Atlantic Coast Conference 2004-05 Season Recap
The Champ Is Here
For the third time in five years, the national champion resides in the ACC. North Carolina joined Duke and Maryland as the conference’s most recent national champions from the conference by virtue of the Tar Heels’ 75-70 win against Illinois.
The championship capped a brilliant run by the Tar Heels, who may be the most talented team to come through the ACC in years. Raymond Felton, Rashad McCants, Sean May and Marvin Williams will all likely be first-round draft picks in this year’s NBA Draft. Seniors Jawad Williams and Jackie Manuel could also earn a pick in the second round. Collectively, North Carolina mastered coach Roy Williams’ scheme, which featured constant defensive pressure and full-court sprints on offense. The team averaged a Division I-best 88 points per game.
Although North Carolina was the only ACC representative in the Final Four, the rest of the conference enjoyed success throughout the season. The elite teams were centered in the state of North Carolina as Wake Forest and Duke competed with the Tar Heels for the ACC regular-season title. In addition to the top three, Georgia Tech and North Carolina State also went to the NCAA Tournament.
Perhaps the most surprising story of the season, however, was the addition and emergence of ACC newcomers Miami and Virginia Tech. Predicted to finish in the conference’s bottom two spots, the Hokies earned fourth place while the Hurricanes finished tied for sixth. And with young lineups, the Big East’s defectors could again be contenders in the ACC.
The disappointing teams were Virginia and Maryland. The Terrapins missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seemingly forever, as controversy between star point guard John Gilchrist and coach Gary Williams poisoned the team’s chemistry. Meanwhile at Virginia, coach Pete Gillen needed a stellar season from the Cavaliers to save his job. Instead, his team peaked in the second game of the season against Arizona. It was all downhill from there, and now Gillen is looking for a new job.
The other two ACC bottom-feeders were Clemson and Florida State. Both teams are growing under coaches Oliver Purnell and Leonard Hamilton, respectively. Good times are ahead for their squads, but they were few and far between in 2004-05.
ACC Tournament
Surprise, surprise – Duke won the ACC Tournament. For the sixth time in seven years, the Blue Devils claimed the conference title by virtue of a victory in the ACC Tournament championship game.
The Blue Devils entered the tournament seeded No. 3 and beat No. 11 Miami, No. 7 North Carolina State and No. 5 Georgia Tech en route to the title. Duke beat the upset-minded Yellow Jackets behind 26 points from J.J. Redick and 16 points and 13 rebounds from Shelden Williams.
Georgia Tech became the surprise participant in the championship by beating No. 1 North Carolina in the tournament’s biggest upset. The win propelled the Yellow Jackets to a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament than they would have had if they bowed out of the conference tournament earlier. Georgia Tech sealed the NIT fate of No. 4 Virginia Tech with a quarterfinal win. Elsewhere, No. 7 North Carolina State pulled off a major upset against No. 2 Wake Forest, which played without Chris Paul, who was suspended for throwing a punch in a game against North Carolina State a week earlier.
Maryland and Miami both saw their NCAA Tournament aspirations vanquish when they lost to lower-seeded teams. No. 9 Clemson beat the Terrapins for a three-game season sweep, which almost certainly was the primary reason Maryland failed to qualify for the tournament. Meanwhile, No. 11 Virginia killed the Hurricanes in the opening round, ending any hopes of an NCAA bid in Miami’s inaugural season in the conference.
NCAA Tournament
Unlike a year earlier when the ACC fielded six teams seeded sixth or better, the ACC got only five teams in the NCAA Tournament this season. But three of those teams – North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest – were No. 1 or 2 seeds. Georgia Tech and North Carolina State joined the conference’s elite. Here are the results from the ACC’s representatives in the NCAA Tournament.
No. 1 North Carolina:
First round: Won vs. No. 16 Oakland 96-68
Second round: Won vs. No. 9 Iowa State 92-65
Sweet 16: Won vs. No. 5 Villanova 67-66
Elite Eight: Won vs. No. 6 Wisconsin 88-82
Final Four: Won vs. No. 5 Michigan State 87-71
Championship: Won vs. No. 1 Illinois 75-70
No.1 Duke:
First round: Won vs. No. 16 Delaware State 57-46
Second round: Won vs. No. 9 Mississippi State 63-55
Sweet 16: Lost vs. No. 5 Michigan State 78-68
No. 2 Wake Forest:
First round: Won vs. No. 15 Tennessee-Chattanooga 70-54
Second round: Lost vs. No. 7 West Virginia 111-105 (2 OT)
No. 5 Georgia Tech:
First round: Won vs. No. 12 George Washington 80-68
Second round: Lost vs. No. 4 Louisville 76-54
No. 10 North Carolina State:
First round: Won vs. No. 7 Charlotte 75-63
Second round: Won vs. No. 2 Connecticut 65-52
Sweet 16: Lost vs. No. 6 Wisconsin 65-56
NIT
With losing records, only Florida State and Virginia were not eligible to compete in the NIT. And the remaining four teams that finished the ACC tournament with winning records all got invitations to play in the NIT. Clearly one of the favorites, Maryland reached the Final Four in New York before losing to eventual champion South Carolina. Meanwhile, Clemson, Miami and Virginia Tech exited early in the tournament. Here are the teams’ results.
