The ACC tournament quarterfinals followed a predictable course, with higher seeds in command, until the PA announcer at the Capital Centre drew attention to the huge digital sound meters hanging from the ceiling. The announcer’s seemingly insignificant cue, inviting fans to drive the meter to a level where a light show would be ignited, had an immediate, transformative effect: crowd enthusiasm peaked even as the competitive tide shifted on the floor.
What ensued that weekend 30 years ago at Landover, Md., were three upsets, three overtime contests and a championship game fought to the buzzer before N.C. State emerged with its second ACC title under coach Jim Valvano.