Since the ACC tournament began in 1989, the league has never had all four of its teams ranked as high as this year. But as the tournament gets underway today at Byrd Stadium, with the competition level at an all-time high, its relevance may be at an all-time low.
All of the teams have already faced each other. All have wrapped up NCAA tournament bids. So what is really at stake?
“I’ve never been a fan of the ACC tournament, especially this year,” said Maryland junior Brian Farrell. “I would have loved to have played Syracuse this weekend or a team we never get to play ever. Why take four of the top six teams and just have ’em battle it out? It’s like, what’s the point?”
But at the same time, Farrell is quick to point out that there is a lot to gain this year for the Terps, who host the tournament in College Park for the first time since 2000.
“It’s a great opportunity for us,” said Farrell. “It can help us get a good seed for the NCAA tournament. If you’re one of those top four seeds, it’s a huge advantage, getting to where you want to be in the Final Four.”
Those who dislike the ACC tournament can point to tonight’s first semifinal, a rematch of top-seeded Virginia (11-1) and fourth-seeded Duke (11-3), teams that met just six days ago, with the Blue Devils winning, 13-9, in Charlottesville.
“Going into [Saturday’s] game, when you’re trying to build things up for your players, you’re using every little piece of motivation that you can find, in a lot of ways, there wasn’t a lot of those things for a game like that,” Virginia coach Dom Starsia told Inside Lacrosse. “The seeding for the tournament had already been established. We already knew we were going to play Duke again.”
It’s a similar scenario to 2009 when Virginia was undefeated and ranked No. 1 when it lost to Duke, then had to face the Blue Devils again, 13 days later in the tournament semifinals. Virginia lost the first one 15-10, and then the rematch, 16-5. The teams also played 13 days apart in 2008 and 15 days apart in 2007.
After losing to Duke eight straight times, Virginia is anxious to flip the script. But it won’t be easy against a team that dominated possession Saturday.
“For some reason we bring out the best in Duke,” said Starsia.
Revenge also is the storyline tonight for third-seeded Maryland (8-2), which faces second-seeded North Carolina (11-1). Four weeks ago, the Tar Heels beat the Terps, 9-7, and did it without their best player, Billy Bitter (19 goals, 20 assists), who has since returned to the lineup.
“Yeah, we shut him out,” joked Maryland coach Dave Cottle. “We have to do a better job at the faceoff X. We have to do a better job making them not shoot layups. They were clever. They were smart. They kind of dominated the play even though it was 4-4 at the half.”
While many in College Park are generally unenthusiastic about facing familiar ACC opponents, they do recognize the special opportunity this year brings.
“It’s pretty cool playing the best in the country,” said Maryland goalie Brian Phipps. “To be the best, you have to beat the best.”
