Tar Heels Avenge Bad Loss With Huge Victory

But in the back of the Tar Heels' minds, the sting from thathumiliating Feb. 22 defeat wouldn't go away.

They avenged it Friday, bouncing the 14th-ranked defendingnational champions out of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournamentwith an 84-72 victory.

"We were embarrassed the last time we played them," forwardDavid Noel said. "When you get beat by 40, you don't want to seeanybody on campus the next day.

"That was the low point of the season. This is the high point. It doesn't get any better."

Jawad Williams scored a career-high 25 points. Raymond Feltonhad 20 points and 10 assists, and Melvin Scott added a career-high19 points to lead the seventh-seeded Tar Heels (17-14).

North Carolina is rolling at the right time of the season and inthe right building. The Tar Heels improved to 31-10 at theGreensboro Coliseum, where they have won seven ACC Tournamenttitles and scored their 100th win.

"We believe in what we're doing now," said Rashad McCants, whohad 12 points and 11 rebounds. "We're a confident team, and itshows in our play."

North Carolina also upset its second-straight rival.

The Tar Heels beat then-No. 10 Duke five days ago in theregular-season finale. Now coach Matt Doherty thinks his team ismaking a case for the NCAA Tournament.

"We're playing our best basketball right now, and I think weshould get some consideration," Doherty said. "We should be atopic of conversation in their war room."

The loss was yet another ACC Tournament failure forsecond-seeded Maryland (19-9). The Terps have been to the tournament semifinals the past eight years buthaven't won a title since 1984.

"We didn't show enough emotion or passion to win thistournament," said Drew Nicholas, who scored 18 for Maryland."This is as good as it gets. When I walked on the floor, I wantedto play three games this weekend, and we didn't play well enough tomake that happen."

North Carolina, which trailed almost the entire first half, cameout swinging in the second half.

Playing without Jackie Manuel, their best defender who went outfour minutes into the game with a strained right arch, the TarHeels were able to stifle Drew Nicholas while opening up theiroffense.

Nicholas, who had 15 points at halftime on six-of-10 shooting,couldn't shake Scott in the second half.

He didn't score for almost 10 minutes while Maryland fell apartwith turnovers, sloppy passes and poor shooting.

Nicholas finished with just three points in the second half andfinished seven-of-14 from the floor.

North Carolina jumped all over Maryland's mistakes. Scott wassolid from long range, hitting three three-pointers in a furious 20-7run.

Trailing 48-43 before the run, Scott's fifth three-pointer put NorthCarolina up 63-55 with 8:09 to play.

Maryland coach Gary Williams, furious with the Terrapinsthroughout the entire game, called a timeout to chastise his squadonce again.

It didn't really help. Maryland's defense broke down right outof the timeout and Felton was left open to hit a three-pointer for a66-55 North Carolina lead.

The Terrapins were able to make it close after Tahj Holden'slayup. Steve Blake's three-pointer cut it to 68-61, but NorthCarolina wouldn't roll over.

Williams brought the sold-out crowd to its feet with a powerfulone-handed slam dunk off an alley-oop pass from Felton and Scottfollowed with a pair of free throws to push the lead to 72-61 with3:08 to play.

Blake finished with 12 points for Maryland and John Gilchristadded 10.

"I know we're down right now, but we'll be back next week, andwe'll see what we can do," Williams said.