Player of the Week
Cameron Boozer, Duke
Boozer continues to strengthen his case as National player of the year and a potential top-three NBA Draft pick with another dominant week. He posted 24 points and 13 rebounds in just 24 minutes during a 100-56 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, followed by 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in a convincing victory over the Virginia Cavaliers. Boozer capped the stretch with 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while shooting 12-of-15 from the field in a 93-64 road win over the NC State Wolfpack. Now averaging 22.7 points (6th nationally), 10.1 rebounds (11th nationally), and 4.0 assists per game while shooting 58.3% from the field and 41% from three, Boozer continues to dominate older competition while impacting the game across the board.
Who’s Hot
Chris Bell, California
Chris Bell has flashed All-ACC scoring ability throughout the season and appears to be heating up at the right time. Bell scored 22 points against the Boston College Eagles before following that performance with back-to-back 20-point outings against the Stanford Cardinal and Southern Methodist Mustangs. He delivered timely shot-making in key moments, reinforcing why he has been central to California’s offensive success. While Bell can be streaky, his three-point shooting and ability to get to the free-throw line make him a dangerous scorer when in rhythm.
Duke Blue Devils
Duke is coming off arguably its biggest win of the season after knocking off the No. 1 ranked Michigan Wolverines, then carried that momentum into South Bend with a 44-point dismantling of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Blue Devils have now won five straight games and look increasingly complete. Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans are playing at a high level, while Patrick Ngongba and Caleb Foster have stepped up recently, combining for roughly 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. Duke’s balance, rebounding dominance, and offensive efficiency have them firmly in the ACC title picture.
Who’s Not
Clemson Tigers
The Clemson Tigers are mired in a four-game losing streak after once looking like a legitimate ACC championship contender. Recent losses to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Stanford Cardinal have highlighted ongoing inconsistencies. Early-season standout Jestin Porter has cooled off significantly and is seeing fewer minutes, while head coach Brad Brownell continues to search for a reliable go-to scorer, rotating options such as Jake Wahlin and Butta Johnson. Clemson needs to rediscover its identity by limiting turnovers and leaning on its depth to stabilize down the stretch.
Naithan George, Syracuse
Naithan George has struggled during Syracuse’s recent slide, hurting the Orange during a two-game losing streak. In a lopsided loss to Duke, George scored eight points in 33 minutes, then followed with seven points on 2-of-11 shooting and 0-of-5 from three against the North Carolina Tar Heels. While his recent outings have been out of rhythm, George remains one of Syracuse’s most capable contributors, averaging 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists on the season. The key question is when he will regain his form.
Teams That Can Climb the Rankings
Syracuse Orange
Syracuse currently sits 13th in the ACC standings but has a chance to climb if it can find consistency. Upcoming games against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Louisville Cardinals, and Southern Methodist Mustangs provide an opportunity to build momentum if the Orange can stabilize offensively.
Stanford Cardinal
Stanford needs to make one final push before the ACC Tournament. Coming off a win over the Pittsburgh Panthers, the Cardinal must beat Southern Methodist to keep their hopes alive. Matchups against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and NC State Wolfpack to close the season offer opportunities to regain traction.
Florida State Seminoles
Florida State will be eager to respond after a loss snapped a three-game winning streak. With Robert McRay V playing strong basketball, the Seminoles have a path to close the season on a positive note with upcoming games against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Pittsburgh Panthers, and Southern Methodist Mustangs.