Player of the Week
Paul McNeil, NC State
There is one player on the Wolfpack that opposing defenses must always locate on the floor, and that is Paul McNeil Jr. McNeil erupted for a career-high 47 points while shooting 11-of-17 from three in a win over Texas Southern, showcasing his elite shot-making ability. He followed that performance with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc in a much-needed victory against Ole Miss. His ability to stretch the floor has been incredibly impactful midway through the season and is a major reason for NC State’s success. McNeil is shooting 43 percent from three while averaging 14.3 points per game, and if he sustains that production, he will remain a top priority on every opponent’s scouting report.
Who’s Hot
Clemson Tigers
Clemson picked up two important Power 4 wins this week against South Carolina and Cincinnati, continuing to prove that depth and experience can separate teams in close games. The Tigers rely on their bench and collective approach, and in big moments they have players like Jestin Porter and Dillon Hunter who can step up to hit timely shots or knock down free throws, as shown in their three-point win over Cincinnati. While no single player jumps off the stat sheet, Clemson shares the ball well and has consistently found ways to win over the past couple of games.
Shelton Henderson, Miami (FL)
Shelton Henderson is beginning to look like the X-factor Miami has been searching for over the past few months. This week, Henderson found his rhythm offensively, scoring 30 points against FIU and following it up with 20 points versus North Florida. While those were games Miami was expected to win, Henderson’s emergence is an encouraging sign. He is averaging 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this season, and if this level of play carries into ACC competition, Henderson could quickly become a problem for opposing defenses.
Who’s Not
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
With Notre Dame losing its leading scorer, Markus Burton, and no timetable for his return, the Fighting Irish are taking things one game at a time. After a loss to Purdue Fort Wayne and with conference play approaching, Micah Shrewsberry’s group will need to rediscover its identity. Freshman Jalen Haralson has been a bright spot, scoring efficiently, while Carson Towt has emerged as one of the nation’s top rebounders at 10.2 boards per game. Still, the pieces have not fully come together without Burton. Shrewsberry has a track record of steadying teams after slow starts, so Notre Dame should not be written off just yet.
Omaha Biliew, Wake Forest
Omaha Biliew continues to log meaningful minutes for Wake Forest but has struggled to make a consistent impact. In a three-point win over Longwood, he finished with just three points, one assist, and one rebound on 1-of-4 shooting in 23 minutes. He followed that with five points, three rebounds, and one assist on 1-of-5 shooting in a 29-point loss to Vanderbilt. Biliew’s physical tools remain evident, as his length and athleticism once made him a top-10 high school recruit, but he has yet to translate those traits into consistent production at his second collegiate stop. He is averaging 6.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7 percent. Conference play may provide an opportunity for him to regain confidence and find his footing.
Top 5 ACC Teams
Duke Blue Devils
Despite suffering their first loss of the season to Texas Tech in a close game at Madison Square Garden, Duke still separates itself from the rest of the ACC in terms of talent and overall profile. Cameron Boozer continues to be the team’s engine, filling the stat sheet nightly and averaging 23.3 points per game. Cayden Boozer has also begun to see increased time at point guard, something worth monitoring as conference play begins. Duke will be motivated as it opens ACC play against Georgia Tech following a loss many felt was avoidable.
North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina showed signs of returning to early-season form with a strong win over Ohio State. The return of Seth Trimble from injury was felt immediately, as he added 17 points and brought much-needed scoring balance. Defensively, the Tar Heels’ youth has shown at times through late fouls and missed rotations, but with Trimble back and conference play beginning, North Carolina appears positioned for a strong ACC start.
Virginia Cavaliers
Virginia’s roster is built around transfers, freshmen, and international players, yet the chemistry has steadily improved. Wins over American and Maryland highlighted that growth, with Jacari White finding his rhythm by scoring 15 points against Maryland. Virginia also boasts one of the ACC’s deeper benches, led by Devin Tillis and Chance Mallory, who combine to average 17 points per game. With reliable depth and growing cohesion, the Cavaliers are playing their best basketball at the right time.
Miami Hurricanes
Miami’s offense has all the ingredients to thrive in ACC play. The Hurricanes are averaging 89 points per game while shooting 52.4 percent from the field. The backcourt is led by Tre Donaldson, who averages 15.2 points, 7.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, while Malik Reneau provides a steady interior scoring presence at 20.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Miami also averages 20 assists and nine steals per contest, showing its ability to pressure defensively while maintaining offensive firepower.
California Golden Bears
California remains somewhat unproven but has shown promise with a 2–1 record against Power 4 opponents, including wins over Utah and UCLA. The Golden Bears have dominated mid-major competition, a positive early sign under Mark Madsen. The emergence of Dai Dai Ames and John Camden has fueled the offense, as the duo combines for 33 points per game. With Justin Pippin anchoring the defense and Chris Bell providing additional scoring punch, California has the pieces to be a dangerous spoiler in conference play.