With three games left on the #ACC basketball schedule for each team, the dust is beginning to settle. As an #ACC basketball fan, if you’ve been following games, despite overall records, the #ACC conference has a bright future ahead of itself. If the #ACC ever needs a slogan, I think it should be “Are you shocked too? Get used to it.”
Virginia (26-1 Overall, 14-1 Conference)
Last 10 games: 9-1
#UVA is back on a 7-game winning streak. Since losing to #Duke back on Jan. 31, the #UVA Cavaliers have given up 50 points only twice (64 points against #UNC & 60 points to #GoDeacs / Wake Forest). In the same 7-game span, Cavalier opponents have shot just 35.9% from the field. Against #GoDeacs, on the road, the Cavaliers held the Demon Deacons to only 34 points on just 12 total field goals. The Demon Deacons shot 12/55 from the field, 4/22 from the 3-pt line. And the Cavaliers did all this without junior Justin Anderson and sophomore London Perrantes.
Needless to say, you have to respect this #UVA squad if you’re an #ACC fan like myself. They’ve got the #Hokies, #Syracuse, and #CardNation left on their schedule and while the conference as a whole is improving, I don’t foresee these teams beating #UVA. When Perrantes and Anderson finally return for the Cavaliers to make this March Madness run though, look out! The Cavaliers should get a 1 seed and with this nucleus of players, they should go far. When it comes to the question, “Are they better than Kentucky?” Honestly, I don’t know, BUT I will say, #UVA would give Kentucky a 40 minute if not extra minutes type of game.
Olivier Hanlan, Boston College
Conference Stats: 22.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 4 apg, 47.8 % FG
Despite his teams record, you’ve gotta love this kid’s heart and determination if you’ve been following him. Against #Pitt, Hanlan scored 39 points on 10/20 shooting from the field and went 14/14 from the free throw line. The junior guard has elevated his level of play every game for the #BCEagles despite their 9-18 record. In their last 6 games, Hanlan has scored 30 points or more in 4 games and shot a stellar 50.8 % from the field despite his team’s 9-game losing skid. If anything, Hanlan needs recognition for his consistency despite the results of the game.
Hanlan’s 39-pt performance against #Pitt set a new career high for him in points. He is the current leader in the #ACC in total points (524), first in minutes played per game (37.8), first in points per game (19.4), and third in total minutes played (1,020). These things are not easy to maintain when your team’s record is 9-18 and haven’t won a game since January 25.
Georgia Tech (12-16 Overall, 3-13 Conference)
Last 10 Games: 3-7
In Brian Gregory’s fourth season as head coach, it seems as though the Yellow Jackets are going backwards. The Yellow Jackets are 14th in points per game in the conference (61.4) and lost 7 straight games before winning a conference game. While the Yellow Jackets handled their out of conference schedule fairly well, it seems as though the #ACC conference is too much for #GaTech to handle. Last year they went 6-12, this year they’re on track to finish with a worse record. Looks like things are going to change soon in Atlanta for the Yellow Jackets.
Codi Miller-McIntyre, Wake Forest
Season Stats: 14.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.3 apg, 45.8% shooting
The last few games have been a tough road for #GoDeacs proven leader as of late. Over his last 5 games, Miller-McIntyre is averaging 9 points on just 34.8% shooting from the field. As we close out these last few games, I hope that Miller-McIntyre can get out of this current slump. This #GoDeacs team has found a good coach in Danny Manning. Manning has already led his squad to upset victories over Richmond and #NCState and the #Canes so far this season. The Demon Deacons are 1-4 in their last five games, getting Miller-McIntyre going is key to #GoDeacs success. When he does well, the team as a whole does well too.
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