UNC power forward Deon Thompson struggled against Virginia Tech on Saturday, missing all five of his shots and sitting out most of the second half (he played 16 minutes, total).

"The ball wouldn't stay on the basket, I couldn't find the ball on the glass, it was just one of those tough games,'' he said.

He'll need to improve today. The Tigers are one of the few teams in the league that can match Carolina's big bodies, and the Tar Heels need him to grab rebounds and take some of the pressure off forward Tyler Hansbrough in the lane. He averaged 8.5 points and 7.5 rebounds against Clemson this year.

REGULAR-SEASON RECAP

The Tar Heels needed a last-second 3-pointer by Wayne Ellington in overtime to win at Clemson 90-88 on Jan. 6, then needed to rally from a 15-point deficit and use two overtimes to top the Tigers at home on Feb. 10, 103-93.

What better way for Clemson to get even by winning its first ACC title today? The Tar Heels will be looking for their 17th ACC championship and second in a row.

Neither team will celebrate for long, not with the NCAA's Selection Sunday looming.