Duke, UNC continue to bedevil ACC field

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - It’s a simple rule for any college basketball team regarding the NCAA Tournament: Win your conference tournament and you’re in the big dance.

But in the Atlantic Coast Conference, that is easier said than done.

Since 1997, only one team other than North Carolina or Duke has won the conference’s postseason showdown. When point guard John Gilchrist led Maryland to an improbable victory over Duke in the final in 2004, it sent shock waves through the college basketball landscape.

Duke had claimed the previous five titles, and won the event in both years following its loss to the Terrapins. North Carolina, the defending champion, won the championship in 1997 and 1998.

So, when the tournament begins at Charlotte Bobcats Arena in North Carolina, on March 13, ACC coaches will be looking to crack the Tobacco Road code.

“I grew up in North Carolina, so I’m excited about being in the ACC and competing against the best teams in the country,” Miami coach Frank Haith said. “I think most coaches will tell you that if you’re a competitor, you look forward to that.”

Haith and his ACC brethren face long odds once again this year as North Carolina is the Associated Press’ top-ranked team with a 27-2 record. Duke is ranked sixth with a record of 25-3.

Coaches maintain, though, that neither team is unbeatable.

“It’s not that Duke or Carolina are blowing people out every night,” N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe said. “They’re good, tough ball games. If [North Carolina and Duke are] good, they’re good. You just come out and you play. They’re certainly beatable. You always have to look at it that way.”

Lowe’s Wolfpack has struggled with a 15-14 record this season, but led he the team to ACC Tournament and NCAA titles as a player in 1983, and he guided the 10th-seeded squad to last year’s final.

He said Duke and North Carolina serve as constant motivation, and even as a source of ACC pride.

“I think when they’re ranked nationally as high as they are right now and have always been, I think it’s great for the league,” Lowe said. “I think it says a lot about our conference when you can have two teams ranked in the top five. That’s real strong.”

mpalmer@baltimoreexaminer.com