Ok, it's top ten time. There may have been controversy so far, but this is how it has laid out. It is really hard to this, especially this top ten, because every player is improving or losing ground each night. Reminder: this is who I feel are the best players in the ACC, and it does not necessarily mean where they will land on the all-conference team. For instance Seth Curry was 18 and Lorenzo Brown 19 but I think both have a shot at an all-conference team bid. Anyways, a quick recap:
11. CJ Leslie, NC State
12. CJ Harris, Wake Forest
13. Reggie Johnson, Miami
14. Kenny Kadji, Miami
15. Erick Green, Virginia Tech
16. Andre Young, Clemson
17. Durand Scott, Miami
18. Seth Curry, Duke
19. Lorenzo Brown, NC State
20. Glen Rice, Jr., Georgia Tech
21. Dexter Strickland, North Carolina
22. Travis McKie, Wake Forest
23. Scott Wood, NC State
24. Joe Harris, Virginia
25. CJ Williams, NC State
26. Devin Booker, Clemson
27. Dorenzo Hudson, Virginia Tech
28. Sean Mosley, Maryland
29. Richard Howell, NC State
30. Ryan Kelly, Duke
31. Matt Humphrey, Boston College
32. Malcolm Grant, Miami
33. Milton Jennings, Clemson
34. Jontel Evans, Virginia
35. Mfon Udofia, Georgia Tech
36. Andre Dawkins, Duke
37. Reggie Bullock, North Carolina
38. Tony Chennault, Wake Forest
39. Ryan Anderson, Boston College
40. Sammy Zeglinski, Virginia
And here is the first half of your top ten....
10. Bernard James, Florida State- James is the oldest player in the ACC (just turned 27) and shows it with his maturity. James is in only his second season with Florida State after a stint overseas serving in the military. He averages nearly a double double (10.4 ppg, 8.2 rpg) but his presence is felt most on the defensive end (2.3 bpg). The 6-10, 240 pound senior is shooting a stifling 60.7% from the field while bullying up on ACC big men. The main knock against James, who certainly has an NBA body, is his age. The forward's story is a great one, and one that should be told after he gets drafted this June.
9. Mason Plumlee, Duke- Plumlee has continued to improve his game during his three year career. Coming in as a top ten recruit in 2009 there was a lot of pressure on the big man. He has quietly raised his game to be one of the top big men in the country. His numbers (11.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg) don't lie and his athleticism is unquestioned. One of the top pro prospects in the conference, the Junior has also continued to assert himself on the defensive end (1.7 bpg). With work on his free throws (48.6%) he could come back as the most dominant big man the Blue Devils have had since Shelden Williams in 2006.
8. Terrell Stoglin, Maryland- Stoglin is an unquestioned scorer, leading the conference with 21.3 ppg. The questions for Stoglin are his defense and a recently raised point by coach Mark Turgeon on his selfishness, claiming Stoglin "gets his". Leadership qualities are clearly not there yet for the sophomore, and one has to believe that will come with time. Stoglin is only 6-1, and his size may lead to improvement with ball handling and distributing this offseason. If he becomes a point guard as well as a scorer, the leadership and teammate characteristics will make Stoglin a serious threat next season.
7. John Henson, North Carolina- The North Carolina foursome is hard to figure out. Henson along with teammates Kendall Marshall, Harrison Barnes, and Tyler Zeller are all sure to be first round draft picks and have put a stamp on the ACC this year. So, I decided to look at who the Tar Heels could afford to lose most, and was left with Henson. The Junior started off his career as a defensive stopper, now ranking second in school history with 263 blocks. But the improvement for the 6-11, 220 pound forward have come on the offensive end, where he loves going left on the block but puts up jump shots with his right. He still leads the conference in blocks (3.1) but now is putting in his offensive numbers (14 ppg, 10.4 rpg). Henson should be named ACC defensive player of the year this season.
6. Austin Rivers, Duke- Coming into a school that just saw maybe the most talented freshman since Kevin Durant in Kyrie Irving is a lot of pressure. Add to it that you come in as a number one overall recruit and you should be overwhelmed. Rivers has done a good job of staying focused and will become the first Duke freshman to lead the team in scoring (15 ppg) since Johnny Dawkins in 1983. What Rivers has improved on is his distribution and outside shot. We have learned that he is not afraid to take the big shot (late threes against North Carolina and NC State) and he is ready to be a leader. Coach K claims "he is not a freshman anymore" and it shows on the court. Maybe the quickest crossover in the conference, Rivers could be player of the year if he sticks around another season.
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