ACC Team by Team Preview

ACC play has already started for some team and will kick off for all teams in the coming days. Let’s get a quick breakdown of where the ACC stands by giving a little background on each teams’ season to this point.

Duke | #5 | 12-1 | RPI 11

Duke has a blend of talent and experience which is why they have been pegged as the team to beat this season. The Kansas Jayhawks are the lone blemish on the season from a record standpoint. Even with their talent, they are not without fault. Grayson Allen has caused another distraction due to tripping an Elon player. Duke also does not have a true point guard. Luke Kennard has had quite the sophomore season effortlessly averaging 20.4 PPG while shooting 52% from the field. Duke will be right at the top at the close of the ACC season.

UNC | #9 | 12-2 | RPI 13

Roy Williams has UNC playing at a breakneck speed as they are averaging 90 PPG while shooting 48% from the field. Justin Jackson and Joel Berry leads the Tarheels in PPG as each is having an excellent start to the season. Carolina has only lost to Indiana and Kentucky. UNC is thin at the guard position this season as Theo Pinson is injured and freshman Seventh Woods has not fully recovered from his knee injury. Williams group is top heavy with plenty of experience and will be a tough team to beat.

UVA | #12 | 11-1 | RPI 15

Tony Bennett’s squad came away with a huge road win in their first ACC game as they beat Louisville. Defense is where the Cavs will hang their hats once again as they do not have one player averaging double figures in points per game. It will be offense by a committee as London Perrantes leads the charge at 9.9 PPG. The Cavs are allowing opponents to score just 47.7 PPG while shooting 34% from the field. Their stellar defense will keep them in every game giving them the chance to finish high in the ACC.

Louisville | #6 | 11-2 | RPI 3

The Cards have played one of the toughest schedules in the NCAA to this point and that will help them in the ACC. They lost their opening game to a defensive juggernaut falling to UVA. The two losses on the season have come at the hands of Baylor and UVA. Rick Pitino is known for his pressing defense and this season the Cards are forcing 7 SPG to go along with 7 BPG. Quentin Snider and Donovan Mitchell lead Louisville averaging 11 PPG a piece.

FSU | #20 | 13-1 | RPI 17

The Seminoles opened ACC play with a win over Wake Forest in Tallahassee. FSU pushes the pace scoring 88.1 PPG and shoots 51% from the field. Dwayne Bacon is having an outstanding season averaging 17.4 PPG as well as shooting 47% from the field. Leonard Hamilton has a talented bunch that will look to shock the status quo in the ACC.

Notre Dame | #24 | 11-2 | RPI 50

Mike Brey’s Irish always have a dangerous offensive attack, and this season they are averaging 83.6 PPG. Leading the Irish is Bonzie Colson at 16.2 PPG with VJ Beachem on his tail at 15.6 PPG. Notre Dame loves to shoot the three ball and has shot it at a 40% clip to this point. Their two losses came at the hands of Villanova and Purdue.

Virginia Tech | 11-1 | RPI 65

Buzz Williams’ hard work is paying off as the Hokies one loss was to Texas A&M. Zach LeDay leads the Hokies at 16.5 PPG. Virginia Tech also has registered a plus 16.3 in scoring margin.

Pittsburgh | 11-2 | RPI 28

Michael Young and Jamel Artis combined scoring average on the season is 43.6. That gives Pittsburgh a deadly duo. The seniors make the Panthers a tough out each night!

Clemson | 10-2 | RPI 43

Clemson has won eight in a row and look to be firing on all cylinders. Jaron Blossomgame returned to the Tigers and is having a great season averaging 17.6 PPG and 6 RPG. They beat a talented South Carolina team on the road on the 21st of December.

Miami | 10-2 | RPI 69

The Canes lost a lot of production from last year’s team losing Angel Rodriguez, Sheldon McClellan, and Tony Jekeri. Coach Larranaga has needed JaQuan Newton to grow up quickly and he has. Newton is averaging 15.3 PPG. Miami has talent and is well-coached.

GT | 8-4 | RPI 187

Georgia Tech has struggled this season as they are only averaging 68.1 PPG and are giving up 65 PPG. Their four losses came at the hands of Ohio, Penn St, Tennessee, and Georgia.

Syracuse | 8-5 | RPI 193

Jim Boeheim has not had the ideal start to the season; however, they did not last year either. Last year’s team lost 14 games only to rattle off four wins in the NCAA Tournament. This group will improve as the season progresses.

Wake | 9-4 | RPI 18

Wake Forest has played a tough schedule that Danny Manning is hoping will prepare the Deacons for ACC play. John Collins and Bryant Crawford lead them in scoring at 16.1 and 14.4 PPG. As a team, they are averaging 82.1 PPG and shooting 48% from the field. They lost their first ACC game aginst FSU 88-72.

BC | 7-6 | RPI 207

Another rebuilding year for the Eagles; however, Jerome Robinson has been a bright spot averaging 20.5 PPG. The sophomore out of Raleigh gives Boston College a viable weapon.