| Year: | 1981 |
| Conference: | ACC |
| Gender: | Men's |
| Teams: | 8 |
| Arena: | Capital Centre |
| City: | Landover, Maryland |
| Champions: | North Carolina |
| Titlecount: | 9th |
| Coach: | Dean Smith |
| Coachcount: | 8th |
| Mvp: | Sam Perkins |
| Mvpteam: | North Carolina |
| Television: | C.D. Chesley |
The 1981 Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball tournament was held in Landover, Maryland, at the Capital Centre from March 5–7. North Carolina defeated Maryland, 61–60, to win the championship. Sam Perkins of North Carolina was named the tournament MVP.