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

By Tristan Freeman

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)
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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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 14: Markell Johnson #11 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 14: Markell Johnson #11 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

4. Excluding the 4 ranked teams, who are most likely to break out from the middle?

Adler

Can I get back to you in a month? Haha. Seriously, I have no clue. The ACC, this year, isn’t super strong at the top, and the middle-of-the-pack is totally clogged up, at least for now. I do have confidence in prognosticating that the two premier units in the league are Louisville and Duke. Beyond that, I guess Florida State and Virginia are in the top four, but I’m not entirely sold on the Seminoles and the Cavaliers. As it pertains to which squad is likely to break out from the middle, I’ll go with N.C. State first, and then either Pittsburgh or Virginia Tech after that. And North Carolina is the wildcard.

The Wolfpack has beaten Wisconsin and Wake Forest so far, and its three setbacks are tight ones to top-15 foes Auburn and Memphis, along with Georgia Tech. Senior guard Markell Johnson, at 13.2 points, 6.9 assists and 4.5 rebounds every 40 minutes, is an absolute stud. If N.C. State doesn’t emerge, give me the Panthers or the Hokies, each of which has performed admirably in the non-conference slate. I’d love to throw my alma mater, Syracuse, into this conversation, but the Orange simply isn’t good this season.

Walton

NC State. As of December 26, the ACC has six top-40 KenPom teams, with North Carolina and NC State being the only unranked ACC teams in the KenPom top-40. I have some concerns as to whether or not Cole Anthony will return to UNC in light of James Wiseman’s decision to forgo the rest of his NCAA career and go pro, so that’s why I’m going with the Wolfpack here. NC State’s offense is No. 9 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency metric, scoring 113.3 points per 100 possessions. I like the trio of Johnson, C.J. Bryce, and DJ Funderburk to lead the Wolfpack to an above .500 record in ACC play.

Darlington

I think Virginia Tech might break out from the middle of the pack. With three losses, a new lineup, and a new coach, they should have a lot of confidence heading into conference play. I would not be surprised to see them be competitive and win a few big games on their home floor. I am also not going to completely rule out North Carolina. I still think they have a shot to have a big season if they resolve their issues offensively and if Cole Anthony returns soon.

Moore

Outside of the four ranked teams, the team that will most likely separate themselves from the rest is NC state. Currently they are 35th in Kenpom with two quad 1 wins (Wisconsin at home and UNCG on the road). They are just now coming into their own as well, according to barttorvik.com since their loss to Memphis on thanksgiving they have been the 19th best team in the country.

Markell Johnson has been terrific for the pack averaging 13 points four rebounds and seven assists, however his 3-point shooting is the lowest of his career shooting just 25% while he shot over 40% his sophomore and junior year. I expect his shooting percentage to start leveling out as the season goes along.