Chip Bremer
We’re more than halfway through the conference schedule, and most ACC men’s basketball teams are still trying to figure out how to play in a manner that isn’t painful to watch. Or at least, that’s what it feels like. Outside of a handful of teams, the conference has struggled through one of the ugliest seasons in recent memory. The disaster of the ACC-SEC Challenge back in December was a harbinger of things to come, and the question remains whether the conference can field any more than four teams for the Big Dance. For now, here’s the good, the bad and the ugly of this
year’s midterm grades:
The Good
Duke A-
The Blue Devils continue to show out as the ACC’s most consistent team, and they likely will be the conference’s highest seeded team in the NCAA Tournament. The only hiccup might be their overreliance on Cooper Flagg, especially when closing out close games.
Clemson A
It may not be Brad Brownell’s most talented team, but few can argue that this one has accomplished what few would’ve expected. If the Tigers maintain this trajectory, and Viktor Lakhin continues to complement the guard play of Chase Hunter, they might finally break that Final Four barrier.
Louisville A-
Pat Kelsey is the new master of the transfer portal. Who would’ve guessed someone could take an entirely new team led by guys like Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards and take them to the top of the ACC standings? They’ve had their WTH moments, but this team is one of the few bright spots this season.
Wake Forest B
The reemergence of Cameron Hildreth has significantly boosted the Deacs’ postseason outlook. Steve Forbes still has the task of keeping Hunter Sallis on point (as he has disappeared in big games), but unless something drastic happens, this team should at least make some March noise.
The Bad
Pittsburgh C-
A team that once looked like a conference contender, the Panthers have somehow slipped to the slightly mediocre tier. The All-ACC backcourt of Jayland Lowe and Ish Leggett have struggled to find their shot lately, and when they go down, so do the rest of the Panthers.
UNC D+
The Tar Heels have yet to find any sort of inside presence or, in fact, any support for when R.J. Davis has an off night (which has been more often than Hubert Davis would like). There’s still time to turn things around, but that would require a miraculous infusion of confidence.
SMU C+
Some may say the Mustangs deserve a better grade given their performance, but that performance is a result of an easy schedule. Sure, they can score against teams they should beat, but they’ll need to prove they can do it against decent teams like Clemson and Wake Forest.
Stanford C
Another team that has survived on an easier-than-average schedule, the Cardinal have shown that they aren’t much beyond center Max Raynaud. In fact, without Jaylen Blakes, they are significantly short on ball-handlers.
Florida State C-
Much like the usual story for FSU, this team has the athletes, but just not enough talent to complement Jamir Watkins. The end of the Leonard Hamilton era is proving to be nothing of consequence.
Syracuse D+
Just when you think the Orange have figured out how to take steps forward, they take several steps back. J.J. Starling is having a fine season, but when you lose to the worst team in the conference, it’s not a good look.
Georgia Tech C
The Yellow Jackets managed to string together some decent wins. Unfortunately for Damon Stoudamire, they’ve had too many bad losses to really make much of the season.
Virginia Tech C
The Hokies started about as poorly as a team could, and while they have made some progress, they haven’t shown they can do anything but beat teams on the bottom tier. If Tobi Lawal was on any other team, more people would know about him.
Virginia D+
This Cavaliers team has been struggling to find any identity since their head coach bailed early in the season. When your playing style was ugly to begin with, there isn’t much you can do to put lipstick on it.
The Ugly
California D
The Bears have been slogging through the conference schedule as most expected, and when you have to travel that far to get your butts handed to you, it doesn’t do much for the team’s confidence.
NC State D
The lack of shooting has been just atrocious for the defending ACC champs. If it wasn’t for the effort they put forth on the defensive end, this team might’ve received a failing grade.
Notre Dame D
Nobody likes to be reminded of losses to a last-place team, but until the Irish figure out how to get more from their previously hyped backcourt, that loss to Miami won’t soon be forgotten.
Boston College D
When your most significant accomplishment is a comeback win against a hapless FSU team, it might be time to re-examine the program as a whole.
Miami D
The Hurricanes have by far played the ugliest and most disappointing basketball of the season, and the only reason they didn’t receive an “F” is because they somehow managed to squeak out a couple of wins against teams that are close to giving up on the season.
