Player of the Week
Cooper Flagg, Duke
Flagg’s historic 42 point, 7 assist, 6 rebound, and 1 steal game in Duke’s win against the Irish is the stuff of legend. 27 second half points and if that wasn’t enough, he led the team in assists with 7! Flagg is quickly putting himself in National Player of the year conversations. He appears to be figuring out this scoring and shooting thing which was proving to be challenging to him earlier in the year. Against Pittsburgh, he put up a double double consisting of 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal. He was all over the floor on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. The conversation is quickly turning to whether Duke can win it all and just which players an NBA team with the top pick might consider giving Flagg (on a rookie contract) up for. The list is shrinking. He is distancing himself as the best player in college hoops and the 2025 NBA Draft.
Who’s Hot
RJ Davis, North Carolina
Davis has been one of the more consistent Tar Heels this season. He is averaging 17.8 points per game and is the leader of this team. He has been one of the best offensive players in the ACC and that continued this week. The graduate student put up 26 points and 2 steals against SMU and ended the week with 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists against North Carolina State. Davis is expected to get taken in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Tae Davis, Notre Dame
Davis is having his best season of his collegiate career. He’s averaging 16.7 points per game and 5.2 rebounds per game so far this season. Against Duke he put up 11 points and 4 rebounds but he showed up in the squad’s second game of the week. Against Boston College he put up 26 points and 2 assists in the Irish’s win. He is projected to be a second round pick next season.
Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals have been on a tear as of late. The squad has won six games including wins against North Carolina, Pittsburgh and Clemson. The red and black have risen all the way up to third in the conference and are making noise at the right time. Louisville could make a deep run in March if it continues to play at this level.
Who’s Cold
Miami Hurricanes
After coming into the season with high expectations the Hurricanes season has been a mess. They are the worst team in the ACC with a record of 4-12 and are on a five game losing streak. Their head coach resigned midseason and it really seems like a lost season for the green and orange. Things do not seem to be turning around for Miami even after the high praise it received last season.
Jamir Watkins, Florida State
Watkins is having a tremendous season so far but he had arguably the worst week of the season last week. In the squad’s two games last week Watkins put up 10 points against Miami and 11 points against Clemson which are his second and third lowest scoring totals this season. He is still averaging 18.2 points per game but will need to shake off his last two performances to get back to the caliber he played at for the majority of this season. He is a projected second round pick and could build his draft stock if he gets back to the elite level he played at for most of the year.
Top 5 ACC Road Teams
1. Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils are currently on an 11 game win streak and are undefeated on the road. Duke is 4-0 when it’s the visiting team and is the best away team in the ACC. The conference hasn’t played many away games but this is a big reason why they are the best team in the ACC right now.
2. Louisville Cardinals
The Cardinals are one of the hottest teams in college basketball right now. They are currently on a seven game win streak and are moving their way up into the top of the conference. They are 4-1 on the road and it has been a big reason why they have found success.
3. North Carolina Tar Heels
The Tar Heels have had a disappointing season based on what the predictions were but they have been able to find some success on the road. The squad is 3-2 on the road and if they can continue to find success on the road they could turn their season around.
4. Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinal have had an up and down season but have been a solid road team in the conference. They are 2-2 which puts them in the top five for teams when they play on the road in the conference. The ACC is pretty weak as a whole as the visitors so if they can continue to play at this pace they should be able to have a fine season.
5. Pittsburgh Panthers
Pitt has really cooled off from the hot start it had at the beginning of the season. They are 2-2 on the road this season and have to improve as the visiting team if the squad wants to get back to the level it was playing at the beginning of the season.