Tigers coach Oliver Purnell stated the obvious when he said, "We're going through a rough stretch right now."

Duke 6-foot-10 sophomore forward Josh McRoberts missed two attempts at game-winning baskets in back-to-back losses to Virginia and Florida State.

But conference coaches said that doesn't take away from what he's already proven in the league: He's a rare talent.

The Blue Devils' offense often runs through McRoberts, who leads the team in assists with 3.7 per game. He's also 10th in the ACC in assists-to-turnover ratio.

"I can't remember any big man in the ACC leading his team in assists and being one of the top guys in the ACC in assists," North Carolina coach Roy Williams said.

When Boston College dismissed standout junior forward Sean Williams for a violation of team rules last month, many expected the Eagles to struggle.

But after an initial 74-54 loss to Clemson, Boston College (16-6, 7-2) is back on track.

Their 21-point beating of then-No. 16 Virginia Tech showed that they aren't going away, even without the best shot blocker in the conference.

"We are who we are, and we have to adjust with what we have," Eagles coach Al Skinner said. "Guys are working their tails off to try to do that."