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ACC Weekly Roundup (January 16th)

Cody Goggin

The Top 5

  1. North Carolina: 16-3 (4-1)

Despite a random stinker against Georgia Tech, I believe UNC is the team to beat in the ACC right now (until Duke gets going at least). The Heels were able to pull out a huge victory on Saturday afternoon against the 9th ranked Florida State Seminoles. UNC is about to hit a five game stretch of Syracuse, Boston College ,Virginia Tech, Miami, and Pittsburgh, so I expect more wins to be in their future.

 

  1. Notre Dame: 16-2 (5-0)

While winning on the road at Miami and Virginia Tech did not seem sexy this week, both of these teams could be ranked by the end of the season. No ACC team won a single game in Miami last season. The Irish may not have a star player and haven’t faced the toughest conference schedule yet, but they should be in the conversation for an ACC title. This week the Irish will play at Florida State and at home against Syracuse.

 

  1. Louisville: 15-3 (3-2)

The Cardinals impressed us all with a nine-point victory against Duke this weekend. What they may sometimes lack on offense, they make up for with their suffocating matchup zone defense. This week Pitino and his Cardinals have a home meeting with Clemson and a road matchup with Florida State to look forward to.

 

  1. Florida State: 16-2 (4-1)

Wins against Virginia, VT, and Duke have been huge in boosting the Seminoles onto the national scene in hoops for a change. Leonard Hamilton had this team firing on all cylinders until they ran into the wall that is the North Carolina Tar Heels. This team has been getting great play from Jonathan Isaac and Dwayne Bacon, who may be future draft prospects. If FSU can make it through Notre Dame and Louisville this week unscathed, look for them to vault up these rankings and into the national conversation.

 

  1. Virginia: 13-3 (3-2)

Sorry to Duke for their omission here, but at this point in the season, Virginia is a more certain thing and has performed better to begin ACC play. Right now Virginia sits two games back of the league lead but they always have a chance to get back in the hunt with their stellar defense. Their only game last week was an underwhelming, albeit impressive four-point victory at Clemson. They should have two wins to look forward to this week at Boston College and at home against Georgia Tech.

Team of the Week- Notre Dame

As I mentioned above, Notre Dame did well to cement themselves atop the ACC. Mike Brey has his team playing right now, despite not having a household name on the team. That may change by the end of the season as Bonzie Colson is averaging 15.8 PPG and 10.9 boards per game to lead the team in both categories. The Irish will have tough times ahead, but may shine leading up to the tournament.

Performance of the Week- Jamel Artis, Pittsburgh (43 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists vs. Louisville)

Play of the Week: Jonathan Isaac block on Jayson Tatum

Upcoming Game of the Week: Notre Dame at Florida State, Wednesday

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