With conference play around the corner, let's take a trip around the ACC this morning...
Boston College - The Eagles take on UMASS this weekend have have matchups with Maryland and Kansas around the corner. The Eagles have been a different team with the return of center, Sean Williams. Williams is averaging 8.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, and 7.7 bpg in the 3 game since his return. The problem for BC early in the season has been their woeful three point shooting, which at 26% is last in the ACC.
Clemson - The Clemson Tigers are 8-0 on the early season and could win their next six if they can get past South Carolina and Georgia to move to 14-0. KC Rivers has suprised some averaging 14.3 ppg so far this season while coming off the bench. Oliver Purnell is using full court pressure to disrupt their opponents, and using his depth to keep his team fresh. The Tigers have nine players averagine more than 10 minutes per game.
Duke - The Blue Devils are 6-1 on the season, with their only loss to a quality Marquette team. The Blue Devils are currently ranked #1 in the ACC in Defensive Efficiency, but are second to last in Offensive Efficiency. Demarcus Nelson has set the tone offensively, averaging 14.3 ppg, while a quartet of freshmen are critical to Duke's success. One player who has been an enigma thus far is Josh McRoberts, who is averaging 10.7 ppg, but simply hasn't asserted himself on offense.
Florida State - At 4-2 the Florida State Seminoles are on a 2 game losing streak with consecutive losses to two top 20 teams. On Sunday, FSU goes to Florida for a third straight difficult road game. FSU is last in the ACC in Offensive Effiency, mainly because the 'Noles are not getting enough from Al Thornton and Uche Echefu in the paint. Auburn transfer and point guard, Toney Douglas, is averaging 15 ppg, but just 3.2 apg and 3.3 tpg.
Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets are 6-1, with a loss to UCLA in Maui as their only blemish. The Yellow Jackets open up conference play this weekend as they go to Miami. One question will be if Thaddeus Young will be available for the conference opener. Young missed the Penn St game on Tuesday with a sore knee. So far Young and fellow freshman Javaris Crittenton have been as advertised, as both have averaged greater than 14 ppg.
Maryland - Maryland has been the surprise of the ACC so far, and at 8-0 have had key wins against Michigan St and on the road at Illinois. The Terps have been sparked by two freshmen in the backcourt, Greivis Vasquez and Eric Hayes. Vasquez in particular is getting a lot of attention after an impressive performance at Illinois. One concern for the Terps is an ankle injury to Ekene Ibekwe that held him out of the Illinois game.
Miami - The Hurricanes are 4-3 on the year and have been led by Siena transfer, Jack McClinton. McClinton has been everything to the Canes averaging 20.9 ppg, while only one other Miami player is in double-figures, Brian Asbury at 10.7 ppg. Anthony King hasn't yet asserted himself on the offensive end, averaging just 8 ppg, although he is in double-figures in rebounds at 10.1 rpg. Miami is currently at the bottom of the ACC in field goal and three point shooting percentages, which is something the Canes will have to improve on this weekend as they open conference play hosting Georgia Tech.
North Carolina - Tyler Hansbrough has lived up to the preseason media hype so far in his sophomore season leading the Heels to a 5-1 record. The only loss came to Gonzaga which frustrated Hansbrough, but "Psycho T", as he is affectionately called by Tarheel fans is still averaging 20.7 ppg to go along with 9.7 rpg. A freshmen trio of Brandan Wright, Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson are all in double-figures, as well. After a brutal November, the Heels take on Kentucky on Sunday, but then should cruise through their next seven games.
North Carolina State - The Sidney Lowe era has oppened with 5 wins, but the concern around Raleigh is the lack of depth. The Wolfpack have just seven players averaging more than 15 minutes per game. On top of the lack of depth, Engin Atsur will likely not play against Virginia in the conference opener on Sunday. One concern for Sidney Lowe should be the Wolfpack defense, which is 2nd to last in Defensive Efficiency in the ACC.
Virginia - The Wahoos opened up their season with a dramatic win over Arizona, but there are some concerns in Charlottesville. Virginia went to Purdue and lost on Wednesday, which wasn't too bad of a loss, but the major concern for the Cavaliers are injuries. Tunji Soroye, Laurynas Mikalauskas, Soloman Tat, and Adrian Joseph are all battling injuries, although Tat is the only one missing time currently.
Virginia Tech - Virginia Tech is one team that has been dissappointing so far this season, with losses to Western Michigan and Southern Illinois in Florida. The Hokies bounced back with a win against Iowa in the ACC/Big 10 Challenge but there are a number of frontcourt questions Seth Greenberg will need to answer. In the Iowa win, Greenberg went with a new frontcourt of Lewis Witcher and Cheick Diakite which seemed to work well in the win.
Wake Forest - The Demon Deacons started off the season 5-0, but then suffered their worst road loss in nearly 40 years when Air Force beat them 94-58 on Wednesday. Kyle Visser has finally lived up to the promise he showed his freshman season as the senior is averaging 18.7 ppg and 8.3 rpg. While Visser has anchored the frontcourt, freshman Ish Smith has surpassed expectations in the backcourt. Smith is averaging 11.3 ppg and 7.8 apg, which currently leads the ACC in assists per game.
