BC = Almost Conference Champs

The new guys in town almost took home the trophy on Sunday but the local bully just wouldn't let the title slip away from their fingers. Boston College, in their first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference, narrowly lost to Duke, 78-76, on Sunday in the final of the ACC men's basketball championship. The Eagles played a tough game but in the end, Al Skiner's boys just weren't good enough to beat the Blue Devils. This was BC's second two-point loss to Duke this year (they fell 83-81 on February 1). BC was led by Louis Hinnant's 20-points and Craig Smith's 19-point, 10-rebound performance. Jared Dudley added 14 for the Eagles. Duke was led by All-American J.J. Redick as he poured in 26-points with 7 three-point baskets -- two of which came in the deciding final moments This is Duke's record 16th ACC Tournament championship. They will be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will be a favorite to win the fourth NCAA Championship under coach Mike Krzyzewski. They head into March Madness with a 30-3 record. BC, a likely three or four seed (the brackets will be announced later on this afternoon), heads into the Tournament at 26-7. If things fall right for Boston College, they could have a legitimate shot at making the first Final Four in school history.