Clemson:
First round: Lost at Texas A&M 82-74
Maryland:
First round: Won vs. Oral Roberts 85-72
Second round: Won vs. Davidson 78-63
Quarterfinals: Won vs. TCU 85-73
Semifinals: Lost vs. South Carolina 75-67
Miami:
First round: Lost at South Carolina 69-63
Virginia Tech:
First round: Won vs. Temple 60-50
Second round: Lost at Memphis 83-62
Player of the Year: Shelden Williams, Duke
In a conference with so many superstars, pinpointing a single player to name as the ACC’s best is nearly impossible. But Duke’s Shelden Williams was the complete package this season, edging out North Carolina’s Sean May and Wake Forest’s Chris Paul.
Williams was the rock for the Blue Devils, scoring at will in the paint like Shaquille O’Neal, grabbing rebounds like the second coming of Dennis Rodman and blocking shots like a young Dikembe Mutumbo. When J.J. Redick wasn’t hitting shots, Williams carried the team. And with a short bench, Williams played more minutes than most big men typically play. Yet he excelled from the first game all the way until Duke’s Sweet 16 loss to Michigan State.
First Team All-ACC
Shelden Williams, Duke
Sean May, North Carolina
Chris Paul, Wake Forest
J.J. Redick, Duke
Raymond Felton, North Carolina
Second Team All-ACC
Julius Hodge, North Carolina State
Sharrod Ford, Clemson
Eric Williams, Wake Forest
Guillermo Diaz, Miami
Marvin Williams, North Carolina
Third Team All-ACC
Nik Caner-Medley, Maryland
Jarrett Jack, Georgia Tech
John Gilchrist, Maryland
Robert Hite, Miami
Daniel Ewing, Duke
Rookie of the Year: Marvin Williams, North Carolina
Unlike player of the year, in which several players were viable candidates, North Carolina’s Marvin Williams ran away with this award. Williams was one of the best, most reliable players in all of the ACC – and he didn’t even start for the Tar Heels. He would win the Sixth Man of the Year award if I gave out that award. Williams averaged nearly 12 points and seven rebounds per game despite playing only a little more than 20 minutes per game off the bench.
First Team All-Rookie
Marvin Williams, North Carolina
Sean Singletary, Virginia
Cliff Hammonds, Clemson
Deron Washington, Virginia Tech
Andrew Brackman, North Carolina State
Second Team All-Rookie
James Gist, Maryland
DeMarcus Nelson, Duke
Cheyenne Moore, Clemson
Ra’Sean Dickey, Georgia Tech
Anthony Morrow, Georgia Tech
Defense Player of the Year: Shelden Williams, Duke
Duke’s Shelden Williams collects his second award of the year because he was the conference’s most dominant player on defense. Williams blocked a remarkable 3.7 shots per game. Nobody could drive into the lane and feel safe taking a shot. In two games against the national champion Tar Heels, Williams blocked 11 shots. And if the shots made it past Williams’ outstretched arms and missed, he likely recovered in time to snatch the rebound. Williams averaged nearly 12 rebounds per game, making him the conference’s most efficient player on the glass.
First Team All-Defensive
Shelden Williams, Duke
Chris Paul, Wake Forest
Jamon Gordon, Virginia Tech
Jackie Manuel, North Carolina
Anthony King, Miami
Second Team All-Defensive
Eric Williams, Wake Forest
Raymond Felton, North Carolina
Sharrod Ford, Clemson
Daniel Ewing, Duke
Carlos Dixon, Virginia Tech
Coach of the Year: Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech’s Seth Greenberg pulled off the most remarkable coaching performance of any ACC coach. Greenberg’s Hokies went from a non-conference loss to VMI all the way to fourth place in the ACC. In the team’s first season in the ACC, Virginia Tech finished 8-8, including a shocking 67-65 upset against Duke. In a league dominated by superstars who can score, the Hokies won with defense, as the team cracked 80 points only once in the team’s last 27 games.
Team Capsules
North Carolina Tar Heels (33-4, 14-2 ACC)
North Carolina returned to the NCAA’s elite by claiming a national championship. The Tar Heels won the ACC’s regular-season title, earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and completed a six-game run to the national title. North Carolina beat Illinois 75-70 in a matchup that fans and analysts had hoped for since late December.
The Tar Heels’ success was a product of one of the most talented lineups in ACC history. North Carolina has six players who could be drafted by NBA teams this year. A lineup of point guard Raymond Felton, swingman Rashad McCants, forwards Jawad Williams and Marvin Williams and center Sean May probably could take down the NBA’s bottom dwellers, such as the Atlanta Hawks or New Orleans Hornets.
