ACC basketball: Are the top teams contenders or pretenders?
By John Ryan
North Carolina Tar Heels: 20-7 (9-5)
Being the reigning champions, this roster is as experienced as it gets when it come to big games. Luke Maye is one of the best players in the country and getting Joel Berry ll back from injury has, as expected, made them a much better basketball team.
Now winners of four in a row, North Carolina is starting to click at the perfect time. After a rough stretch during the beginning of conference play, this group is looking like the threat everyone expected them to be.
While North Carolina might not be the most talented group, they are a proven group with an excellent head coach. Repeating as champions is tough, and while I do not expect them to do it, it’s tough to count them out. Expect another long tournament run from Maye and the Tar Heels.
Verdict: Contenders
Miami Hurricanes: 18-6 (7-5)
Losing a guard like Bruce Brown is going to hurt. He is an excellent perimeter defender who often served as Miami’s vocal leader. However, Brown’s absence due to a broken left foot has left Lonnie Walker, their talented freshman guard, with no choice but to shoulder a bigger offensive load. Walker’s play as of late has been encouraging and his development makes Miami a very dangerous team.
Miami is on the bubble and could still realistically be on the outside looking in come tournament time. However, if they can play well enough down the stretch to secure a bid, they will prove to be a tough challenge for whatever high seed draws them. Miami is a talented defensive team and the possibility of getting Brown back for tournament time could make things interesting.
They are not a threat to win it all, but do not overlook Miami as a possible sweet 16 threat.