Who's Hot and Who's Not

If there is one team that has played consistently like ACC champions over the past three weeks, it's Maryland. The Terrapins have won seven in a row, including four against the Big Four. Maryland has shot 50% or higher during most of the games in that span, the product of excellent penetration by Grevis Vasquez and his backcourt mates; the Terps have also done a better job using their defense to create transition baskets.

But Maryland has a terrible history in the ACC Tournament. The Terps have won the event just three times. They have have lost in the finals six times, and suffered early round knockouts in the other 44 years. It doesn't seem to matter where the event is held. Based on history, it's hard to make Maryland a favorite.

How about Georgia Tech? The Yellowjackets put together the second strongest finish, winning seven of their last nine. Javaris Crittenten seems to have taken hold of Tech's offense. Thaddeus Young and Ra'Sean Dickey have also stepped it up of late. As has Anthony Morrow. Tech relies more on perimeter shooting than Maryland, but brings more physicality to its rebounding and defense.

And Georgia Tech has a decent tournament history. Though relatively new to the conference, Tech won titles in 1985, 1990, and 1993, reaching the championship round three other times. That's six trips to the finals in 26 years. Tech could be due again.

Duke dropped its last two conference games and must try to defeat rival NC State without suspended freshman Gerald Henderson. This Blue Devil team does not have the depth or experience of its predecessors, but it does have the same coaching staff that has won seven ACC titles in eight years. In this event in which history is so important, it's difficult to ignore Duke's recent past.

On the other hand, Duke faces the same challenge that confronts Maryland and Georgia Tech; having to win four games in four days to become champion.

There is no question the top four seeds have an easier road. But have any of the four inspired prognosticater confidence with recent play?

Boston College positively limped home, dropping four of its last five conference games.

Virginia couldn't beat 12th place Miami or 11th place Wake Forest, and missed a chance to claim the ACC's regular season title.

Virginia Tech lost to NC State, Virginia, and Clemson over its last five games.

North Carolina also faded, dropping three of its last six. However the Tar Heels lost two of those games on the road against the league's hottest teams-Maryland and Georgia Tech. Carolina did lose at home to Virginiai Tech. However, It's a little hard to imagine the Heels losing to Tech again.

Although Carolina has a strong ACC Tournament history, none of it is recent history. The Tar Heels haven't won this event since 1998. They haven't even played in a championship game since 2001. Those marks could foretell a continuing pattern. Or they could make for a motivated Tar Heel team.

Given Carolina's depth and #1 seed (Florida State, Clemson, Maryland, and BC are in UNC's bracket. Duke, Virginia, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech are not), this could be the year it all comes together in the conference tournament for Roy Williams' Heels.