They’ve beaten six major opponents, and while a lot of those have been against middling or poor representatives of big-time leagues, the dominance against Wisconsin was an impressive message to send. They were expected to return to the tournament, but perhaps not to the top 10. You want to pick someone else, have at it.Ĭreighton: The Blue Jays have ranked among the biggest surprises of the preconference season, in any league. And they’re undefeated now, coming off an NCAA championship, with a road victory on the books at Big Ten contender Purdue. Villanova: The Wildcats have been in this version of this league for three seasons, and they’ve won 89 percent of their games. Projected player of the year: Josh Hart, Villanova. State: Yep, same here, except the Pack have a lottery-pick point guard in Dennis Smith. If they’re going to get nine or 10 teams into the tournament, teams such as the Hurricanes - who own zero high-level non-league victories - are going to have to damage the elite. Miami: Here’s where things get tricky for the ACC.
They won’t remain a secret when they start beating people in ACC play, though. His team is tough, resilient and relatively anonymous. Virginia Tech: Buzz Williams has done nothing to surprise anyone in his third season with the Hokies. Pitt: Is it the Panthers’ loss to Duquesne that was the anomaly in their season, or was it the stunning performance at Maryland in victory? They get a nice package of back-to-back home games - against Virginia and Notre Dame - to answer that question. They just don’t defend well enough to win all of them.Ĭlemson: The Tigers’ victory over South Carolina gave them a seven-game winning streak and the marquee non-league win they needed to enter ACC play with confidence. Notre Dame: With their offense, they can win every game they play. They might not be a threat to win the league, but it would be no surprise if they had an impact on the outcome. But the Seminoles have not messed around against middle-division opponents from other conferences, either, and they are enormously talented. But the Cavs are too good at what they do - no one yet has scored 62 points against them - to believe first place is out of their reach.įlorida State: Through a dozen games, it is possible FSU defeated only one other NCAA Tournament team. Virginia: The inability to make the whole Austin Nichols thing happen probably cost UVa a clear shot at still another league title. They need one or two players to establish themselves as dangerous, comfortable scorers - Donovan Mitchell and Deng Adel are the logical candidates - but they will be difficult to beat regardless. 1 in defensive efficiency confirms what our eyes tell us: This is the most advanced defensive team. He’s had double-figure shot attempts in every game but two. The gradual emergence of forward Justin Jackson as a willing first-option was the most important component of UNC’s pre-conference performance. North Carolina: The Tar Heels actually are the best choice to win the league, because they have an elite team and a reasonable schedule. If the Devils don’t win the ACC, it’ll be less shocking than it might have been two months ago.
There are three other ACC teams in the top 10 of the KenPom ratings, and Duke gets one home game against them and three on the road. As well, the Devils have the most difficult ACC schedule by at least one measure. And given that an NCAA championship is possible, that’s still the priority going through league play. But they didn’t necessarily find their best lineup.
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Duke figured out how to win in pre-conference games without the freshmen, and with Allen playing less than his best because of an injury. But the hurdles are significant, and go beyond the injuries and absences. He’s been the one thing Duke can count on.ĭuke: The Blue Devils still have clearly the most talent, and the best coach, and so it stands to reason they will overcome the obstacles they’ve faced and win the regular-season title. And he rebounds, and he passes, and he gets by well enough on D.
He scores from long range, mid-range, at the rim. Projected player of the year: Luke Kennard, Duke. With all of the uncertainty that has plagued Duke’s loaded 2016-17 roster - from the injuries that limited top recruits Harry Giles, Marques Bolden and Jayson Tatum to the indefinite suspension of reigning All-American Grayson Allen - the one constant has been Kennard’s impressive ability to score.