The history of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament suggests that the teams with the most history, tend to make history repeat.
N.C. State, which dominated the early days of this event, has posted a 13-9 record under Herb Sendek, second only to Duke and Mike Krzyzewski.
State has made the semi-finals seven times in nine years, making the finals three of those years. At the same time, State has not won the ACC title since 1987.
North Carolina has the most titles: 15. But the Tar Heels haven't won an ACC Tournament since 1998. In fact, they haven't even come close. The only years in that span where Carolina has even made the finals - 1999 and 2001 -the Tar Heels were drubbed by Duke.
The Blue Devils, meanwhile, are enjoying a run of success unparalleled in conference history. N.C. State did win four of the first six ACC Tournaments played back in the 50s.
Duke has now won six of seven. Duke now has 14 tournament championships overall -- one short of the Tar Heels.
North Carolina, at present, is the league's hottest team. Duke, and especially N.C. State, are among the coldest. But this tournament has a way of creating its own momentum.
History does suggest that we will see at least one of the Big Four teams (and it won't be last place Wake Forest) in the championship game. Only one of the ACC's 52 tournament finals has been contested by two "out-of-state teams." Georgia Tech met Virginia for the championship in 1990.
Don't look for that this weekend.
-- Bob Holliday
