Three Most Valuable Players:
1. Anthony Barber, North Carolina State
Barber was far and away, the most valuable player in the ACC during the regular season. The 6-2 junior averaged 23.3 points, 4.5 assists per game. Despite all his efforts, Barber could not lead NC State to an NCAA tournament bid, as the team finished with a 16-17 record.
2. Grayson Allen, Duke
Duke’s leading scorer provided experience for a young Duke team throughout the year. The sophomore finished second in the conference in scoring (21.6 ppg), fifth in 3-point field goal percentage, sixth in overall free throw percentage, and seventh in steals. Once Amile Jefferson was sidelined for the year with an injury, Allen stepped up and carried his team to an 11-7 record in ACC play, and 23-10 overall.
3. Zach Auguste, Notre Dame
The Notre Dame senior built on a productive junior year, and put together an all-around tremendous punctuation mark on his career. Auguste averaged 14.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1 block per game. The 6-10 center also led his team in field goal percentage, shooting 55% from the floor.
Biggest Surprise: Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech was voted fourteenth in the ACC coach’s preseason poll. All they did was go 10-8 and finish seventh in the conference. They also went 19-14 overall and earning a bid to the NIT. Head coach Buzz Williams has built a solid foundation for this Hokie program.
Biggest Disappointment: Franklin Howard, Syracuse
Franklin Howard entered the preseason surrounded by hype as a four-star recruit out of Maryland. Howard chose Syracuse over the in-state power Terrapins and perennial contender Virginia. Once this season began, Howard found himself buried behind Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney in the rotation. Howard only earned 10 minutes of playing time per game and averaged a paltry 1.6 points per contest.
Biggest Controversy: Louisville Basketball
If you haven’t heard the allegations against Louisville basketball, you most likely do not own any electronic devices. Head coach Rick Pitino is under fire for a former assistant allegedly purchasing strippers and prostitutes for recruiting visits. Five former players and recruits all came forward in October, telling ESPN’s Outside the Lines that they attended the parties. According to other reports, Andre McGee, the staff member who is the supposed organizer of these parties, gave all members of the team and recruits between $200 and $500 for the dancers.
Best Short Video:
Donovan Mitchell’s nasty putback dunk!
