Yep, it's ACC tournament time. The first of two quadrupleheaders tips off in a few minutes. The Wake Forest is band is playing its catchy fight song. Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton is still searching for the moving target that is the NCAA tournament. Sean Hull, Gary Maxwell and Jamie Luckie will be officiating the first game. Billy Packer has color commentary on the Raycom broadcast. And I'm buckling up for a looooong day of basketball.

I'll be among those closing down the joint, too. Maryland-Boston College is the final game of the day, and this place could well be empty by halftime of what will likely be a 9:40 p.m. tip. Two years ago, you could clearly hear Gary Williams screaming at his players while sitting on the other side of the floor.

That was a 3-6 game. This is a 6-11 game. And there's no bump from having a Carolina school play the game before; Virginia-Georgia Tech will precede the Terps' game.

"There will be about 10 people here," longtime Maryland booster Jack Heise said yesterday during the Terps' practice session. "I'll be here."

At least Garyland South's population won't be zero tonight.

--- Patrick Stevens