Player of the Week:
Jarkel Joiner, NC State Wolfpack
We’ve spent a lot of time tracking Terquavion Smith due to his NBA potential, but it’s time to give Jarkel Joiner his due. His individual 7-0 run against North Carolina effectively ended the Heels’ post season hopes and became the first of two consecutive 29-point games for the Wolfpack. While not quite as athletic as Smith, Joiner is a legit athlete with three-level scoring ability that is as effective as any guard in the league. Keep an eye on him as a potential breakout star during March Madness.
Who’s Hot?
Judah Mintz, Syracuse Orange
Kyle Filipowski will undoubtedly earn ACC Freshman of the Year for his terrific season, but Mintz is starting to put some serious pressure on Duke’s seven-footer. One of the lone bright spots for the Orange is emerging as one of the nation’s top freshmen over the last eight games. In these contests, the 6-3 combo guard is averaging 19 points and four assists while improving the major criticism of his game, 3-point shooting, with a 52% average from beyond the arc.
Isaiah Wong, No. 13 Miami Hurricanes
The ‘Canes are on a real heater in February as their winning streak has climbed to seven games to get back to the top of the ACC standings heading into the weekend. The constant has been double-digit performances from their leader and superstar Isaiah Wong. Wong has reached that mark in each game since a road loss to Duke in late January and his 27 points against Wake Forest marked a season high for the standout senior in conference play.
Who’s Not?
No. 6 Virginia Cavaliers
It’s hard to fathom how quickly things have come crashing down in Charlottesville as the once dominant Virginia Cavaliers have looked pedestrian over the last four games. If the refs didn’t overturn a late foul call against Duke, they’d be losers of two of the last four with their only two wins coming against the bottom-feeders of the conference in less than convincing fashion. A duel with North Carolina on Saturday feels like a make-or-break moment for both teams, with the stakes obviously higher for the hosts in Chapel Hill.
Clemson Tigers
Brad Brownell’s group was atop the ACC standings as recently as this month and a NCAA Tournament berth was looking certain after an 18-4 start. Now the Tigers have lost four of their last six with road tests against NC State and Virginia on the horizon. Without at least one win from these two and the Tigers will be out of the running for an at-large bid in this year’s big dance.
Freshman of the Week:
Dariq Whitehead, Duke Blue Devils
When Whitehead went down with a lower leg injury against Virginia Tech, it looked like his brief season might be over for good. Instead, the highly touted freshman rehabbed his way back into the lineup and is showing out as a sharpshooter ever since. The 46% perimeter shooter in ACC play is showing why the Blue Devils were so excited about him going into the season and why draft scouts will be excited about him whether he leaves this year or next year.
Top 5 Bracket Busting Players
Last year’s NCAA Tournament saw several UNC players step up to carry their team to the National Championship while Isaiah Wong did his part to take the 10-seed Miami Hurricanes to the Elite Eight. Many of those faces are back this year, so it’s time to take a look at the top five players who could take over at any time in March Madness.
5. Jarkel Joiner, NC State Wolfpack
We saw against the Tar Heels that Joiner can get it going in an instant and the energy he plays with is exactly what makes players thrive in March. The Wolfpack’s backcourt feels very similar to Auburn’s in 2019, which carried the Tigers to the Final Four, which is why this isn’t the last we’ll see of NC State on this list.
4. Nijel Pack, No. 13 Miami Hurricanes
Another player who has the confidence and motor to break onto the scene in March Madness in Nijel Pack. The Kansas State transfer is the definition of a microwave shooter with the limitless range to takeover at any time. He may not be the highest Hurricane on this list, but don’t be surprised if he ends up carrying the load as teams try to clamp down on Isaiah Wong.
3. Caleb Love, North Carolina Tar Heels
It was impossible to exclude Love after the performance he put on in last year’s tournament. With him starting to heat up once again late in the season, it seems like the only thing that can stop him is the NCAA Tournament committee. The Heels are on the outside looking in as things stand, but it’d be foolish to count out Love and the Tar Heels with all their talent and experience.
2. Terquavion Smith, NC State Wolfpack
There’s a reason why NBA scouts have been looking at Smith as a potential first round pick since he broke onto the scene as a freshman with the Wolfpack – he has all the tools to be a special and dynamic player. We’ve seen players put it all together on the biggest stage in college hoops and there’s no reason why Smith can’t be the next.
1. Isaiah Wong, No. 13 Miami Hurricanes
Who else but Isaiah Wong? Miami’s star is getting hot at just the right time and looks poised to lead them on another late run in March Madness. But this time, no one is going to be surprised by his sensational play. The ‘Canes will surely be a top-five seed and as long as their lead guards keep playing the way they are now, they’ll be even harder to stop this time around with an easier path to the second weekend.