ACC Basketball: 5 biggest questions for rest of 2019-20 season

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: Javin DeLaurier #12 and Wendell Moore Jr. #0 celebrate with Alex O'Connell #15 of the Duke Blue Devils after his dunk in the second half of their game against the California Golden Bears at Madison Square Garden on November 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – DECEMBER 14: Jordan Nwora #30 of the Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. Louisville or the field for the ACC regular-season title?

Adler

I can see that we’re starting this discussion off with a fun, yet tough, question! I’ve been high on the Cardinals for months now, and it won’t surprise me in the least if Louisville captures the ACC regular-season crown, based on the Cardinals having All-American candidate Jordan Nwora and a bunch of other veterans on their roster. However, I think I’m going to go with the field at this juncture, and that’s mainly because of Duke. The Blue Devils have gotten on a bit of a roll since that shocking home loss to Stephen F. Austin, and I foresee Duke and Louisville battling it out for league supremacy.

Moreover, despite two bad losses to date, I wouldn’t completely count out Virginia, the defending national champions. Florida State could emerge as a legitimate threat. I still like the Cardinals to end up No. 1 in the conference, but if I’m a betting man, I’ll take the 14 other ACC crews, simply due to the fact that this league has a ton of parity in the current campaign.

Walton

I’m taking the field here. Louisville is an excellent team, either the best or second-best in the ACC depending on how you look at it. But their loss to Texas Tech exposed how frail their offense is if you focus heavy attention in shutting down Jordan Nwora, who scored 14 points on 4-for-16 shooting in a 13-point loss. With Florida State and Virginia looking elite on defense, and big, bad Duke flying somewhat under the radar without a ballyhooed NBA prospect, there are too many worthy challengers NOT to take the field.

Darlington

I’m going to go with the field. Louisville’s performance against Kentucky was far from terrible, but it also was not the best. They were nowhere near as great last year and since being toward the top is new for this team, I think they may struggle a little bit against the other top teams in the ACC.

Moore

Currently, I would take Louisville to win the regular season. That’s just because it’s really only gonna be a battle between them and Duke, and I view Louisville as the better team. Virginia is also in the conversation but I’m expecting them to finish middle of the pack.