By finally claiming a championship, coach Roy Williams ended all speculation that he can’t win the big one. The Tar Heels mastered Williams’ game plan, running opponents ragged. North Carolina averaged 88.4 points per game, shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor. Good shot selection and a fast pace allowed the Tar Heels to squash opponents quickly or slowly.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Sean May, 17.5 ppg
Rebounds: May, 10.7 rpg
Assists: Raymond Felton, 6.9 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Junior point guard Raymond Felton (NBA Draft): 12.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.9 apg, 44.1 three-point percentage, 69 steals
Senior guard Jackie Manuel (graduation): 5.9 ppg, 44 steals
Junior forward Sean May (NBA Draft): 16.8 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 55.4 field goal percentage, 42 blocks
Junior forward Rashad McCants (NBA Draft): 15.9 ppg, 41.6 three-point percentage
Senior guard Melvin Scott (graduation): 5.3 ppg, 36.1 three-point percentage
Freshman forward Marvin Williams (NBA Draft): 11.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 52.4 field goal percentage, 84.8 free-throw percentage, 46.3 three-point percentage
Senior forward Jawad Williams (graduation): 13.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 53.6 field goal percentage, 81.3 free-throw percentage
Key Players Returning:
Junior forward David Noel: 3.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 34 steals
Junior forward Byron Sanders: 0.8 ppg, 0.9 rpg
Sophomore guard Reyshawn Terry: 2.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 60 three-point percentage
Freshman point guard Quentin Thomas: 0.8 ppg, 1.3 apg
New Additions:
Shooting guard Bobby Frasor
Point guard Marcus Ginyard
Shooting guard Danny Green
Power forward Tyler Hansbrough
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Tyler Hansbrough
Forward Byron Sanders
Forward David Noel
Guard Reyshawn Terry
Point guard Quentin Thomas
2005-06 Outlook:
The losses of Felton, McCants, May, Marvin Williams, Jawad Williams, Scott and Manuel will overhaul this team’s appearance. But North Carolina will not fall off the radar again like the team did under former coach Matt Doherty. With a strong recruiting class, coach Williams will have another talented lineup that can go seven or eight deep. But several players must emerge as leaders, including junior David Noel, freshman point guard Quentin Thomas and sophomore shooting guard Reyshawn Terry. Look for the Tar Heels to struggle at times but finish strong. Prediction: Eighth.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons (27-6, 13-3 ACC)
A second-place ACC finish and No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament are good accomplishments, but Wake Forest fans can’t get rid of the taste of disappointment after their Demon Deacons lost in the second round to No. 7-seed West Virginia. The Demon Deacons torched most of their opponents throughout the season, but an early-season blowout at Illinois foreshadowed later defensive struggles in clutch situations.
The NCAA Tournament upset also marked the end of the Chris Paul era at Wake Forest. One of the most talented point guards in ACC history, Paul will likely be one of the top three draft choices in this year’s NBA Draft. He can hit shots from anywhere on the court, but he always looks to set up a teammate first. Paul can fit into nearly any scheme, but he plays his best in a wide-open, high-octane offense.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Eric Williams, 16.1 ppg
Rebounds: Williams 7.7 rpg
Assists: Chris Paul, 6.6 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior forward Vytas Danelius (graduation): 7.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Senior guard Taron Downey: 9.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 86.7 free-throw percentage, 41.9 three-point percentage
Senior forward Jamaal Levy (graduation): 7.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Sophomore point guard Chris Paul (NBA Draft): 15.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6.6 apg, 83.4 free-throw percentage, 47.4 three-point percentage, 76 steals
Junior center Eric Williams (NBA Draft): 16.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 63 field goal percentage, 36 blocks:
Key Players Returning:
Junior guard Chris Ellis: 3.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Junior guard Justin Gray: 16.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 40.5 three-point percentage
Freshman forward Cameron Stanley
Junior forward Trent Strickland: 5.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg
Sophomore forward Kyle Visser: 3.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg
New Additions:
Shooting guard Harvey Hale
Power forward Kevin Swinton
Power forward David Weaver
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Kyle Visser
Forward Trent Strickland
Forward Kevin Swinton
Guard Chris Ellis
Guard Justin Gray
2005-06 Outlook:
Wake Forest has no one who can replace either Paul or Williams, if the big man opts not to return to campus. This outlook assumes he remains in the draft. If he returns, Wake Forest has one of the top three post players in the conference and will be able to surge toward the top of the standings. Without Williams, junior Kyle Visser and freshman Kevin Swinton need to emerge as reliable threats to free looks on the outside for Gray and Ellis. Wake Forest could actually be a better defensive team next season, allowing the Demon Deacons to hold their own in conference play. Prediction: Seventh.
Duke Blue Devils (27-6, 11-5 ACC)
Coach Mike Krzyzewski put on one of the best coaching jobs of his career this past season. Considered to be in the midst of an off year, Duke routinely beat up its competition, despite a very short bench and a rash of injuries to several role players. In the face of adversity, coach K convinced each player to stay within his limits and give 100 percent effort on the court.
