ACC B-Ball Preview, Pt. 3: Bottom Three
Posted by Brandon Rink on October 29, 2010 under ACC Basketball | 
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Reggie Jackson and the Eagles have a number of veterans back, but is it enough to make a run?
Breaking down the ‘Hoos, Eagles, and Deacs today.
Previews so far…
4-6 – NC State, Florida State, and Miami
7-9 - North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and Clemson
Potential: First round
Actual: NIT
Strengths: A lot of turnover from a 5-11 team, solid pieces in post and at guard back.
Weaknesses: A lot turnover from a 5-11 team, inexperience across the board.
Make or Break Player: F Mike Scott
Grades…
Starting Backcourt – B
Jontel Evans – 5’11, 8.5 PPG/6 APG
Sammy Zeglinski – 6’0, 8.9 PPG/2.6 APG
Starting Frontcourt – B-
James Johnson – 6’9, Freshman
K.T. Harrell – 6’5, Freshman
Mike Scott – 6’8, 12 PPG/7.2 RPG
Bench – C+
Circle It: UNC, January 8 – The home ACC opener could make a huge statement if they can beat the Heels.
Final Analysis: Year one in Charlottesville had its ups and downs as their top player, Sylven Landesberg, struggled with staying eligible and ultimately left the program…Virginia struggled to a 5-11 record. More transfers ensued in the offseason, but the cupboard isn’t completely bare in ‘Hooville. Zeglinski’s out for the first few games after knee surgery so it will be up to a young group of guards to get things started for Virginia. Mike Scott down-low has to be a beast if Virginia is going to make a run all the way to the Big Dance.
Why They Could Be Higher: Scott dominates in the paint and the young guards step up.
Why They Could Be Lower: With all the turnover and the injury to Zeglinski, Virginia just never puts it all together.
- 11) Boston College Eagles
Potential: First round.
Actual: No postseason
Strengths: Experience, new offense under Donahue.
Weaknesses: Depth (7 players returning), inconsistent guard play.
Make or Break Player: G Reggie Jackson
Grades…
Starting Backcourt – B-
Reggie Jackson – 6’5, 12.9 PPG/4.5 APG
Dallas Elmore – 6’2, 3.9 PPG/0.6 APG
Starting Frontcourt – B
Joe Trapani – 6’8, 14.1 PPG/6.4 RPG
Cory Raji – 6’5,11.4 PPG/5.8 RPG
Josh Southern – 6’10, 4.4 PPG/3.2 RPG
Bench – C-
Circle It: Georgia Tech, January 8 – Simple formula to this…teams that I expect to be good – I pick games later in the season…teams that aren’t quite there get the early ones…BC can get off on the right foot with a win over the Yellow Jackets.
Final Analysis: BC has pieces, but also has one of the tougher schedules in the ACC. Trapani’s the star after a solid junior year to third team all-ACC. At guard, Reggie Jackson has shown some flashes of brilliance, but also inconsistency. Of the teams in transition, BC may have taken the biggest hit with a couple transfers and no impact recruits coming in. No question that new coach Steve Donahue brings an impressive resume that could very well bring results to BC basketball, but it will be a tough transition in 2010.
Why They Could Be Higher: Veteran team buys in and learns quickly to a couple big OOC wins and 8-8/7-9 ACC record to get on the bubble.
Why They Could Be Lower: Wake Forest edges them out in the race for last place.
- 12) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Potential: NIT.
Actual: No postseason.
Strengths: Young talent.
Weaknesses: Inexperience (one returning starter), quality size, new scheme.
Make or Break Player: F Ari Stewart
Grades…
Starting Backcourt – B
Tony Chennault – 6’1, Freshman
C.J. Harris – 6’2, 9.9/1.2 APG
Starting Frontcourt – C
Ari Stewart – 6’7, 7.3 PPG/3.2 RPG
Carson Desrosiers – 6’11, Freshman
Ty Walker – 7’0, 2.9 PPG/0.9 RPG
Bench – C
Circle It: Gonzaga, January 2 – not sure if they can beat them, but it would be an early marquee win.
Final Analysis: Top two players last season are gone to the pros – top big man coming in gone to Louisville after troubles with the law…tough offseason all-around for new coach Jeff Bzdelik. He has young talent, but they are just that, young, and with Woods’ departure, it’s all on youth in the paint. Bzdelik has a rebuilding project on his hands and I think Wake fans will understand if they aren’t making to back-to-back-to-back NCAA Tourneys.
Why They Could Be Higher: The mantra when a team doesn’t have experience is “talent” – which I’ve mentioned twice already in this preview…they have it, but it’s only enough to get them possibly out of the cellar.
Will any of these teams make a run? Let me know your thoughts…
