ACC preview

Thursday through Sunday, Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum

PLAYER TO WATCH

Marissa Coleman, Maryland

Teammate Kristi Toliver may garner more attention, but Coleman has been the ACC’s best player over the past month. The senior averaged 22.0 points during the Terrapins‘ nine-game winning streak to close out the regular season and posted career highs in scoring (32 against Boston College ) and rebounds (16 against Miami) last week.

BEST BET

North Carolina

The Tar Heels are the No. 4 seed this year, but they have won this tournament the past four years. They will have no shortage of supporters in Greensboro, which can only bode well considering their four conference losses came on the road. Until another team proves it can beat North Carolina in this tournament, Sylvia Hatchell’s bunch remains the favorite.

DARK HORSE

Florida State

The surprising Seminoles sat atop the standings for the majority of the past two months. With wins over Duke and North Carolina and a one-point loss to Maryland, Florida State proved it can play with the ACC’s elite. But those strong showings all came at home, and the Seminoles have a chance to prove they can win away from Tallahassee.

MOST TO GAIN

Wake Forest

Two weeks ago, the Demon Deacons were 5-5 in the ACC and seemed destined for an NCAA tournament berth. But after dropping its last four conference games, Wake Forest is sitting on the bubble. With top-seeded Maryland waiting in the second round, a strong showing this weekend could get the Demon Deacons back into the field.

WHO’S HOT

Maryland

Story Continues →