the win against Clemson solidified the team's ticket to the big dance.
As the search for an answer to whether Tech is worthy continues, there's no better man to ask than Joe Lunardi, the ESPN bracketologist. In an over-the-phone interview, Lunardi, who projected all 34 at-large bids correctly in last year's bracket, discussed what the Hokies needed to accomplish in order to be in the field on Selection Sunday.
Before the contest with Clemson, Lunardi posted on ESPN.com that the Hokies were in the last four teams to miss, teams 66 to 69, because they failed to beat Florida State on Feb. 21.
Looking ahead, Lunardi gave his prediction as to what head coach Seth Greenberg and his group must do to earn a bid. As Lunardi viewed Tech's remaining games, the analyst realized Tech's remaining schedule is one of the most difficult.
"Oh, man," Lunardi said of the Hokies' demanding final three.
Lundardi said he would include Tech if it were to win two of its final four games (at Clemson, vs. Duke, vs. UNC, at Florida state) before Wednesday's game. The Hokies have since toppled the Tigers and are looking to finish the season strong.
He projected Tech would go 1-3 in its final four games, which wouldn't put in, unless they made noise in the ACC tournament.
"That would still leave them with work to do in the conference tournament," Lunardi said, if Tech finished as he predicts. "I think they are just going to miss."
With the Clemson game out of the way, it appears that if Tech can win one of its remaining three, it will be in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since earning a No. 5 seed in 2007.
Lunardi said the Hokies need to play strong at Clemson and Florida State.
"Two road wins would be huge," Lunardi said as he considered the RPI. "That would be better in that the committee really puts an emphasis on away games. Numerically, a home wins counts as 0.6 wins and a road wins counts as 1.4."
Regardless, with a win against the Devils on Saturday, Tech may firm up their invitation to March Madness.
In most seasons, fans would probably view the Hokies as not having earned a berth in the top 65. However, since the mid-majors aren't excelling as they usually have, teams such as Tech, Michigan, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Miami, Cincinnati and Maryland still have legitimate chances of landing a spot.
When assessing the resume, one aspect that jumps out is Tech's close losses. Losing seven games by 15 total points might make Greenberg cringe, but it may not be too bad when the committee is deciding between a teams with otherwise similar resumes.
Lunardi discussed a possible scenario that may arise as the committee selects the field.
"Let's say it was the last spot between Tech and Cincinnati," Lunardi said. "Cinci (17-10, 7-7 Big East) doesn't have the one win like (Tech had over No. 1 Wake Forest). Against the better opponents of the league, they've lost big (85-69 vs. Pittsburgh, 71-50 vs. Villanova, 84-50 vs. Marquette). Tech's always right there. In that comparison, maybe it goes to Tech because of the close losses, but you have to have enough wins to get into the conversation before the close losses even make it into the discussion."
That is exactly what the Hokies must do: earn enough wins. Claiming victory in two of their last three regular season games might be enough.
One win in the final three may do it, and a win or two in the ACC tournament would almost make it certain.
But if it weren't for Jan. 21, the Hokies wouldn't be in consideration. Had Tech not shocked No. 1 Wake in Winston-Salem with a 78-71 win, Lunardi believes the Hokies wouldn't be in the conversation for an at-large bid at the moment.
"No, not a legitimate shot," he said.
Now in the home stretch, many teams are fighting to get their noses in front. Lunardi selected the teams he considers just out of contention in his recent update of his Bracketology page on ESPN.com. The teams on that list with the Hokies are St. Mary's, Michigan and Oklahoma State. The teams just ahead, which have earned a spot in his projected field, are Cincinnati, Notre Dame, Temple and UAB.
Lunardi said he envisions the ACC sending seven clubs to the NCAA Tournament.
With Carolina, Duke, Clemson, Florida State and Wake Forest considered locks and with Boston College seeming like a good bet, that makes six teams.
The last three still in contention are Maryland, Tech and Miami, even though the 'Canes are behind North Carolina State in the league standings. But because of some very solid wins and very close losses, Miami is still in contention.
"I think one of those three (Maryland, Tech and Miami) will make it," Lunardi said. "One of those teams is going to somehow win two games and make it to the semifinal of the (ACC) Tournament."