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ACC Basketball questions: Biggest surprise, Player of the Year picks

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 6, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Kihei Clark (0) reacts with Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely (11) after their game against the James Madison Dukes at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2022; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Kihei Clark (0) reacts with Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely (11) after their game against the James Madison Dukes at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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ACC Basketball
ACC Basketball North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Who is your prediction for Conference Player of the Year? Possible runner-up?

Heiser

Even with UNC’s early struggles, it will be difficult to deny Armando Bacot if he ends up leading the conference in scoring and rebounding like he is right now. If Bacot’s play is able to catalyze a Tar Heel resurgence over the remaining conference games, that would definitely bolster his case beyond the stat sheet. I would also like to give a shoutout to Terquavion Smith, who could wind up in this conversation if NC State starts stringing together wins behind his scoring and playmaking.

Glasscox

The double-double machine is at it again in 2023. Bacot is currently averaging 18.6 points and 11 rebounds per game. While the rest of the Tar Heels are struggling thus far, he has been a constant for them and keeping the team competitive while Caleb Love tries to work out of their early season slumps.

Runner-up has to be Terquavion Smith, who has become more than just a scorer in his second season in Raleigh. He has upped his scoring average thus far to 18.4 points per game which puts him 2nd in the ACC behind Bacot, but what has impressed is his passing ability. He went from 2 assists per game his freshman to 5 assists per game this season.

He has also brought it on the defensive end where he is ranked 4th in the ACC in steals. Smith has a chance to lead the Wolfpack to the NCAA tournament, and make a real argument to be ACC play of the year, something a Wolfpack player hasn’t accomplished since T.J. Warren did in 2014.

McCormick

Miami guard Isaiah Wong is the leader in the clubhouse for player of the year for me in the ACC. Wong does it all for the Hurricanes as he can shoot, pass, and defend. He is a true playmaker and the reason why the Hurricanes are going to be right there in the end to win the ACC come March.

Runner up right now is Armando Bacot. North Carolina may be struggling but it is not because of Bacot who is averaging a double-double. The senior big man already is closing in on double digits for games he has recorded a double-double and it’s only the start of January.