While the conference tournament is captivating many by the early 1970s, it can be just as frustrating and even heartbreaking for great teams that don't win it, and thus miss out on a chance to play in the NCAA tournament. An intense and high-impact rivalry develops between Maryland and North Carolina State, capped by the finale of the 1974 ACC tournament in arguably the greatest college basketball game ever -- and a battle that helps shape the future of the sport.
