For the fifth straight week, the ACC has just one team in the AP’s Top 25 poll — No. 1 ranked Duke. While the Blue Devils legitimized their top ranking with nonconference victories over Kansas State, Michigan State and Butler — the rest of the ACC teams faltered before league play. So what’s the problem with the teams that were supposed to challenge Duke in the conference?
North Carolina » Expectations for the team — which didn’t make the NCAA tournament last year — and Harrison Barnes — who became the first freshman named to the preseason All-American first team — may have been too high. Barnes has really struggled — shooting just 36.7 percent from the floor. But the Tar Heels’ win over Kentucky will really help their tournament resume.
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Virginia Tech » The Hokies were struggling and then they lost guard Dorenzo Hudson and forward Cadarian Raines for the season to foot injuries. Hudson was Virginia Tech’s second leading scorer a season ago — averaging 15.2 points a game. As a team, the Hokies are averaging 68.9 points (ranked 192nd in Division I), 34.7 rebounds (227th) and 13.2 assists (174th).
N.C. State » Tracy Smith led the Wolfpack in scoring last season at 16.5 points a game. The 6-foot-8 forward suffered a knee injury in the second game of the season and N.C. State hasn’t play well without him. The Wolfpack lost by 39 points to Wisconsin in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and have fallen to Georgetown, Syracuse and Arizona. At least their only losses are to quality teams.
Maryland » Jordan Williams may be the best player in the conference, averaging 18.2 points and 11.9 rebounds a game. But the Terps were unable to win any of their more challenging nonconference games — losing to Pittsburgh, Illinois and Temple before falling to Boston College in their ACC opener. Maryland needs to figure out what to do with its backcourt.