As a result, J.J. Redick and Shelden Williams led the Blue Devils to a third-place ACC finish and an ACC championship in the conference tournament. Duke earned a No. 1 seed, squeaking past Wake Forest for the position in the final week. The deadly combination of Redick and Williams frustrated opponents all season until Michigan State upset Duke in the Sweet 16.
If last season was an off-season for Duke, no one in Durham has anything to complain about. This team played solid defense while continuing to score points in bunches. And the future looks only better.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: J.J. Redick, 21.8 ppg
Rebounds: Shelden Williams, 11.2 rpg
Assists: Daniel Ewing, 4.0 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior guard Daniel Ewing (graduation): 15.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.0 apg, 65 steals
Senior forward Reggie Love (graduation): 1.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Key Players Returning:
Junior guard Sean Dockery: 6.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 42.9 three-point percentage, 43 steals
Freshman forward David McClure: 1.7 ppg, 1.4 rpg
Junior forward Lee Melchionni: 7.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 39.6 three-point percentage
Freshman guard DeMarcus Nelson: 6.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Junior forward Shavlik Randolph: 4.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 44 blocks
Junior guard J.J. Redick: 21.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 93.8 free-throw percentage, 40.3 three-point percentage
Junior forward Shelden Williams: 15.5 ppg, 11.2 rpg, 122 blocks, 42 steals
New Additions:
Power forward Eric Boateng
Small forward Jamal Boykin
Power forward Josh McRoberts
Point guard Greg Paulus
Shooting guard Martynas Pocius
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Shelden Williams
Forward Josh McRoberts
Guard Sean Dockery
Guard J.J. Redick
Point guard Greg Paulus
2005-06 Outlook:
Look out world, because here come the Blue Devils. As dominant as North Carolina was this past season, Duke could be even better next season. With the return of Redick and Williams, Duke may have the two best players in all of college basketball. Redick is deadly from the perimeter and the free-throw line, and he has improved his ability to drive to the hoop to create more opportunities. Williams, meanwhile, is simply the best defensive presence in the conference. With a few more moves on offense, he could be as unstoppable inside as Redick is outside. In addition to these two, recruit Greg Paulus gives Duke a true point guard, allowing junior Sean Dockery to play off-guard. But his real value will be on defense. With a cast of rising seniors and several underclassmen who could leave the school early, Duke’s window of opportunity to win with this lineup may only be cracked. They will deliver. Prediction: First.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (20-12, 8-8 ACC)
After reaching the national championship a season earlier, Georgia Tech seemed to be mired in a perpetual second-place funk last season. With a senior-laden lineup, the Yellow Jackets had the experience and talent to be one of the best teams in the conference. They just never lived up to expectations.
Georgia Tech’s stability was ruined by injuries to players such as senior shooting guard B.J. Elder. Junior point guard Jarrett Jack was their most reliable player, but even he could not carry the team to big wins. As a result, the Yellow Jackets finished fifth. The best win of the year was a semifinal upset against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament. Georgia Tech bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in the second round to eventual Final Four participant Louisville.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Jarrett Jack, 15.5 ppg
Rebounds: Luke Schenscher, 7.3 rpg
Assists: Jack, 4.5 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior guard Will Bynum (graduation): 12.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Senior guard B.J. Elder (graduation): 12.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Freshman guard Zam Fredrick (transfer): 1.6 ppg, 0.8 apg
Junior point guard Jarrett Jack (NBA Draft): 15.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 44.2 three-point percentage, 86.6 free-throw percentage, 51.4 field goal percentage, 58 steals
Senior forward Anthony McHenry (graduation): 3.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 37 blocks, 35 steals
Senior forward Isma’il Muhammad (graduation): 8.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 39 steals
Senior center Luke Schenscher (graduation): 10.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 53.9 field goal percentage, 56 blocks
Key Players Returning:
Freshman forward Ra’Sean Dickey: 5.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 62.1 field goal percentage, 22 blocks
Freshman guard Anthony Morrow: 5.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 36.5 three-point percentage, 89.5 free-throw percentage
Freshman forward Jeremis Smith: 2.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Junior forward Theodis Tarver: 1.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg
Sophomore guard Mario West: 2.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg
New Additions:
Center Alade Aminu
Small forward D’Andre Bell
Shooting guard Lewis Clinch
Shooting guard Austin Jackson
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Ra’Sean Dickey
Forward Jeremis Smith
Forward Theodis Tarver
Guard Mario West
Guard Anthony Morrow
2005-06 Outlook:
Much like North Carolina, Georgia Tech will lose a host of talented players who carried the team last season. If Jack opts to remain in the draft, the biggest hole will be at point guard. The Yellow Jackets will have a young lineup next season. Fortunately, freshmen Anthony Morrow and Ra’Sean Dickey received significant playing time last season, so they should be ready to step up. Although the Yellow Jackets should remain solid on defense because coach Paul Hewitt always has his teams ready to play 40 minutes on D, the team’s offensive consistency could be difficult to find and maintain. Prediction: Ninth.
