Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball Tournament: Virginia, UNC and Duke fight for the title

By Bryan Manning

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Jay Huff #30 of the Virginia Cavaliers blocks a shot by Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of a game at the Dean Smith Center on February 11, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 69-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 11: Jay Huff #30 of the Virginia Cavaliers blocks a shot by Coby White #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of a game at the Dean Smith Center on February 11, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Virginia won 69-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – FEBRUARY 13: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Virginia Tech Hokies shoots against James Banks III #1 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at Cassell Coliseum on February 13, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – FEBRUARY 13: Kerry Blackshear Jr. #24 of the Virginia Tech Hokies shoots against James Banks III #1 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at Cassell Coliseum on February 13, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images) /

Key Players

De’Andre Hunter — Virginia

Hunter can do it all. He will guard the opposition’s best player and knock down big shots on the offensive end, too. At times, Hunter carries the Hoos. His performance against Louisville showed why he has a strong argument for being named player of the year, despite his stats not matching the two freshmen from Duke.

While Guy and Jerome can also carry Virginia, Hunter is just different. If the Cavaliers stall on offense, Hunter can drive it to the hoop and get to the line, or he can stop and drill the mid-range jumper.

Zion Williamson — Duke

We still don’t know for certain he is going to play. Coach K’s words indicate he will play which makes it much more likely. If Williamson plays, will he show any signs of rust? Or, should Duke rest him until the NCAA Tournament? Look, if Williamson is ready to play and wants to play, he should be on the floor. And when he is on the floor, he is the best player in the country. He is capable of taking over games and if Duke gets to the final, he could be the MVP of the tournament.

Coby White — North Carolina

This was a toss-up between White or Luke Maye. We’ve seen Maye be a postseason hero on more than one occasion and he could be that guy again. But is there any freshman in the country playing at a higher level than Coby White right now? It’s no coincidence that since he has become more assertive on offense, this team has played at a much higher level.

While he may not be quite the distributor that Berry was, White is a potentially elite scorer at the college level and those types of players can carry a team on their back. White is a phenomenal talent and he is in store a big March.

Kerry Blackshear, Jr. — Virginia Tech

The best post player in the ACC and I am not sure it is even close. Blackshear is a nice story. He is a blue-collar guy with a high basketball IQ who does nothing but get better each season. When Justin Robinson went down in January, most expected the Hokies to fall by the wayside. Blackshear would have none of it.

Blackshear took over games by himself and willed the Hokies to a strong finish. He is the most improved player in the ACC and if he can stay out of foul trouble, he can take the Hokies on a deep run in the ACC Tournament. Remember, the Hokies defeated Duke but were swept by UVa and lost to UNC and FSU, although the Hokies took the ‘Noles to overtime.

Blackshear is a fun player to watch and if the Hokies get to the final, he will be the reason why.