What Is 2001 ACC men's basketball tournament

Overview

The 2001 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament marked the 38th annual edition of the Atlantic Coast Conference postseason championship. Held from March 8 to March 11, 2001, the event determined the conference's automatic bid to the 2001 NCAA Tournament.

Duke emerged victorious by defeating Maryland in the final, securing its 12th ACC tournament title in program history. The tournament showcased several top-ranked teams, including Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia, all competing for conference supremacy.

• Duke won the championship by defeating Maryland 89–82 in the final game, marking their third consecutive ACC title under coach Mike Krzyzewski.
• The tournament was hosted at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina, a frequent site for the ACC tournament due to its central location within the conference footprint.
• Joseph Forte of North Carolina was named Tournament MVP after leading his team with 23.5 points per game during the event, despite not winning the title.
• Duke entered the tournament as the number one seed, finishing the regular season with a 14–2 conference record, the best in the ACC standings.
• The championship game drew a crowd of 23,341 fans, one of the largest attendances in the tournament’s history at the time.

How It Works

The ACC Men's Basketball Tournament follows a single-elimination format involving the top 12 teams in the conference based on regular-season performance.

• Format: The tournament uses a seeded, single-elimination bracket. The top four seeds receive byes into the quarterfinals, while lower seeds compete in early rounds.
• Seeding: Teams are seeded 1 through 12 based on their regular-season conference records, with tiebreakers used when necessary to determine rankings.
• Location: The venue rotates among select cities, though Greensboro, North Carolina has hosted the event more than any other city, including in 2001.
• Championship Game: The final determines the conference champion and awards the ACC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
• Player Awards: An MVP is selected after the final game, typically from the winning team, though standout performers from eliminated teams may also be recognized.
• Broadcast: The 2001 tournament was televised nationally by Raycom Sports and ESPN, with games aired across regional and national networks.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key tournament outcomes from 1999 to 2003 to contextualize the 2001 event:

This five-year span highlights Duke’s dominance, with four appearances in the final and three titles. Maryland also rose as a consistent contender, culminating in their 2002 and 2003 victories. The 2001 tournament was pivotal as it reinforced Duke’s national reputation ahead of a strong NCAA Tournament run.

Why It Matters

The 2001 ACC Tournament had significant implications for team legacies, NCAA seeding, and conference prestige. It solidified Duke as a powerhouse and influenced national rankings.

• Duke’s win improved their record to 29–4, securing a high seed in the NCAA Tournament and boosting their national championship aspirations.
• The performance helped Mike Krzyzewski enhance his reputation as one of college basketball’s top coaches during a peak era for the program.
• Maryland’s strong showing signaled their emergence as a national threat, foreshadowing their 2002 national championship win the following season.
• The tournament contributed to the ACC being recognized as the top conference in the country that year, with multiple teams earning high NCAA seeds.
• It provided national exposure for ACC schools, helping with recruiting and conference revenue through television contracts and ticket sales.
• The close final game demonstrated the competitive balance in the ACC, making it one of the most-watched conference tournaments of the early 2000s.

The 2001 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament remains a milestone in conference history, reflecting the intensity and excellence that define ACC basketball.