North Carolina State Wolfpack (21-14, 7-9 ACC)
By most comparisons, senior guard Julius Hodge had a disappointing final season at North Carolina State after winning the ACC’s Most Valuable Player award a year earlier. Hodge seemed to struggle to hit shots consistently, and his free-throw shooting nose-dived. But despite the struggles, Hodge led the team in points, rebounds and assists per game.
Along with the rest of the team, Hodge played much better at the end of the season, peaking at the right time of year – March. The Wolfpack beat Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament to seal a bid to the NCAA Tournament despite a losing record in conference play. Once in the tournament, the Wolfpack did not disappoint fans. They beat No. 10-seed Charlotte before upsetting the second-seeded defending national champs, Connecticut. Although the Wolfpack struggled to find their rhythm most of the season, they exceeded expectations before all was said and done.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Julius Hodge, 17.0 ppg
Rebounds: Hodge, 6.6 rpg
Assists: Hodge, 4.8 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior forward Jordan Collins (graduation): 6.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 46.2 three-point percentage, 81.0 free-throw percentage, 50 field goal percentage
Senior guard Julius Hodge (graduation): 17.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 4.8 assists per game, 48 steals
Senior forward Levi Watkins (graduation): 3.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 85.7 free-throw percentage
Key Players Returning:
Sophomore guard Engin Atsur: 9.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.5 assists per game, 38.3 three-point percentage, 57 steals
Junior guard Cameron Bennerman: 9.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 39.3 three-point percentage
Junior guard Tony Bethel: 8.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.5 assists per game, 41 steals
Freshman forward Andrew Brackman: 7.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 36.0 three-point percentage, 80.6 free-throw percentage, 40 blocks
Junior forward Ilian Evtimov: 9.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 42.6 three-point percentage, 41 steals
Freshman forward Gavin Grant: 4.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg
Freshman forward Cedric Simmons: 3.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 50.6 field goal percentage, 35 blocks
New Additions:
Small forward Brandon Costner
Shooting guard Courtney Fells
Power forward Ben McCauley
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Andrew Brackman
Forward Ilian Evtimov
Guard Cameron Bennerman
Guard Engin Atsur
Point guard Tony Bethel
2005-06 Outlook:
With the loss of Hodge, most critics have a reasonable argument for suggesting that North Carolina State will fall back in the standings – and they weren’t that high in the standings last season. But that’s short-sighted. North Carolina State had excellent depth last season, including several talented freshmen such as Andrew Brackman, Gavin Grant and Cedric Simmons. They join the veterans Evtimov, Atsur and Bethel on a talented team that should play very well in coach Herb Sendek’s version of the Princeton-style offense. This team will rise – not fall – next season because of strong defense and an excellent perimeter game matched with better inside play than the Wolfpack have seen in years. Prediction: Third.
Maryland Terrapins (19-13, 7-9 ACC)
Maryland missed the NCAA Tournament for the first in 12 years this past year because of Clemson. Rarely does one team have the ability to stop a team from advancing to the NCAA Tournament because the selection committee considers a team’s body of work. But Maryland’s body of work contained three losses to the Tigers. The last loss came in the opening round of the ACC Tournament when the Terrapins desperately needed a win to prove they could beat the teams they were supposed to.
That last bit proved the problem. The Terrapins had some great wins on the season against Duke and Georgia Tech, but they couldn’t take care of business against the weaker competition. The team’s chemistry often was out of whack because star point guard John Gilchrist feuded with coach Gary Williams. For a team with so much talent and potential, only self-destruction prevented the Terrapins from making noise in the NCAA Tournament.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Nik Caner-Medley, 16.0 ppg
Rebounds: Travis Garrison, 6.5 rpg
Assists: John Gilchrist, 5.5 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Junior point guard John Gilchrist (NBA Draft): 13.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.5 apg, 38.3 three-point percentage, 42 steals
Senior forward Mike Grinnon (graduation): 0.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Key Players Returning:
Sophomore center Will Bowers: 2.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg
Junior forward Nik Caner-Medley: 16.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 43 steals
Junior forward Travis Garrison: 10.1 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 37.5 three-point percentage, 81.9 free-throw percentage, 43 blocks
Freshman forward James Gist: 6.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 31 blocks
Sophomore forward Ekene Ibekwe: 8.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 55 blocks
Sophomore guard Mike Jones: 7.2 ppg, 2.1 apg
Junior guard Sterling Ledbetter: 3.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg
Junior guard Chris McCray: 14.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 90.3 free-throw percentage, 58 steals
Sophomore point guard D.J. Strawberry: 7.1 ppg, 2.1 apg
New Additions:
Small forward Shane Clark
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Ekene Ibekwe
Forward Travis Garrison
Forward Nik Caner-Medley
Guard Chris McCray
Point guard D.J. Strawberry
2005-06 Outlook:
Maryland will have almost an identical lineup to last season, minus Gilchrist. Although he’s a talented point guard, the lack of distractions should keep the rest of the team focused. Additionally, D.J. Strawberry is more than an adequate replacement. He’s a defensive gem and should help propel Maryland back into the ACC’s elite. Although Maryland may look confused until Strawberry fully adapts to his role as starting point guard, the Terrapins will thrive next year as other powerhouses go through a youth movement. Prediction: Second.
