Player of the Week
Tre Donaldson, Miami Hurricanes
Tre Donaldson has played like the true point guard Miami has been searching for, running the Hurricanes’ offense with near perfection. Across wins over Wake Forest and Georgia Tech, Donaldson averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, and two steals while shooting 65 percent from the floor. Against Georgia Tech, he posted a career-high 27 points and added 10 assists. During that two-game stretch, he consistently got to the rim, finished in traffic, and drew fouls, going 14-for-15 from the free-throw line. He is now shooting 77 percent at the stripe this season, a seven-point jump from last year. A transfer from Michigan, Donaldson has proven he can thrive against high-level competition, and he is delivering everything Miami hoped for when it landed him in the portal.
Who’s Hot
Darrion Williams, NC State Wolfpack
After a quiet finish to non-conference play, Darrion Williams has rediscovered his rhythm. He posted his first 20-point game since Nov. 17 against Boston College and followed it with another 20-point performance in a blowout win over Florida State. Even when the scoring is not there, Williams contributes through rebounding and defense, making him a vital piece for NC State. With multiple scoring options already in place, the Wolfpack becomes much more difficult to beat when Williams is producing offensively.
Virginia Cavaliers
After an early ACC loss to Virginia Tech raised some doubts, Virginia has responded by rattling off three straight conference wins by 15 points or more. Thijs de Ridder has led the charge, averaging 16.4 points per game on 55.4 percent shooting, but this Cavaliers team is built on depth. Malik Thomas, Jacari White, and Chance Mallory are all capable of taking over games when they get hot, making Virginia one of the deepest and most balanced teams in the conference.
Who’s Not
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech has struggled to find consistency in ACC play. After a close loss to Duke and a win over Boston College, the Yellow Jackets have dropped two straight while their defense has slipped badly. They have allowed 82 points to Syracuse and 91 to Miami, a stark contrast from their early-season defensive success. With a brutal stretch ahead, Georgia Tech will need to tighten things up quickly to stay competitive.
Isaac McKneely, Louisville Cardinals
Louisville has championship aspirations, but it needs more from its x-factor. McKneely struggled in a loss to Duke, scoring just six points on 1-for-5 shooting, then followed with 13 points on 3-for-10 shooting against Boston College. Louisville is 6–1 when McKneely scores 15 or more, underscoring how vital his scoring is to their success. If he can break out of this shooting slump, he can be the difference between wins and losses.
Top 5 Seniors
1. Boopie Miller, SMU Mustangs
Miller has been outstanding, averaging 20.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists while shooting 44 percent from the floor. He also adds two steals per game, turning defense into easy offense. His playmaking and scoring have made SMU a dangerous opponent every night.
2. Malik Reneau, Miami Hurricanes
Reneau has been a force in the paint, averaging 20.6 points per game on 57.5 percent shooting, ranking 23rd nationally in scoring. His interior dominance has been a major reason for Miami’s success this season.
3. Darrion Williams, NC State Wolfpack
Williams averages 14.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, but his impact goes far beyond the box score. He is one of NC State’s best defenders and a key leader as the Wolfpack sits in fifth place in ACC play.
4. Tre Donaldson, Miami Hurricanes
Donaldson’s ability to control the game makes him one of the most valuable guards in the ACC. He is averaging 16.6 points and 6.9 assists, ranking 11th nationally in assists, while keeping Miami’s offense humming.
5. Ryan Conwell, Louisville Cardinals
Conwell has been one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, putting up 19.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He takes nearly 10 threes per game at a 37 percent clip and shoots 80 percent from the line, giving Louisville a high-volume, high-efficiency scoring threat who looks every bit like a pro.