ACC Basketball: Midseason recap, awards, and observations
First team All-ACC
SR Joel Berry – Guard, North Carolina
2017-18 stats: 17.0 ppg 3.5 rpg 3.0 apg
He missed the first part of the season after breaking his hand in a silly accident, but has come back and led the Tar Heels as the senior leader. Berry has become a volume shooter, which sometimes leads to poor shooting nights. But based on what the teammates have been doing, I doubt Roy Williams minds.
SO Tyus Battle – Guard, Syracuse
2017-18 stats: 19.7 ppg 2.8 rpg 1.5 apg
If there was a “Most Valuable Player” award, then Battle would win it hands down. He leads the league in minutes played and has the fourth highest usage percentage. Because of how the Orange uses their depth, the sophomore has to score at least 20 points to give them a chance to win. He’s done it more often than not, while still being pretty efficient at it.
SO Kyle Guy – Guard, Virginia
2017-18 stats:15.2 ppg 2.2 rpg 1.5 apg
Full disclosure, I originally had Guy on the second team but pushed him up at the last-minute. He’s been the best player on the best team and has one of the best defensive ratings in the league. The sophomore guard also leads the ACC in made 3-pointers while shooting it at a 43% clip.
JR Luke Maye – Forward, North Carolina
2017-18 stats: 18.6 ppg 10.5 rpg 2.3 apg
The former walk-on turned Kentucky dream-killer has been a godsend, providing the Tar Heels their only inside presence. He’s dominated on the boards and is one of two players in the ACC to average a double-double.
FR Marvin Bagley – Center, Duke
2017-18 stats: 22.0 ppg 11.6 rpg 1.5 apg
Despite Duke losing to Virginia last Saturday, arguably the best player in the country had 30 points and 14 rebounds in the game. This marked an ACC-record sixth 30 and 10 game of the season. There’s not a player in the country that can guard him one-on-one.