Player of the Week
Norchad Omier, (Miami)
After being a large part of the success Miami had last year, Omier returned back to Coral Gables with more to prove. He suffered an injury late in the season missing some time, and wasn’t the same player during the postseason. The Hurricanes ultimately fell short in the Final Four game, but Omier and company are out on a revenge tour. The junior has been on a tear as of late to enhance the impact that he makes for his squad. The Bluefields, Nicaraagua, native has been averaging 18.1 points and 9.7 rebound per game along with shooting 64%, which is good for No. 6 in the country. The past two outings he has posted statlines of 33 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals along with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.
Who’s Hot
Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes started off the season ranked and for good reason. They returned three crucial pieces from a season ago in Norchad Omier, Wooga Poplar and Nijel Pack. After staring off relatively slow and hitting some inconsistencies, the Canes have quietly crept up the standings in the ACC. The squad boasts a 14-6 record including a dominant showing at home with a 10-2 tally. The unit is riding a two-game win streak following a 72-68 victory over Pitt and a 73-61 win over Notre Dame.
Harrison Ingram (North Carolina)
In his first season playing for UNC, Ingram has been a huge addition for the Tar Heels. After transferring from Stanford, the former five-star has slotted into the starting lineup and has fit right into the Chapel Hill culture. He has been averaging 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game playing a large role for the No. 3 team in the country. In his last two games, he has posted consecutive double-doubles with 14 rebounds and 10 points as well as 17 rebounds and 13 points.The forward has posted double-digit rebounds in five of his last six games.
Who’s Not
NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack have not been playing its best basketball as of late. The squad nets a 13-7 record, which is a respectable tally except it nets them a middle to bottom of the pack ranking in the conference. NC State has thrived at home boasting a 9-2 record, but ACC play hasn’t brought the same dominant winning fashion, as away games and conference matchups have brought struggles as it has garnered a 3-3 and 5-4 result in those fields. Not playing its best ball has been a recent showing, as the team has lost its last three contests.
Quinten Post (Boston College)
Post has been the backbone of a sneaky good and talented Boston College team. The Eagles have been a surprise team in the ACC this year and have been constantly hovering around the top few spots or so in the conference rankings. Post is a very promising big man. The senior has been averaging 16.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, and has been a phenomenal contributor for the Eagles. The 7-footer hasn’t lived up to his typical performance in the last two games. Against Syracuse, he totaled just 9 points and tied his season-high in turnovers dating back to when BC played Syracuse the first time around. Additionally, in a clash with Notre Dame, he was under his season average in both points and rebounds with 10 and 4.
Top 5 teams heading into February
1. North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels are rolling and are the No. 3 team in the country for a reason. Currently 17-4 and just having a 10-game winning streak snapped, and headlined by RJ Davis, Armando Bacot and Harrison Ingram UNC is a tough team to beat.
2. Duke Blue Devils
Duke is finally beginning to click and is looking hard to stop. Mixed with seasoned veterans and NBA talent, the group of Kyle Filipowski, Jared McCain, Mark Mitchell and Tyrese Proctor the Blue Devils will be a scary sight come March.
3. Virginia Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are destined to avenge their heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss to Furman from March Madness a season ago. In typical Virginia fashion, the gritty defense and slow offense is paying dividends with Reece Beekman leading the way.
4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
The Demon Deacons sit fourth in the conference, but are no joke and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Headlined by Gonzaga transfer Hunter Sallis, the team from Winston Salem is turning heads.
5. Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes are back on track and have found their footing. Led by a trio of returners from last year’s Final Four team in Norchad Omier, Wooga Poplar and Nijel Pack — Miami has the experience to go far come postseason.