Miami Hurricanes (16-13, 7-9 ACC)
Along with fellow former Big East brethren Virginia Tech, the Miami Hurricanes crashed the ACC’s party last season by refusing to play the role of the conference’s doormat. In their first season in the ACC, Miami finished in the middle of the pack by taking care of business against the lower half of the conference. Although Miami didn’t pick up a marquee conference win all season, the Hurricanes played everyone tough.
The success bodes well for the Frank Haith era at Miami. In his first year as coach at Miami, Haith resurrected a program that had been sinking for years, and he did so with a shallow bench. Guards Guillermo Diaz and Robert Hite were the sparkplugs of this team, lighting up opponents from long range. Both Diaz and Hite return next season as the Hurricanes look to move into the upper echelon of the ACC.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Guillermo Diaz, 18.6 ppg
Rebounds: Anthony King, 8.0 rpg
Assists: Anthony Harris, 4.6 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior forward Brandon Okpalobi (graduation): 0.5 ppg, 0.8 rpg
Senior forward William Frisby (graduation): 8.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 36.4 three-point percentage, 83.6 free-throw percentage
Key Players Returning:
Sophomore guard Guillermo Diaz: 18.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 36.3 three-point percentage, 44 steals
Junior forward Gary Hamilton: 4.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 52.6 field goal percentage
Junior guard Robert Hite: 17.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 38.1 three-point percentage, 86.6 free-throw percentage, 45 steals
Sophomore forward Anthony King: 6.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 53.2 field goal percentage, 86 blocks
Sophomore point guard Anthony Harris: 12.4 ppg, 4.6 apg
Freshman forward Raymond Hicks: 1.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 57.1 three-point percentage
Freshman guard Antoine Mayhand: 0.8 ppg, 0.5 rpg
Junior guard Eric Wilkins: 1.5 ppg, 1.1 rpg
New Additions:
Small forward Brian Asbury
Point guard Denis Clemente
Small forward Adrian Thomas
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Anthony King
Forward Gary Hamilton
Guard Robert Hite
Guard Guillermo Diaz
Point guard Anthony Harris
2005-06 Outlook:
With no major losses from this past season, Miami figures to play an even more powerful role in the ACC next season. The Hurricanes will again count on Hite and Diaz to lead the team, but sophomore forward Anthony King could be the surprise of the year in the ACC. Already a formidable defensive player, King could become one of the conference’s best post players if he develops his offensive game. Right, now Miami lacks a presence in the frontcourt, and King needs to step up to meet that need. Look for him to improve and the other young post players to grow under Haith’s watch. Miami will turn even more heads next season. Prediction: Fourth.
Virginia Tech Hokies (16-14, 8-8 ACC)
Virginia Tech joined Miami as the ACC’s newest members this past season, and the Hokies instantly made their presence known despite a mediocre start in the non-conference portion of the season. Virginia Tech lacked any marquee victories, which killed the Hokies’ NCAA aspirations despite a fourth-place finish in the conference. The low point was a loss at VMI.
But Virginia Tech turned around its season with a dedication to defense. The Hokies averaged less than 69 points per game, one of the least productive outputs in the conference. Despite their offensive instability, the Hokies won in conference play because they forced turnovers and bad shots. Their defense fueled a phenomenal upset against Duke. Virginia Tech’s backcourt of Carlos Dixon, Zabian Dowdell and Jamon Gordon led the team in scoring and on defense.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Zabian Dowdell, 14.4 ppg
Rebounds: Coleman Collins, 7.0 rpg
Assists: Jamon Gordon, 4.1 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior guard Carlos Dixon (graduation): 13.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 41.2 three-point percentage, 77.2 free-throw percentage, 54 steals
Key Players Returning:
Junior forward Allen Calloway: 1.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg
Sophomore forward Coleman Collins: 11.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg
Freshman point guard Marquise Cooke: 3.6 ppg, 1.6 rpg
Sophomore guard Zabian Dowdell: 14.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.7 apg, 42.3 three-point percentage, 48 steals
Sophomore point guard Jamon Gordon: 10.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.1 apg, 67 steals
Junior guard Shawn Harris: 2.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 38.5 three-point percentage, 50.0 field goal percentage
Freshman center Robert Krabbendam: 1.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Sophomore guard Markus Sailes: 0.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg
Sophomore forward Chris Tucker: 1.5 ppg, 1.1 rpg
Freshman forward Deron Washington: 7.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 60.0 three-point percentage
Freshman forward Wynton Witherspoon: 2.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg
New Additions:
Cheick Diakite PF
Hyman Taylor PF
Terrance Vinson PF
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Coleman Collins
Forward Deron Washington
Guard Zabian Dowdell
Guard Markus Sailes
Point guard Jamon Gordon
2005-06 Outlook:
Virginia Tech does not possess a bumper crop of offensive weapons on the roster, but every player is solid on defense, which fueled the team’s fourth-place finish. With nearly every major player, except for Dixon, returning, the Hokies will be good again next year. Because the team is young, the players will continue to grow and improve. More depth in the frontcourt arrives in the form of three freshmen who should see more playing time as the season progresses. Virginia Tech’s potential is less than other ACC teams, so this team has limitations on its success. But don’t tell that to the perennial powerhouses the Hokies pass in the standings. Prediction: Fifth.
