10 Best Moments in ACC Tournament History

THE BEST ACC TITLE GAME EVER?

Feb 23, 2013; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins former head coach Lefty Driesell and his wife Joyce Driesell respond to fans while being honored at halftime of the game against Clemson Tigers at Comcast Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Long-time ACC fans, when asked about the best ACC tournament game ever, always point back to the 1974 title game.  The game matched up NC State, who was led by David Thompson, Tommy Burelson and Monte Towe, with Maryland, who was led by John Lucas, Len Elmore and Tom McMillen.

Maryland came in ranked #3 and the Wolfpack was ranked #1 in the nation.  Both were looking to do big things in the NCAA Tournament, right?  No.  Remember, at this time, ONLY the ACC Tournament champion received a bid to the NCAA Tournament.  Sounds crazy now, but that’s how intense the ACC Tournament was back then.

Just to get to the title game, Maryland’s coach Lefty Driesell had made sure his starters played all 40 minutes in their route of UNC in order to leave nothing to chance.  However, in the title game, Thompson, who some believe is one of the Top 3 college players of all time, was too much for the Terrapins and the Wolfpack won a thriller in overtime, 103-100.

They would go on to defeat #2-ranked UCLA in the Final Four and then beat Marquette for the ACC’s first national title since 1957.