ACC Basketball: 2021 Conference Tournament preview and predictions

Under the radar players

Raiquan Gray – Florida State Seminoles

2020-21 stats: 12.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg

A candidate for Most Improved Player in the ACC, Gray more than doubled his production as a junior and ended up as the key frontcourt player on a traditionally deep Seminole team. He’s on a 12-game double-digit scoring streak with four double-doubles, including 24 points and 12 rebounds against Wake Forest.

Keve Aluma – Virginia Tech Hokies

2020-21 stats: 15.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 bpg

Had the Hokies not played just two games in the past 30 days, Aluma could’ve had a great chance at winning ACC Player of the Year. The leading scorer and rebounder have been tremendous in his first year with Virginia Tech, including going for 29 and 30-point double-doubles in back-to-back games against Pittsburgh and Virginia. When he’s on, the Hokies will be very hard to beat.

Caleb Love – North Carolina Tar Heels

2020-21 stats: 10.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.2 spg

The former five-star prospect has been inconsistent, to say the least, with more single-digit games than 10+ this season. But the Tar Heels are 6-0 when he scores at least 15 points, including going for a combined 45 points in two massive wins over rival Duke. North Carolina has one of the best frontcourts in the country but a lack of shooting outside has lowered their ceiling. If Love can continue playing well, the Tar Heels have a shot.

Aamir Simms – Clemson Tigers

2020-21 stats: 13.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.6 apg

The two-time All-ACC forward has had his ups and downs, which is why the Tigers have had their ups and downs. But during a five-game win streak that included wins over Syracuse, UNC, and Georgia Tech, Simms, averaged 17 ppg to boost Clemson into “safe” territory for the NCAA Tournament.

Buddy Boeheim – Syracuse Orange

2020-21 stats: 16.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.5 spg

Both Alan Griffin and Quincy Guerrier could also have been mentioned here, but the Orange’s hopes for a possible postseason bid depends on the three-point making of the junior guard. Boeheim had 26 points on six made three-pointers in a massive win over Notre Dame and the team is 6-1 when he scores 20+ points.