Clemson Tigers (16-16, 5-11 ACC)
In coach Oliver Purnell’s second season leading the Tigers, Clemson did not make significant improvements. But the Tigers did show spurts of brilliance, especially against Maryland. Clemson beat the Terrapins three times to kill Maryland’s hopes of earning an NCAA Tournament bid.
Clemson’s success was driven by senior forward Sharrod Ford, the ACC’s most underrated frontcourt player. Ford did everything for the Tigers – score, rebound and defend. But he was surrounded by young players in the backcourt who were not prepared to provide enough assistance to take this team to the next level. Purnell clearly looked ahead throughout the season, however, by playing his freshmen and sophomores at length.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Sharrod Ford, 14.9 ppg
Rebounds: Ford, 8.2 rpg
Assists: Vernon Hamilton and Shawan Robinson, 2.9 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior forward Olu Babalola (graduation): 6.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg
Senior forward Sharrd Ford (graduation): 14.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 51.2 field goal percentage, 68 blocks
Key Players Returning:
Junior forward Akin Akingbala: 5.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 59.3 field goal percentage
Sophomore point guard Vernon Hamilton: 6.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 68 steals
Freshman forward Cliff Hammonds: 10.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 43 steals
Freshman forward James Mays: 4.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg
Freshman forward Cheyenne Moore: 6.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 82.8 free-throw percentage
Freshman forward Sam Perry: 4.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Junior guard Shawan Robinson: 10.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.9 apg, 40.4 three-point percentage, 83.7 free-throw percentage
New Additions:
Power forward Julius Powell
Shooting guard KC Rivers
Center Raymond Sykes
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Cliff Hammonds
Forward Cheyenne Moore
Forward Akin Akingbala
Guard Shawan Robinson
Point guard Vernon Hamilton
2005-06 Outlook:
Though Clemson’s lineup will mix experience with youth, the younger players, such as freshmen Hammonds and Moore, have experience from this past season. One would figure that Clemson should rise in the standings, but the Tigers will continue to struggle on offense. If the team doesn’t play sound defense, which was an issue at times last year, the Tigers will not move up in the standings. Look for that to happen, unless Georgia Tech, North Carolina or Wake Forest fall further in the standings. Prediction: Tenth.
Florida State Seminoles (12-19, 4-12 ACC)
Florida State had another rough season, especially on offense. Despite 10 talented players on this roster, no one emerged as a reliable scoring threat. Without anyone to go to in clutch time, the Seminoles lost several close games. The only reliable scorer, Von Wafer, will enter this year’s NBA Draft.
The good news for second-year Seminole coach Leonard Hamilton is that his team is still young and will improve with age; the down side is that the players may not improve significantly right away. This past season’s team was led by seniors, who started most of the games, so the youngsters don’t have much experience as the primary scoring options. Al Thornton and Alexander Johnson played well on the frontcourt for Florida State this past, while freshmen Isaiah Swann and Jason Rich proved to be promising guards.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Von Wafer, 12.5 ppg
Rebounds: Al Thornton and Adam Waleskowski, 4.4 rpg
Assists: Todd Galloway, 3.0 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior forward Anthony Richardson (graduation): 6.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 82.2 free-throw percentage, 50.8 field goal percentage
Senior forward Diego Romero (graduation): 3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg
Sophomore guard Von Wafer (NBA Draft): 12.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 39.6 three-point percentage
Senior forward Adam Waleskoski (graduation): 8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 42.0 three-point percentage
Senior forward Andrew Wilson: 3.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg
Key Players Returning:
Junior point guard Todd Galloway: 6.1 ppg, 3.0 apg
Sophomore forward Alexander Johnson: 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg
Freshman guard Ralph Mims: 2.8 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Freshman guard Jason Rich: 5.4 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Freshman guard Isaiah Swann: 5.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.0 apg
Sophomore forward Al Thornton: 9.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 54.3 field goal percentage
New Additions:
Small forward Casaan Breeden
Power forward Ryan Reid
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Alexander Johnson
Forward Al Thornton
Guard Jason Rich
Guard Isaiah Swann
Point guard Todd Galloway
2005-06 Outlook:
Like many of the ACC’s weaker teams, Florida State relied almost entirely on defense to stay in games. But the Seminoles do not lack offensive weapons like some of the other teams; rather, this team underperforms. That does not bode well for coach Hamilton, who needs this team to make dramatic improvements in his third season to avoid the hot seat. But that won’t happen because Von Wafer is inexplicably ditching the team for the NBA Draft. Wafer is not a good enough player to earn a spot on an NBA team and will be relegated to the developmental league or foreign teams. Meanwhile, his former teammates will miss reliable long-range talents. Look for Thornton and Alexander to lead the team to a couple of surprising wins amid another season of mediocrity. Prediction: Twelfth.
