Player of the Week:
Armando Bacot, C, North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels needed a bounce-back week in a big way after Duke humiliated them last Saturday, and they got just that thanks to their stellar big man. The junior center led his team to victories over Clemson and Florida State to remain in the projected NCAA Tournament field and he did so with a pair of dominant double-doubles.
These performances lifted Bacot’s season averages to 16 points and 12 rebounds, which has him firmly in the running for ACC Player of the Year. There aren’t many big men playing better than UNC’s superstar and I really hope we can see him run it back with Oscar Tshiebwe this postseason.
Who’s Hot?
Justyn Mutts, SF, Virginia Tech Hokies
I recently wrote about how Mutts is the most underrated forward in the conference, but I’m starting to think he’s one of the most underrated players in the nation. All he did this weekend was put together a triple-double on 50% shooting to lead his Hokies past Syracuse and bolster a resume that is starting to climb onto the bubble.
The Hokies are now winners of five straight with a pair of home games this week against ACC foes on the bubble. An undefeated week will put them in position to make a run at an at-large bid and recover from an 0-4 start to conference play when it seemed like all hope was lost for their season. Now, thanks partially to Mutts, an opportunity to go dancing in mid-March seems more like a reality than a fantasy.
Virginia Cavaliers
This season didn’t feel right without Tony Bennett and the Cavs competing in the ACC. Well, here they are. Four straight wins, including a buzzer-beater to defeat Duke at Cameron Indoor, have Virginia back on the bubble with plenty of opportunities to prove they deserve an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a team they aren’t too familiar being: the underdog. This mentality makes the Cavs as dangerous as anyone, and we saw that on full display Monday night in Durham.
Who’s Not?
Terquavion Smith, PG/SG, NC State Wolfpack
I recently wrote about Smith’s emergence as a star for the Wolfpack, but he had a forgettable week, to say the least. The true freshman was developing as one of the best shooters in the conference, but a 5-28 slump over the last two games, including a dismal 4-18 stretch from the perimeter, is subject to extreme criticism.
Still, the Wolfpack should be focused on building his confidence back and preparing to formulate a roster centered around their young star if they are lucky enough to keep him in Raleigh next season.
Florida State Seminoles
It looked like Leonard Hamilton was starting to figure things out in Tallahassee, but injuries and disappointing performances have led to six straight losses to virtually end any chances at making the NCAA Tournament. Caleb Mills was the latest Seminole to go down injured and if he is out for an extended period, this team will struggle to even finish above .500.
North Carolina dropped 62 points on the ‘Noles in the first half and mercifully let up and only scored 94 in a 20-point drubbing in Chapel Hill.
Freshman of the Week:
Trevor Keels, PG/SG, #8 Duke Blue Devils
Since returning from a nasty ankle injury against Florida State, the true freshman guard is coming off the bench for the Blue Devils and flourishing in his new role. Keels averaged 16 points in three games this week and led the team with 25 as they dismantled Clemson on their home floor.
Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin are playing like lottery picks, but people forget it was Keels who looked the best on opening night. If he finds that form again, like he did this week, Coach K might get a magical ending to his legendary career.
Top 5 Surprises of the ACC Season
5. NC State at the bottom of the standings
You’d think that the Wolfpack are fighting for a seven or eight seed with Seabron and Smith giving them 33 points per game, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. Kevin Keats and his team are dead last in the ACC despite having two unexpected stars and a lot of this can be attributed to the loss of Manny Bates early in the season. Expect this team to be back in the running next season with a ton of pieces to build around if they can get their guys to stay put for another year.
4. The fall of FSU
We’ve come to think of the Seminoles as a consistent favorite to win the conference crown, but six straight losses have them in the bottom half of the standings. Injuries are a critical reason why, but nobody expected this team to be on the bubble, nonetheless eliminated from at-large contention by early February.
3. Blake Wesley?
Of all the freshmen coming into the ACC this season, Wesley was one of the last on lists to breakout as a star in his debut season. As an unheralded recruit heading to a team with a polished and experienced backcourt, many questioned if Wesley would even get meaningful minutes, nevertheless shine in these minutes.
2. Alondes Williams and Wake Forest
Another player who wasn’t expected to play as well as he has is Alondes Williams for the Demon Deacons. In fact, they were expected to finish 13th in the league before the season. Steve Forbes is performing wonders in Winston-Salem, and they are poised to reach the NCAA Tournament for just the third time in 12 years.
1. Firing of Chris Mack
When Mack was hired to lead the Louisville program, it was seen as a slam dunk hire by the Cardinals. He led the Musketeers to a 1-seed in his final season and was expected to consistently replicate this at a powerhouse program. Instead, he finished outside of the final AP Poll in three of his four seasons and got fired abruptly in the middle of the season that started with a suspension for violations of university guidelines.