Player of the Week
Scottie Barnes,SF/PF, #15 Florida State Seminoles
After a tremendous season came to an abrupt halt for the Seminoles last year, many thought Leonard Hamilton missed his chance to take his team all the way. But as the great Lee Corso likes to say, not so fast my friend. The Noles returned a decent amount of depth and have real star power with freshman phenom Scottie Barnes and senior MJ Walker. Walker provides excellent experience, and Barnes has a world of talent. He is 6’9 but is a pure point forward who has a developing offensive skill set.
He may not have the stats in this early season to show this (26% 3-PT, 42% FT), but he has the determination to maximize his abilities. Even in a game where he struggled mightily, he came through with the game-winning shot with a second left to knock off Indiana in OT. Since the heroic shot against the Hoosiers, he has led the Noles in scoring against in-state rival Florida (17 points) and conference foe Georgia Tech (16 points). Barnes is a perfect fit in Tallahassee with his impact on both ends of the floor and it appears that Barnes can take the Seminoles as far as he wants.
Who’s Hot
Quincy Guerrier, SG/SF, Syracuse Orange
You know it is a strange season when Syracuse scores over 100 points in two of their last three games. Jim Boeheim is known for his suffocating zone defense and struggles on offense. This year could be different. The main reason why Syracuse are averaging 83.7 points per game is emerging star sophomore Quincy Guerrier. He leads the Orange with 18 points per game and 10 rebounds per game and led the team to an overtime victory against Buffalo on Saturday.
In two games this week Guerrier racked up 45 points and 27 rebounds for the Orange on 61% shooting from the field and 40% shooting from deep. The 6’7 sophomore is taking quite the step from a year ago where he averaged seven points per game in zero starts for Boeheim’s team. There are plenty of players to keep an eye on for the Orange but if there is going to be one that stands out, it might as well be Guerrier.
Matthew Hurt, PF, #21 Duke Blue Devils
The one bright spot in an already discouraging season in Durham is the play of sophomore Matthew Hurt. There have not been many bright spots for the Blue Devils between two non-conference losses in Cameron Indoor and the total cancellation of non-conference play. But Matthew Hurt is emerging as a star and looks ready to salvage a season where all hope already seems lost.
Hurt is averaging nearly 19 points and eight rebounds for the Blue Devils who closed down non-conference play after a 15-point home loss to Illinois. In the opening game of ACC play, Hurt did it all with 18 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal to cap off an impressive 10-point road victory over Notre Dame. If Duke wants to make a run this season, look for Hurt to continue to lead the way for the Blue Devils.
Who’s Not
Walker Kessler, C, #22 North Carolina Tar Heels
It is not uncommon for North Carolina to develop their best prospects in their freshman season while the experienced veterans lead a national championship run, but this year is different. The Tar Heels returned two talented big men in Garrison Brooks and Armando Bacot, but there was very little talent after these two in the frontcourt, giving a huge opportunity to the two freshmen ranked 12 and 14 by ESPN’s Top 100, Day‘Ron Sharpe and Walker Kessler. So far, Sharpe has made the most of it averaging 18 minutes per game with 8.5 points and 6.8 rebounds. Kessler is only averaging 8 minutes per game with four points and two rebounds.
This staggering difference is not a great sign for Kessler, and it has been obvious in the time that they have played that Sharpe is the better player. Kessler will have to take advantage of his time that will be in even shorter supply as conference play starts up. If he continues to struggle, his minutes will continue to go down as he wastes a golden opportunity to make a name for himself in his important freshman season.
Devon Daniels, PG, North Carolina State Wolfpack
The leader of the Wolfpack, Devon Daniels, had a horrific week shooting the ball from beyond the arc. After a couple of cancellations and postponements, NC State was back in action with two games in three days and Daniels was unable to make a three-pointer in either contest. His shooting woes caught up to them in an 11-point loss against Saint Louis on Thursday, but they were able to bounce back against Campbell on the weekend.
Daniels dropped down to 25% from distance this season due to a 1-15 stretch in a three game stretch. He seemed to find his stroke in a 21-point outing against in-state rival North Carolina, but Daniels will have to keep this consistency in an always challenging ACC conference season.
Top 5 Christmas Wishes for the ACC Season
5. #17 Virginia vs. # 7 Villanova is played on Saturday
We have already been robbed of a top-25 matchup with Virginia vs Michigan State being cancelled, so it would be heartbreaking to lose another. This matchup includes the last two national champions and two of the best coaches and programs of the decade on Saturday night. This unique contest between two of the major programs in the country will the best Christmas gift for college basketball fans around the country.
4. Scottie Barnes and/or Jalen Johnson returns next season with fans
The ACC features two explosive young freshmen in Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson. Both are 6’9 point forwards with unreal athleticism and energy that can electrify any arena. These freshman phenoms are top prospects so it is unlikely that either return, but I would pay a ton of money to be able to see these two put on a show against any team next year.
3. We get to see both UNC-Duke games
Even with an unimpressive North Carolina team last year, college basketball’s greatest rivalry did not disappoint. An epic Duke comeback in Chapel Hill and incredible individual performances by Garrison Brooks and Vernon Carey Jr. in Durham highlighted two fantastic matchups between the Blue Devils and Tar Heels. I am sure this rivalry will live up to the hype even without fans, so I am hoping we are spoiled with two more fantastic games to add to one of the greatest rivalries in sports.
2. ACC Tournament goes on as scheduled
As COVID-19 ravaged the country in early March, the ACC Tournament, along with all of college basketball, was cancelled. This year’s tournament could be one of the most interesting we have had in years with no clear favorite and a ton of teams who could make a run and clinch an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully we are not robbed of an intriguing conference tournament again in 2021.
1. All of the players and coaches stay safe and healthy during the season
Of course, the number one priority is that all of the players and coaches and everyone involved in the ACC remain healthy and safe throughout the season. These players, coaches, managers, and more are sacrificing a lot to play this season and it is most important that they all remain healthy more than anything else.