Losses Sunday by Georgia Tech and Maryland left Duke the only ACC team in the NCAA tournament round of 16.
Duke is the lone survivor in what has been a dismal season for the ACC. Just two conference teams (Duke and Maryland) were ranked in the final regular-season Associated Press Top 25.
Although six ACC teams received NCAA bids, only Duke won more than one game, and the conference's record in the NCAA tournament is 5-5.
The scary thing for the ACC is that things probably won't get much better next season. At least five teams - Florida State, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Wake Forest and Maryland - seem likely to be worse next season if their personnel losses go as expected.
Two other teams - Boston College and Virginia - seem unlikely to challenge for an NCAA tournament bid. So the ACC will need Duke - plus North Carolina and N.C. State teams that seem likely to improve - to have big seasons in 2010-11.
A huge presence in the crowd was former NBA All-Star Artis Gilmore, who lives in Jacksonville.
It's the 40th anniversary of the run by Gilmore and Jacksonville University to the 1970 NCAA championship game. Gilmore - who stands 7 feet 2 - and Jacksonville lost 80-69 to UCLA in that game.
Duke's Blue Devil mascot succeeded in drawing the ire of the California fans. During a timeout with 11 minutes, 32 seconds remaining, the Devil ran to the opposite end of the floor and jumped around in front of Cal's sluggish Bear mascot. The Devil was booed loudly by the fans who interpreted the display as taunting.
Ken Tysiac
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Dave Harding, 10 of his fellow Duke offensive linemen and a strength coach went to Ethiopia in part to help construct wells where international organizations estimate that 76 percent of the eastern African country does not have access to clean water. The trip was something close to an unqualified success. 
N.C. State pitcher Carlos Rodon keeps winning. The freshman from Holly Springs won nine games during the regular season and two ACC awards on Monday. 
For winning the national title in 2010, Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski received a $2.5 million raise, boosting his total compensation by 54 percent to more than $7.2 million. 
The Blue Devils program capped a tumultuous start to the offseason with a recruiting coup and optimism about a strong returning lineup. 
League commissioner John Swofford announced Wednesday that when Syracuse and Pittsburgh join the ACC, the expanded bracket will include two opening games featuring the regular season’s bottom four teams. The ACC also sorted out a format for a nine-game conference football schedule at its annual spring meetings. 
The McDonald’s All-American recruit announces his intent to play for the Blue Devils, passing on offers from the Wolfpack, Kentucky, Ohio State and Villanova. 
The build-up to Amile Jefferson’s college decision, picking Duke over N.C. State and others, may create unrealistic expectations for the 6-foot-8 forward next fall. The Blue Devils, who badly needed him, will be happy to deal with that problem. Keep up with the latest sports stories with our free e-mail newsletters, delivered to your inbox!
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