In the Paint

This was the year when the Atlantic Coast Conference was supposed to be better. Duke wasn't supposed to be so dominant and the league was supposed to be more competitive.

But this season was just like the last -- it was still all about Duke.

And while last season's dominant performance by Duke could be rationalized by the rest of the league coaches, given Duke had four future NBA players, this season's lack of competition showed just how big the chasm is between the Blue Devils and the rest of the league.

With the ACC down, the conference received just three berths to the NCAA Tournament. Maryland finished second in the league and North Carolina finished tied for third and both teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Virginia was better this season, but limped to the finish and had to settle for the NIT.

That UNC got hot enough for its first four-game winning streak of the season -- reaching the Final Four -- ensured that the league was represented in the Final Four for the fourth consecutive season, and for the 12th time in 13 years.

Conference champion: Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski blended a lineup of three upperclassmen and three freshman and put together a championship team. The Blue Devils went 15-1 in league play -- losing only to Maryland at home -- and had little struggle in the ACC Tournament.

Upperclassmen Shane Battier, Chris Carrawell and Nate James encouraged and helped develop freshmen center Carlos Boozer, point guard Jason Williams and swingman Mike Dunleavy. The result was a team that lacked depth, but had great talent, defense and offense.

Biggest disappointment: Despite its NCAA run, North Carolina entered the season as the league favorite, but the Tar Heels were never a threat. Carolina lost three straight league games early in the season.

Carolina, which had injuries to Brian Bersticker, Ronald Curry and Kris Lang, finished the regular season 9-7 and tied for third in the ACC. The Tar Heels entered the postseason with fewer than 20 victories for just the third time since 1975.

Biggest surprise: Virginia entered the season as a team a year away from being a major factor. Led by coach Pete Gillen, the Cavaliers finished tied for third in the league.

But we need to add North Carolina here, too. The Tar Heels evolved into a scary team during the NCAA Tournament, and will be a team to reckon with again in 2000-2001.

Player of the year: Duke's Chris Carrawell carried the Blue Devils at times this season. The senior led the Blue Devils in scoring and was the guy who made things happen. Without him, Duke wouldn't have been the team it was.

Newcomer of the year: Two guys share this award -- Duke point guard Jason Williams and North Carolina guard Joseph Forte. Both filled major holes for their teams. Williams replaced Will Avery and Forte became the Tar Heels best offensive player, and was the key man in their NCAA success.

Coach of the year: Duke's Mike Krzyzewski did one of his best coaching jobs of his career. He took a team filled with questions and turned it into one of the nation's best.

The future: The ACC has the potential to be better next season. There isn't expected to be another large exodus of underclassmen talent like a year ago.

In addition, many of the league's top players are underclassmen. That combination should make the league better and the streak of getting just three teams in the tournament should end at two.