Virginia Cavaliers (14-15, 4-12 ACC)
Last season was another disaster for Virginia and coach Pete Gillen. With a talented young lineup, Gillen was under public pressure to win now. The team won early in the season, peaking with a blowout home win against Arizona, giving fans hope. But the Cavaliers stumbled in conference play after playing a brutal stretch to start ACC play. The team never recovered, and Gillen lost his job.
Seniors Elton Brown and Devin Smith were Virginia’s best players, but neither one was consistent throughout the season. By the end of the season, Virginia’s best player was a freshman – point guard Sean Singletary. The freshman from Philadelphia has the talent to dish assists to anyone anywhere, and he is developing a good-looking shooting stroke.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Devin Smith, 16.5 ppg
Rebounds: Elton Brown, 8.1 rpg
Assists: Sean Singletary, 3.9 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior forward Elton Brown (graduation): 12.8 ppg, 8.1 rpg
Senior forward Devin Smith (graduation): 16.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg
Key Players Returning:
Sophomore guard T.J. Bannister: 4.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 3.7 apg, 81.9 free-throw shooting
Sophomore forward Jason Cain: 2.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg
Sophomore guard Gary Forbes: 9.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Freshman forward Adrian Joseph: 4.2 ppg, 1.2 rpg
Freshman forward Donte Minter: 1.3 ppg, 0.5 rpg
Sophomore guard J.R. Reynolds: 10.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 82.1 free-throw percentage
Freshman point guard Sean Singletary: 10.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 77.5 free-throw percentage, 48 steals
New Additions:
Center Laurynas Mikalauskas
Shooting guard Mamadi Diane
Center Sam Warren
Projected Starting Lineup:
Forward Donte Minter
Forward Adrian Joseph
Guard Gary Forbes
Guard J.R. Reynolds
Point guard Sean Singletary
2005-06 Outlook:
Virginia will enter next season with a new coach and new attitude under former DePaul coach Dave Leitao. He helped the Blue Demons rise to the top of Conference USA, but that conference is vastly different compared with the ACC, and Leitao will not take the Cavaliers to the top spot right away. The Cavaliers will struggle early in the season while Leitao finds a rotation he likes. By conference play, Virginia will become more consistent as Singletary and the other guards, including T.J. Bannister, J.R. Reynolds and Gary Forbes, become one of the most prolific backcourts in the conference. But the weakness in the paint will prevent Virginia from moving higher than a spot or two out of the cellar. Prediction: Eleventh.
Looking Ahead: Boston College Eagles
Boston College is not yet a member of the ACC, but the Eagles will join this summer to become the 12th member of the conference. Therefore, it’s time everyone got to know Boston College a little better. Thanks to a 20-0 start, most people finally started paying attention to coach Al Skinner’s club. The Eagles are a classic Big East team with solid forwards and only decent guards, but everyone plays tough, physical defense.
Last season, the product was great as Boston College shared the regular-season title with Connecticut. Despite the hot start, the Eagles underachieved in the NCAA Tournament, losing to No. 12-seed Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the second round. That loss, however, could make the Eagles stronger because they have something to prove next season, especially in the ACC.
Team Leaders:
Scoring: Craig Smith, 18.0 ppg
Rebounds: Smith, 8.5 rpg
Assists: Louis Hinnant, 4.8 apg
Key Players Leaving:
Senior center Nate Doornekamp (graduation): 5.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg
Sophomore guard Steve Hailey (transfer): 3.3 ppg, 2.5 apg
Senior guard Jermaine Watson (graduation): 9.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 40.0 three-point percentage, 83.0 free-throw percentage
Key Players Returning:
Sophomore forward Jared Dudley: 16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 49 steals
Junior point guard Louis Hinnant: 5.3 ppg, 4.8 apg, 37 steals
Sophomore guard Sean Marshall: 11.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 38.9 three-point percentage
Junior forward Craig Smith: 18.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 45 steals
Freshman center Sean Williams: 4.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 63 blocks
New Additions:
Shooting guard Marquez Haynes
Point Guard Tyrese Rice
Power forward Evan Neisler
Projected Starting Lineup:
Center Sean Williams
Forward Craig Smith
Forward Jared Dudley
Guard Sean Marshall
Point guard Louis Hinnant
2005-06 Outlook:
Boston College is not the easiest team to break down because the Eagles play a style that few other ACC teams do. Boston College will run the team’s offense through the post with plenty of motion, but none of that is to free shooters on the perimeter; it’s to move the ball until someone slips loose inside for an open look or dunk. On defense, the Eagles are most comfortable in the half-court set and frequently deploy a 2-3 zone. With experienced stars in the post such as Dudley and Smith, Boston College should be able to dictate the pace of the game against many of the ACC teams that lack more than one good post presence. Boston College’s toughest opponents, ironically, may be the school’s former Big East foes, Virginia Tech and Miami. Prediction: Sixth.
