Let’s take a look at the players who may have not had the biggest roles on their teams this year and are ready for the spotlight next season. This list is taking into account both players that are graduating and players that are possibly going to the NBA.
1. James Michael McAdoo, North Carolina- The freshman came on strong late in the season, culminating with a team high 15 points in the loss to Kansas. McAdoo has been high on almost all draft boards and is predicted as a top ten pick if he chooses to go. The thoughts of most outsiders are that he will stay, however. The loss of Tyler Zeller to graduation already opens up a starting spot for him, and if John Henson were to declare, McAdoo would become the focal point of Carolina’s inside game.
2. Ian Miller, Florida State- Miller has high hopes, and is listed as a first rounder on a lot of draft boards. If he were to return to Tallahassee, which it seems he will do, he will become the beginning and end of the Seminoles offense. He was second on the team at 11 points per game, but did it coming off the bench. A streaky outside shooter, Miller has the ability to create his own shots, and at 6-3, has the size to shoot over a lot of opposing point guards. The biggest need for improvement is his vision and passing ability. A shoot first, shoot second player, Miller needs to change his philosophy before next season.
3. Ryan Kelly, Duke- The Blue Devils are losing Miles Plumlee and possibly Mason Plumlee as well. That means there will be a humongous hole in the inside that needs to be filled. Duke redshirted younger brother Marshall Plumlee and 6-8 Alex Murphy this season. Both came in as highly touted recruits but will not be expected to step right into stardom. Kelly, who has the ability to stretch the floor unlike anyone in the conference, has to be the middleman here. Not only is he going to be counted on to defend other bigs, but also has to become a larger part of the offense.
4. Richard Howell, NC State- This is completely based on CJ Leslie deciding to go pro or not. With Leslie out, Howell will immediately become the main post player for NC State and will have to carry an extra burden, as the Wolfpack will not be deep inside. Howell’s main problem was his foul trouble, as he average a team high 3.4 fouls per game and fouled out of four key losses late in the season. No one doubts his abilities, however, as he averages near a double double a game (10.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg).
5. Jontel Evans, Virginia- Virginia is losing Mike Scott, yes, but they are also losing senior Sammy Zeglinski, perhaps their best outside threat and backup point guard. Evans was the starter at the point and has to expand his game. He proved numerous times that he is as quick, if not quicker, than anyone in the league when his drives seemed to be the focal point of the Cavaliers offense every time Scott was on the bench. Evans has a terrible outside shot, however, and although that probably will not improve tremendously, he needs to improve his vision for Virginia’s other outside shooters.
6. Pe’Shon Howard, Maryland- Howard proved he is the most valuable player on this Maryland team during his absence due to injury. ACC scoring champion Terrell Stoglin along with sensational freshman Nick Faust were thrust into the point guard position when Howard went down. Neither is a true point guard, and both struggled at times with this role. Those two, along with Alex Len and a crop of solid freshmen coming in, need someone to give them the ball. The weapons are there for Maryland, and Howard has a chance to become the top assist man in the conference.
7. Jason Morris, Georgia Tech- Perhaps the greatest leaper in the conference, Morris came on hot at the end of the season. His game seemed to take on a new level after the suspension of Glen Rice, Jr. and he proved himself on both end of the court. Morris is going to be counted on as not only the top swing player on this team, but along with Mfon Udofia, the leader of the offense. The sophomore needs to improve his shot and has the ability to become a shut down defender.
8. Cadarian Raines, Virginia Tech- Raines (6-9, 240) is maybe the only player on the Virginia Tech roster who has the size to battle other teams on the inside. He came on late, including averaging over 13 points and 6 boards during a three game stretch against top teams in February. Raines, and Dorian Finney-Smith, who prefers to play from the outside, will be the centerpieces at the big positions and may prove to be the key to the Hokies success.
9. Jordan Daniels, Boston College- The Eagles future centers on Ryan Anderson, the second best freshman in the conference this season. The team started four freshman, including Daniels, and their junior leader, Matt Humphrey. Daniels continued to improve as the season went along and is one of the quicker players in the conference. He is clearly a pass first player and with improvements to the rest of the roster he should be able to improve upon his 2.6 assists per game.
10. TJ Sapp, Clemson- Sapp had a mediocre year, with poor per game averages (3.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg). With the departures of Andre Young and Tanner Smith in the backcourt, Sapp is pushed into a starting role. The freshman showed his quickness and athleticism, but has failed to show off any scoring or passing prowess. He has quick hands (22 steals) and seems to fit coach Brad Brownell’s system of going hard every play, but a huge improvement is needed for the young fella to step in and be a leader of this team.
11. Trey McKinney Jones, Miami- The Hurricanes starting lineup was pretty set in stone by the end of the year and Jones may have been the first one left off of it. But with the departure of Malcolm Grant, Jones could be thrust into a starting role. The junior showed his ability score from outside or on the drive and had a big role on the boards for Miami as well. Jones gives Miami an option as a swing player and another player for freshman Shane Larkin to feed off of drives.
12. Chase Fischer, Wake Forest- Wake goes into the offseason with perhaps more questions than any team in the conference. Fischer could help answer those with a tremendous offseason. A shooting guard by nature, Fischer needs to work on his passing and defense and develop into a point guard. CJ Harris will be the starter and centerpiece for the offense from the two guard spot and Travis McKie is the only other definite part of this team, from his power forward position. Tony Chennault was most certainly going to be the starter at point guard for this team, but decided to transfer. Now Fischer, who showed his scoring ability against Miami and Boston College, has the ability to feed these players the ball, and start the offense for the Deacons.
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