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ACC Basketball: Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett lead Player of the Year race

By Bryan Mauro

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 27: Teammates RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils talk during their game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 27: Teammates RJ Barrett #5 and Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils talk during their game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Cameron Indoor Stadium on November 27, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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3. Luke Maye – North Carolina

When North Carolina made their run through the NCAA Tournament, which eventually led to a win in the title game against Gonzaga. An unlikely hero stepped up and helped facilitate the run. Luke Maye was the player and since that tournament run Maye has been one of the best big men in the entire country. Coach Roy Williams has been calling on the senior to lead his team and lead the offensive attack for a good Tar Heel team.

A season ago, Maye finished with averages of 16 points and 10 rebounds for the season. It was much needed as he was helping fill the void left by early NBA entry from former Tar Heel Tony Bradley. Maye finished the year as a third team all American and took home the award for the ACC most improved player. Entering this season coach Williams had high expectations for his senior big man. As the Tarheels enter conference play the big man has been having a down season by his standard. For North Carolina to reach their full potential they are going to need to have Maye become the player he has shown he is capable of being.

It isn’t like Maye is experiencing a huge drop off he is still currently averaging a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Maye who used to be efficient has not been as efficient to start the season, and he has struggled at times in the game to make the adjustments needed to fully dominate. The expectations were for Maye to take the next step and dominate from the tip, which he is capable of. Maye will get back to be his normal dominant self, either way he is one of the best players in the entire league and is going to be on this countdown and in the conversation for ACC Player of the Year all season long.