I don't think anyone really thought they wouldn't. Is was ASSU that was up in the air.
Honestly, I'm a bit surprised that ASSU has to play in the play-in game instead of USC. USC did beat UCLA, but ASSU beat Arizona. Not sure how the other games played out.
Then again, USC is still probably better so I guess it makes sense. It's actually a good sign that the committee apparently didn't put a lot of weight into the conference tournaments, nationwide.
The ACC was formed in the early 50s and has had a post-season tournament from the start. Until the NCAA tournament expansion in the late 70s, they were only one, so your memory is mostly correct.
I don't think anyone really thought they wouldn't. Is was ASSU that was up in the air.
Honestly, I'm a bit surprised that ASSU has to play in the play-in game instead of USC. USC did beat UCLA, but ASSU beat Arizona. Not sure how the other games played out.
Then again, USC is still probably better so I guess it makes sense. It's actually a good sign that the committee apparently didn't put a lot of weight into the conference tournaments, nationwide.