Random notes heading into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament:

The ACC certainly didn't carry on its long-held tradition of dominating the NCAA Tournament this year, but North Carolina has a chance to continue another amazing trend for the league.

Since the start of ACC play in 1953-54, the conference previously has had 22 teams that — like UNC this year — managed the following trifecta: (1) winning or sharing first place in the regular-season standings, (2) capturing the ACC Tournament to become the league's official champion, and (3) being eligible for the NCAA Tournament. (In 1955, 1959 and 1973, double-winners from N.C. State were ineligible for postseason play because of probation.) The performance of those 22 elite and eligible ACC teams is remarkable.

Year — School — Coach — NCAA Tournament

1956 — N.C. State — Everett Case — Round of 32

1957 — North Carolina — Frank McGuire — NCAA CHAMPIONS

1962 — Wake Forest — Bones McKinney — Final Four

1963 — Duke — Vic Bubas — Final Four

1964 — Duke — Vic Bubas — Final Four (Runner-up)

1966 — Duke — Vic Bubas — Final Four

1967 — North Carolina — Dean Smith — Final Four

1968 — North Carolina — Dean Smith — Final Four (Runner-up)

1969 — North Carolina — Dean Smith — Final Four

1972 — North Carolina — Dean Smith — Final Four

1974 — N.C. State — Norm Sloan — NCAA CHAMPIONS

1977 — North Carolina — Dean Smith — Final Four (Runner-up)

1979 — North Carolina — Dean Smith — Round of 32

1982 — North Carolina — Dean Smith — NCAA CHAMPIONS

1985 — Georgia Tech — Bobby Cremins — Elite Eight

1986 — Duke — Mike Krzyzewski — Final Four (Runner-up)

1992 — Duke — Mike Krzyzewski — NCAA CHAMPIONS

1995 — Wake Forest — Dave Odom — Sweet 16

1999 — Duke — Mike Krzyzewski — Final Four (Runner-up)

2000 — Duke — Mike Krzyzewski — Sweet 16

2001 — Duke — Mike Krzyzewski — NCAA CHAMPIONS

2006 — Duke — Mike Krzyzewski — Sweet 16

2007 — North Carolina — Roy Williams — ???

The 22-team tally? Five NCAA champions, 10 title-game appearances and 16 Final Four trips. Wow.

CAROLINA CHALLENGE A CAN'T-MISS EVENT (SATURDAY)

If you're a fan of high school basketball in the state of North Carolina, and you live anywhere near the Triangle, this weekend offers a no-cost, can't-miss opportunity.

Dave Telep, the national basketball recruiting director for Scout.com, is hosting the inaugural Carolina Challenge on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cary Academy. The school is located at 1500 North Harrison Avenue in Cary. The event recently was profiled in an excellent article by Guy Loranger of the Durham Herald-Sun.

Eighty of the top underclassmen in North Carolina will be on hand, including prominent juniors such as Catalin Baciu, Victor Davila, Ken Gabriel, Damier Pitts, J.T. Thompson and Ty Walker. Thompson is a Virginia Tech commitment, and many of the other prospects who will be in attendance also are already on the radar of many programs in the ACC and other power conferences.

"It's a rare opportunity to see the entire state of North Carolina — freshmen, sophomores and juniors — under one roof," Telep said. "If you're a basketball junkie, and you want to see the next generation of top prospects in this state up close and personal, you'll never get another opportunity quite like this one."

Don't forget: The public is invited, the talent level is awesome, and admission is free. ...

NCAA BRACKET: ALWAYS A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE

How are your brackets looking? After a 29-3 performance in the first round, it's been all downhill for me. Only nine of my Sweet 16 picks made it that far, although seven of my Elite Eight and all four of my Final Four projections survived the opening weekend. UNC was the only ACC team projected as a survivor beyond the Sweet 16 in my bracket, which turned out to be a good thing. ...