With the Super Bowl in the rear view mirror, the next big event on the sports stage is college basketball’s season-ending tournaments.

Since 1997, college basketball’s national champion has come from several different conferences: the Pac 10 (Arizona), SEC (Kentucky and Florida), Big 10 (Michigan State), the ACC (Duke, Maryland, North Carolina), Big 12 (Kansas) and the Big East (UConn, Syracuse).

Over the next few weeks, we’ll examine some of the top hoop teams in each conference.

Atlantic Coast

DUKE

Coach Mike Krzyzewski has another talented team that is just two years removed from a national title, one that is flexing its ACC muscles again. This is an athletic team behind the backcourt of freshman guard Austin Rivers (14 ppg) plus a big frontcourt of 6-11 junior Ryan Kelly (12.7 ppg) and 6-10 junior Mason Plumlee (12 ppg, 9.8 rpg) and 6-10 senior Miles Plumlee. The Blue Devils like the uptempo game averaging 80 ppg.

While everyone thinks of Duke as a run-and-gun, three-point team, an outstanding defense has allowed 64.7 ppg (fifth in the ACC) and fourth in field goal shooting defense. Duke is tops in the ACC in points, field goals (47%) and free throws (75%).

Note: Big showdowns with rivals North Carolina and Maryland.

FLORIDA ST. SEMINOLES

Coach Leonard Hamilton’s Seminoles have been getting it done with defense, allowing 61 points and 36% shooting, both tops in the ACC. They are led by the backcourt of 6-5 junior guard Mike Snaer (13.8 ppg) and sophomore Ian Miller. Up front are 6-10 senior Bernard James (8.9 rpg) and 6-11 senior Xavier Gibson.

Defense keyed a 5-game ACC win streak the last two weeks, holding three opponents under 60 points. FSU has beaten North Carolina (a 90-57 rout), Duke and Virginia during a current seven-game winning streak.

Note: A showdown with the Blue Devils in two weeks at Tallahassee, a rematch of game FSU won at the buzzer in Durham.

N. CAROLINA TAR HEELS

The Tar Heels have a powerhouse offensive team that is tops in the nation in points and rebounds plus third in assists. Yet, they have three losses, two of them thumpings, to UNLV (90-80) and Florida State by 33. UNC has a power frontcourt of 6-10 junior Josh Henson (14 ppg, 10 rpg), 7-foot, 250-lb Tyler Zeller (14.8 ppg, 9 rpg) and 6-8 soph Harrison Barnes (17.5 ppg, 5 rpg).

 The Heels are a bad three-point shooting team and second worst from the charity stripe (67%) in the league. They are 8-20 ATS in their last 28 after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game.

 Note: Despite all that offense, the UNDER is 30-13 in UNC’s last 43 ACC contests.

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS

The Cavaliers are getting it done with a terrific one-two punch of 6-8 senior Mike Scott (16.7 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6-6 sophomore Joe Harris (12.3 ppg). Virginia plays good defense and are third in the ACC in points allowed, as well as tops in three-point shooting (38.8%).

Virginia lost 61-58 at Duke, so they can slow it down with defense and three-point shooting to keep it close. The Cavaliers are 17-8 ATS in their last 25 against ACC foes. In addition, the UNDER is 22-5 in the Cavaliers last 27 games following a win. The UNDER is also 20-6 under in their last 26 home games.

Note: Virginia has two games remaining with North Carolina, including one this weekend.

NC STATE WOLFPACK

The Wolfpack is staying alive with a frontcourt that is one of the best at offensive rebounding in the ACC, led by 6-8, 250-pound junior Richard Howell (9.4 rpg) and 6-8 senior C.J. Leslie (12.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg). They are not strong in most other stats and had a tough two-game run last week, getting beaten up by North Carolina (74-55) and losing at home to Virginia by a point.

State has losses to Indiana, Stanford and Virginia, with its best wins out of the league over Texas (No. 70), St. Bonaventure (85) and Princeton (108) and wins inside the league over Miami (67) and Maryland (96).

Note: That’s not going to get it done on Selection Sunday, so, like many, they need a late season push.