10 Best Moments in ACC Tournament History

JIMMY V’S LAST MIRACLE

Apr 12, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers head coach Vinny Del Negro yells during the second half against the New Orleans Hornets at the New Orleans Arena. Los Angeles defeated New Orleans 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

In 1987, Dean Smith’s #2-ranked Tar Heels came into the ACC Tournament as the #1 seed after running the table in the ACC regular season.  UNC had not won the ACC Tournament since 1982 when a freshman named Michael hit the game-winning shot in the National Title game.  They came into Landover, MD ready to reclaim the title with a team that included future NBA players JR Reid, Kenny Smith, Scott Williams, and Joe Wolf.  One team had other ideas about who would win.

North Carolina State, led by coach Jim Valvano, had not lived up to preseason expectations.  They limped into the tournament with a conference record of 6-8 and an overall record of 17-14.  The only way to make the NCAA Tournament would be to win the ACC Tournament.

The Wolfpack upset UNC 68-67 behind the clutch free throw shooting of Vinnie Del Negro.  As the 6th seed, Jimmy V’s team were the lowest seed to win the tournament.  It would prove to be his last ACC Title and subsequently, the Wolfpack’s last ACC title.