We're one week in and now is a great time to ignore sample size and jump to conclusions:
- Tyler Roche, your ACC Player of the Year. Corey Raji/Rakim Sanders, ever heard of a guy named Wally Pipp? Seriously, Tyler Roche should enjoy the spotlight that his 30 point (and perhaps more surprising 5 block) performance brought him, we may not hear from him again this year.
- UNC will NOT win the 2K Sports Tournament: Roy Williams said if the Heels bring the same effort in New York as they did on Sunday against Valpo they don't have a chance. Valpo and FIU exposed UNC's known weakness against a 2-3 zone, but UNC got enough transition baskets to avoid an upset. It appears that lack of perimeter shooting, NOT point guard play is the Heels' big problem.
- Brian Oliver, not Derrick Favors, is Georgia Tech's best freshman: Brian Oliver was the leading freshman scorer for Georgia Tech in their win on Saturday. Nevermind the fact that Derrick Favors played more minutes 24 than Oliver's 13 and Favors was taken out with foul trouble in the first. Favors finished with 10 points and 8 rebounds and had a quietly solid game for the Yellow Jackets.
- Trevor Booker will finish the season as Clemson's 3rd leading scorer: Tanner Smith and Noel Johnson led the way in the Tigers opening win while Booker scored 11 points. Johnson is taken over for Terrence Oglesby has Clemson's sharp-shooter and Tanner Smith may be the most improved player in the ACC this season. All that said, if Trevor Booker isn't leading the Tigers in scoring at the end of the season, its a real bad sign.
- Guards or no guards, Duke has the most efficient offense in the ACC: Duke's 141 offensive efficiency rating against UNCG was impressive especially without Nolan Smith. The Blue Devils won't keep it up, but its clear that Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer will average close to a combined 30 shots per game.
- Miami gets all the calls: Looking at the ACC foul differential leaders, Miami leads the way and clearly shows the bias officials are showing such a talented team. Just thought I'd throw this out there while Duke/UNC aren't at the top of the list.
- To avoid injury problems, recruit brothers: Duke would struggle in past seasons to replace a big man who is injured (Mason Plumlee), but this season they keep it in the family. Miles Plumlee has been playing great so far this season and is likely a little more ready for big minutes than his younger brother Mason. Over at UNC, Roy Williams is already thinking ahead with the Wear twins, same with Purnell and the Bookers.
A few other more serious thoughts:
- Al-Farouq Aminu is taking care of business at Wake Forest, and is priming himself for a great season.
- Similarly, Iman Shumpert's numbers are going to benefit from of all of the talent on Georgia Tech's roster this season.
- The more I think about it, Clemson may win the ACC this season. I like their backcourt play and ability to get easy baskets off of their defense. Further, if they find perimter shooters to keep people off Booker they will be difficult to stop.
- Deon Thompson, Ed Davis, and Tyler Zeller may be UNC's three best players. Could Roy Williams get these three in the game together?
I don't know about you, but I'm glad its basketball season.
