Player of the Week
Maxime Raynaud, Stanford
The Cardinal were hot to start the year but are on a three game losing streak and are 9-5. They are in the middle of the pack in the ACC and could turn it around with a win streak. Raynaud has been very consistent for the squad. He leads the ACC in scoring with 20.9 points per game this season. Last week he put up a double double against Clemson with 14 points,13 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He then put up 21 points against Pittsburgh. Raynaud is climbing up draft boards fast.
Freshman of the Week
Cooper Flagg, Duke
While it feels like every week Flagg could win player and freshmen of the week, this week he really deserved it. Against Virginia Tech he put up 24 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals. In the team’s game against SMU he put up 24 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks. He continues to show why he should be the first pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Who’s Hot
Duke Blue Devils
The Devils are on an 8 game win streak and haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. They have completely reset their tone since the close loss to Kansas. Duke is always full of talent but it has rarely shown in March. This season could be the season where the Blue Devils come out on top in March and win it all.
Andrej Stojakovic, California
Stojakovic has been on a tear his sophomore season. He is averaging 19.9 points so far this season and has shot up draft boards. He put up 30 points in the squad’s last game against Clemson. He could end up moving up 2025 NBA Draft boards.
Who’s Cold
Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinal are on a three game losing skid and have fallen from the top of the conference. Stanford started off very hot but have cooled off a lot since then and are now in the middle of the pack in the conference. They need to snap out of it and play the way they did at the beginning of the season to get a chance to play in March.
Khaman Maluach, Duke
Maluch is still a projected top-10 pick in the draft but he hasn’t been playing his best basketball as of late. He is not known for getting points; he is known as a defensive and rebounding center. Against Virginia Tech he had 4 rebounds and 3 blocks and against SMU he had 8 rebounds and 1 block. He is the main point on defense for the Blue Devils and needs to be consistent to continue to maintain his draft stock.
Top 5 home teams
1. Duke Blue Devils
The blue and white have been dominant all season especially at home. The Blue Devils are 9-0 at home and have made the Cameron Indoor Stadium a tough place to play. They are the best home team in the ACC and it doesn’t look like they will be going down at home anytime soon.
2. Pittsburgh Panthers
Pitt has been a surprise this season and have managed their way to the top part of the ACC. Part of the reason they are at the top part of the ACC is because of how dominant they have been at home. They are 8-0 at home and continue to build momentum due to their home victories.
3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The Demon Deacons have had a solid season so far. They are 11-4 and are undefeated at home with an 8-0 record. They have made the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum a tough place to play. If the black and gold can build off the momentum they build at home they could be a dark horse in the ACC.
4. Clemson Tigers
The veteran heavy Tigers have been scary to play at home. The purple and orange are 9-1 so far this season when they play at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson is the second best team in the ACC with a record of 12-4 and have continued the momentum they build when they play at home. The Tigers could be a team to watch for in March.
5. North Carolina State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack have had a bit of an up and down season but have been consistent at home. The squad is 8-1 at home and 8-6 overall this season. They have only won their games at home and have gone winless on the road. If they could play the way they do at home on the road they could turn their season around.