It is early in the season, and despite it being a Saturday, only one ACC team is playing, so instead of going outside and raking leaves, lets talk about what stands out so far in ACC play?
- Visser and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons: Wake went on the road and beat a good Bucknell team that took out Kansas in the 2005 tournament. Kyle Visser is averaging 23 ppg and 9 rpg thus far, and making an incredible 79.3% of his shots.
- ACC makes statement early: With Virginia's win over Arizona and Maryland's 2K College Hoops Classic tournament win, the ACC had made a statement early this season. After getting just 4 bids a year ago, the ACC has 9 teams that can make a run at a NCAA bid.
- Early on, Experience > Talent: Watching BC fall to Vermont, the Heels struggle with Winthrop, and Duke battle with Georgia Southern among others, its apparent that early on experience is very important. Duke and UNC are bringing in two of the top recruiting classes, but with an insurgence of young talent, it ultimately means a larger number of players defining new roles.
- Sidney Lowe, low on reserves: At a point in the season where coaches stretch their rotation, Sidney Lowe is going seven deep. The Wolpack simply cannot afford foul trouble or an injury this season.
- Duke and UNC freshmen standing out: Duke currently has six players averaging 8.3 ppg or greater, and four of the six are freshmen. Brian Zoubek (11.7 ppg) and Jon Scheyer (10.3 ppg) each are averaging double-figures, while Gerald Henderson (9.7 ppg) and Lance Thomas (8.3 ppg) have been spectacular at times. For the Heels, three freshmen average greater than 9 ppg, with Wayne Ellington (11.5 ppg) and Brandan Wright (11 ppg) in double-figures while Ty Lawson (9.5 ppg) just misses that distinction.
- No big injury, yet: It is inevitable, someone will get injured and miss significant time going into ACC play, but it hasn't happened to this point in the season. The only player we know that is due to miss an ACC conference game is Akida McLain who will still be serving his nine game suspension when BC takes on the Terps on December, 10th.
