Player of the Week
RJ Davis (North Carolina)
Davis returning to Chapel Hill this season has been a crucial part to the Tar Heels most likely returning to March Madness after missing the big dance last year. The senior has looked like one of the best offensive players in the country with his confidence at an all-time high with the keys to the team. The guard has been averaging 21.7 points per game paired with both 3 rebounds and 3 assists a game along with a steal per contest. He is also shooting career bests from 3-point range and the foul line with 38.1% and 94.6% mark respectively. In his latest two-game stretch, the White Plains, New York, native put up numbers against two ranked opponents. In a loss to No. 14 Kentucky, Davis notched 27 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. In a win over then undefeated No. 7 Oklahoma, he garnered 23 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
Who’s Hot
Virginia Tech
The Hokies continue their impressive play as the season moves along. Boasting an 9-3 record, Virginia Tech currently sits tied for fourth in the conference. The squad has been firing on all cylinders as of late and is riding a four-game win streak as it has the thick of the conference beast in its horizon. The team has been a tough matchup defending the Cassell Coliseum as the unit nets a 7-0 record at home making it a tough scene for visiting opponents. The Hokies are led by Lyn Kidd who leads the team in points and rebounds per outing with 16.5 and 7.9. He is surrounded by the supporting cast of backcourt tandem Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla who are the only other double-digit scorers for the team.
Jared McCain (Duke)
After having some inconsistencies to the start of his collegiate career, McCain looked like the highly sought after recruit he was panned out to be in his recent showing against Baylor. Coming into John Scheyer’s very talented recruiting class, the guard was poised for a big role in a very deep Duke team mixed with seasoned veterans and fresh faces. Despite some ups-and-downs, the 6-foot-4 phenom turned it up a notch playing against No. 10 Baylor. Playing in front of the bright lights at Madison Square Garden, McCain poured it on against the Bears going for 21 points on 7-11 shooting including 3-6 from downtown.
Who’s Not
Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals sit at the bottom of the conference tied only with Notre Dame for the last place spot. Boasting a 5-7 tally, Louisville has hopped aboard the struggle bus in the 2023-2024 campaign. The team is currently coming off of an in-state showdown as they are fresh off of a tough 95-76 loss to No. 8 Kentucky. Ever since the departure of Rick Pitino, the program has struggled to recover the winning culture it is more notoriously known for. With conference play on the horizon, it will be tough sledding for the Cardinals going forward.
Carlton Carrington (Pitt)
Carrington continues to impress this season, but has cooled off from his tremendous stretch at the beginning of the season. In his last two performances, “Bub” has slowed down just a tad. In an outing against South Carolina State, the guard totaled just his second single-digit scoring output on the campaign recording just 5 total. In the next affair against Purdue Fort Wayne, the freshman tallied 0 assists, which was the first time all season he failed to record at least one as he facilitated at least 4 in all but one game.
Top 5 Stadium Environments
1. Duke Bluedevils
Cameron Indoor has historically been one of the toughest stadiums to play at in all of college basketball, and this season is no different. The Cameron Crazies are out in full force cheering for a very talented Blue Devils squad mixed with loads of young and returning talent.
2. North Carolina Tar Heels
Not too far from Cameron Indoor lies the arena of another tough stadium environment located in the State of North Carolina. UNC and Dean E. Smith Center is known for a rowdy environment and with the Tar Heels on pace to return to March Madness, the volume is just that much louder.
3. Syracuse Orange
The JMA Wireless Dome or more commonly known as “The Carrier Dome” has had a jolt of resurgence this season. With no more zone defense being played and the breakout of Judah Mintz the Orange have a lot to be cheering for.
4. Virginia Cavaliers
John Paul Jones Arena has been a tough task for any visitor to play at since it opened in 2006. With the Cavaliers holding a 9-2 showing so far, the Virginia faithful have made it a nightmare when opponents come to town as the unit is 7-0 at home.
5. Clemson Tigers
Littlejohn Coliseum may have the word “little” in its name, but the presence it makes for the Tigers is far from it. Despite being historically known as a football school, this year’s Clemson hoops team has flipped the script bringing in an electric atmosphere for when they step foot on the hardwood.