ACC Basketball: 2022 conference tournament preview and predictions

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 10: Light depicting the ACC logo shines on the court prior to a game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the North Carolina Tar Heels during the Semifinals of the 2012 Men's ACC Tournament at the Philips Arena on March 10, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. North Carolina defeated NC State 69-67. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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ACC Basketball Alondes Williams Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Key players for the ACC conference tournament

JR Wendell Moore, Jr. – Duke

2021-22 stats: 13.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.5 stls

The 6’5 Wendell Moore, Jr. adds a little veteran leadership to this young Blue Devils squad and he also adds some helpful offensive punch along the way. He averages 13 points and 5.5 rebounds while being Duke’s top playmaker, dishing out 4.6 assists per game.

He also shoots over 51% from the field and is a 40% three-point shooter. Coming down the stretch if the youngsters get rattled in any way, Moore, Jr. will be able to take control and settle things down.

SR Alondes Williams – Wake Forest

2021-22 stats: 19.3 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 5.3 apg

If anyone besides Krzyzewski wins ACC Coach of the Year it should be Steve Forbes at Wake Forest, thanks in part to senior Alondes Williams. Williams is Mr. do everything for the Demon Deacons, leading the team in all three major categories points (19.3), rebounds (6.6), and assists (5.3).

He has led Wake Forest in scoring 16 times this season and 17 times in assists, along with Indiana State transfer Jake LaRavia are a major reason the Demon Deacons finished 5th in the conference after being picked 13th.

JR Armando Bacot – North Carolina

2021-22 stats: 16.6 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 59.5% fg%

When the season started many people thought it would be Duke’s arch-rival North Carolina that would be their main competition. After a long windy road it looks like it worked out that way, the Tar Heels finished at 23-8 in 3rd place, but junior big man Armando Bacot will make Hubert Davis’ team a tough out in the tournament.

The 6’10 Bacot is one of the best rebounders in the country, averaging a double-double by a good margin with 16.6 points and 12.5 rebounds, while also being a force on the defensive end with 1.7 blocks per game.

SR Charlie Moore – Miami

2021-22 stats: 12.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.0 stls

In November many weren’t sure what to make of Miami with all the new faces well, fast forward to March, and point guard Charlie Moore from DePaul may have turned out to be one of the best transfer portal pickups in the country.

Moore has been a stabilizing force in the Hurricanes’ backcourt averaging 12.5 points and a team-high 4.3 assists while giving them over 30 minutes per game. For a team that turns the ball over just 9.6 times per game, Moore averages two turnovers and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.1.

SR Buddy Boeheim – Syracuse

2021-22 stats: 19.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.1 apg

Every year we wonder if there will be a Kemba Walker-like moment somewhere. In the ACC for me, that is Syracuse’s, Buddy Boeheim. The senior guard who leads the team in scoring with 19.3 points per game has shown the ability to take over a game with his ability to shoot the ball.

With Syracuse’s history of making unsuspecting runs in March, keep an eye on Boeheim and the potential for him to put the Orange on his back for a few games.