ACC Basketball's Midseason Report

Midseason coach of the year: Tony Bennett, Virginia Cavaliers

This was close call between Maryland's Gary Williams and Virginia's Tony Bennett. I'm giving the edge to Bennett, though. Virginia wasn't in anyone's predicted top three in the conference, but that's exactly where they find themselves at 14-6 (5-2). Bennett has instilled a tough, hard-nosed attitude on a team that is finding ways to win despite its shortcomings in talent.

Best Team of the First Half: Duke Blue Devils

I have to go with the Duke Blue Devils on this one. At 18-4 (6-2) and the lead the ACC, they are undefeated at Cameron. They've struggled on the road, but have beat Connecticut and have a 42 point win over a good UNC Charlotte squad. If Kyle Singler can continue to shoot like he did in the Georgia Tech game, scoring 30 while going 8-for-10 from three-point range, then Duke will be really tough to beat. In a year where the ACC lacks a dominant team, the Dukies are the best of the bunch.

Most Surprising Team of the First Half: Virginia Cavaliers

Going back to Virginia here. Did you know that the Cavaliers lead the ACC in scoring defense, giving up only 60.9 points? They are also second in the ACC free throw shooting at 74.4 percent. That's winning with solid defense and good fundamentals. It doesn't hurt that Sylven Landesburg is one of the best players in the conference. He's averaging 17 points a game. This was the team that was thought to be a year or two from competing in the ACC. The Cavs had other ideas.

Most Disappointing Team of the First Half: North Carolina Tar Heels

This is an easy call here. It's North Carolina. The defending national champions are 13-9 and stand at an ugly 2-5 in the ACC. The Heels were expected to be down after the departure of players like Tyler Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, and Ty Lawson, but they shouldn't be this bad. The guards Larry Drew II and Marcus Ginyard have, at best, been inconsistent and, at worst, down right poor. Coach Roy Williams is searching for answers.

Best Player of the First Half: Jon Scheyer, Duke Blue Devils

Jon Scheyer of Duke gets my vote. I've never felt Scheyer was a natural point guard, but he's doing a great job running the Blue Devils offense. He's in the top five in the ACC in scoring and assists and is the conference's leading free throw shooter. If he weren't at Duke they'd have three or four more losses than they do now.

Who's Going to Make the NCAAs

Duke Blue Devils, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Maryland Terrapins, Clemson Tigers, Florida State.

Either Virginia Tech Hokies or Virginia Cavaliers will be ACC's seventh team.

Second Half Predicted Finish

1) Duke Blue Devils; 25-6 (12-4)

2) Maryland Terrapins; 21-9 (11-5)

3) Wake Forest Demon Deacons; 21-7 (11-5)

4) Virginia Cavaliers; 18-11 (9-7)

5) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets; 21-9 (9-7)

6) Clemson Tigers; 20-10 (8-8)

7) Florida State Seminoles; 20-10 (8-8)

8) Virginia Tech Hokies; 21-9 (8-8)

9) North Carolina Tar Heels; 17-13 (7-9)

10) Boston College Eagles; 15-15 (6-10)

11) NC State Wolfpack; 17-14 (5-11)

12) Miami Hurricanes; 18-12 (4-12)

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