The college basketball regular season is finally over, and with it comes the parade of all-conference teams and league honors. The following is how I voted for the ACC’s teams and award winners:
First Team
Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Mike Scott, Virginia
John Henson, North Carolina
Kendall Marshall, North Carolina
Austin Rivers, Duke
It came down to Marshall, Rivers and UNC’s Harrison Barnes for the final two spots. Marshall is going to set an ACC single-season assist record and is UNC’s most important player and Rivers’ development is why Duke managed to finish in second place. Plus, he’s just the second freshman to lead the Blue Devils in scoring under Mike Krzyzewski. Barnes led UNC in scoring, but the other two players were more vital to their teams’ success and development.
Second Team
Harrison Barnes, North Carolina
Terrell Stoglin, Maryland
Erick Green, Virginia Tech
Michael Snaer, Florida State
Lorenzo Brown, N.C. State
N.C. State’s C.J. Leslie would have been a stronger candidate for the second team had he played more defense on a consistent basis. Duke’s Seth Curry almost replaced Green, but Green kept the Hokies in so many games despite facing difficult odds, so his effort won out.
Third Team
Seth Curry, Duke
C.J. Leslie, N.C. State
Kenny Kadji, Miami
Mason Plumlee, Duke
Durand Scott, Miami
Virginia’s Joe Harris would have made this unit had he not broken a hand a few weeks ago. That opened the door for Scott, who really closed the season well. Not only did he score and dish, but he grabbed a lot of rebounds for a guard, and his attitude infected the rest of the Hurricanes.
All-Defensive Team
John Henson, North Carolina
Micahel Snaer, Florida State
Jontel Evams, Virginia
Tanner Smith, Clemson
Bernard James, Florida State
Clemson’s Andre Young and UNC’s Tyler Zeller were seriously considered, but this group of five is as worthy as any others.
All-Freshman Team
Austin Rivers, Duke
Ryan Anderson, Boston College
Nick Faust, Maryland
Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia
Dorian Finney-Smith, Virginia Tech
Not many great choices this season. UNC’s James Michael McAdoo is good enough to be on the squad, but he doesn’t start and didn’t log enough minutes, thus he didn’t earn it.
Player of the Year
Tyler Zeller, North Carolina
Explanation: Zeller was the best player in the league this year, just edging out Virginia’s Scott. But it was Zeller’s attitude that trickled down onto the rest of the team that was key in UNC developing a coat of armor it has worn more often than most pundits care to believe over the last month. Oh, and his numbers were fantastic in ACC play.
Coach of the Year
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke
Not a lot of great choices. Certainly Virginia’s Tony Bennett was close, Clemson’s Brad Brownell made a push, as did UNC’s Roy Williams and FSU’s Leonard Hamilton. But Coach K had a disjointed team all season that never had physical balance and he turned in a 13-3 ACC mark. Nice job.
