College basketball

ACC men's tournament

By BRIAN LANDMAN
Published March 10, 2005

WHEN/WHERE: Today-Sunday. MCI Center, Washington.

FAVORITES: North Carolina parlayed a seven-game winning streak into its first outright regular-season league title since 1993, also the last time the Tar Heels won the national title. For the past four games, they've been without top perimeter shooter Rashad McCants (intestinal illness), but he's recovering. The Demon Deacons have won 10 of 11 and beat UNC, in Winston-Salem, in the teams' lone matchup. But the team suspended star point guard Chris Paul for the tournament quarterfinal for hitting North Carolina State's Julius Hodge below the belt during Sunday's night game. No one should count out Duke, as long as they have J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams.

DARK HORSES: Georgia Tech probably has clinched an NCAA bid but could use some momentum; it hasn't won two in a row since star guard B.J. Elder returned from a left hamstring injury. Still, the Yellow Jackets are playing better and have the ability to win three games in three days. Maryland is the defending ACC Tournament champ but has lost three straight to put itself on the bubble. The Terrapins should have a strong homecourt edge, and they will need it. They open against Clemson, a team that swept them in the regular season.

[Last modified March 10, 2005, 01:15:14]