THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 8, 1996 TAG: 9603080719
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
Each year, coaches like to say that any team can win the ACC tournament. And technically, of course, they're right. It's sort of like saying anyone can grow up to be president - a nice egalitarian notion, anyway.
This year, however, those coaches could be on to something. The first round of the tournament will be played today, and the gap between the ACC's rich and poor has never been narrower..
Call it the no-fear tournament, Maryland coach Gary Williams says.
``Most years, there might be two or three teams that everybody fears,'' Williams said. ``I don't see that fear factor. Every team in the league has gone through hot and cold periods.
``It's going to be interesting, with the ability of every team in the league to play well.''
And play poorly. Second-seeded Wake Forest was embarrassed by seventh-seeded Virginia two weeks ago. They meet in a first-round game today. Third-seeded North Carolina was beaten at home by Florida State. Lowly N.C. State threw a fright into almost every team it played.
``I've never seen this much parity from No. 9 to No. 1,'' Georgia Tech coach Bobby Cremins said.
That parity, and the fact that the importance of the tournament is inversely related to a team's finish in the standings, could make for an interesting three days, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said.
``You have people running different races at this time of year,'' Krzyzewski said. ``You don't know how the teams above approach it. Are they bent on winning this or are they (focused on) the NCAA tournament? Then you have teams fighting to get into the tournament.''
Like any good race, this one requires a handicapper. So here's a look at the field:
THE LONGSHOTS
N.C. State: The Wolfpack has proved it can play with any team in the conference. As coach Les Robinson said: ``I doubt if anyone wants to play us.''
But the Wolfpack has also yet to prove it can win close games.
Prediction: First-round exit.
Virginia: The Cavaliers will need something they haven't received all year - inside scoring - to make a run. They could force first-round opponent Wake into an ugly opening game, but don't expect the Cavaliers to beat the Demon Deacons twice in two weeks.
Prediction: First-round exit.
THE CONTENDERS
Duke: With a healthy Chris Collins, the Blue Devils might have reached the championship game. The Blue Devils always do a good job of turning adversity into motivation, but if Collins can't go, Duke has virtually no backcourt reserves. Lack of depth could catch up to them vs. Maryland.
Prediction: First-round exit.
Maryland: The Terps have won 10 of 15 and have four seniors, which should be worth something. Maryland has also developed decent depth and needs at least one win to lock up an NCAA bid.
Prediction: Terps advance to semifinal round.
Clemson: Rick Barnes has done a wonderful job of holding together a young Clemson team that is probably a year away from doing much damage in the tournament.
``This is going to be a great experience,'' Barnes said. ``It's something they've got to build on.''
Prediction: First-round exit.
THE FAVORITES
North Carolina: The Tar Heels could easily win if they return to early season form. But this team has lost five of its last eight. Carolina has been beaten badly only twice, however, at Villanova and at Wake Forest. A key is the play of point guard Jeff McInnis, who has been erratic and ill-tempered of late, picking up technical fouls in each of the last two games.
Prediction: Tar Heels advance to the semifinal round.
Georgia Tech: The regular-season champions may have the conference's best backcourt in Stephon Marbury and Drew Barry, and the ACC's best all-around player in forward Matt Harpring.
Snubbed by the NCAAs the last two years, the Yellow Jackets will get a berth no matter their performance in the ACC tournament.
``It's a very secure feeling,'' Cremins said.
Prediction: Maybe a little too secure. Yellow Jackets lose in the final.
Wake Forest: The Deamon Deacons have been inconsistent lately, losing to Virginia and pounding North Carolina, then squeezing by N.C. State in overtime.
But with Tim Duncan in the middle, Wake Forest led the conference in field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense. And the Deacons are the best 3-point shooting team in the conference. If Wake's guards can avoid their tendency toward turnovers, and if forwards Ricky Peral and Sean Allen pull their weight on the boards, Wake will cut down the nets for the second straight year.
Prediction: Demon Deacons win the title. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Maryland's Gary Williams says the ``fear factor'' doesn't exist for
lower-seeded teams this year.
by CNB