NCAA Basketball: ACC'S Top 25 Players, No. 18, Reggie Bullock

While Harrison Barnes has stolen most of the headlines in Carolina’s 2010 recruitment class (for good reason, of course), Bullock should not be overlooked. Reggie “The Rat” Bullock is as solid as they get, but he is a bit of an oddity.

At 6’7", he’ll be the tallest and longest shooting guard in the conference. Yet, he’s primarily known for taking jumpers. In fact, he’s deadly from deep and potentially one of the top three-point shooters in the ACC as a freshman.

The problem is, he can be so much better. It’s a nice problem to have, I know. Like I said, at 6’7", he’s got four to six inches against most defenders. He can become dominant if he can do two things.

First, he needs to develop his ball-handling skills and improve his mid-range game (I know, technically those are two things, but I’m counting them as one). It’s stunning to me that these kids come in shooting better from three than two. He will learn quickly in the ACC, just like Andre Dawkins did last year, that you can’t just be a three-point shooter.

Second, he needs to learn some post moves. Again, he’s going to win the size battle against smaller shooting guards. He needs to take advantage of his size, and there is no better way than to back his defender into the post. If Bullock can create a consistent turnaround jumper from 10 feet away, you’ll be using words like unstoppable one day.

The only question heading into this season will be the amount of time Bullock will actually have on the floor to develop his game. Carolina has an odd lineup this season which is going to require some creative coaching from Roy Williams.

Last year the Tar Heels were the weakest at the guard spot, so as long as Bullock doesn’t have cement feet on defense, he should start. However, it’s not like Coach Williams is going to forget about players like Leslie McDonald and Dexter Strickland (who should play more SG with both Drew and Marshall running the point).

Fact is, I’d be shocked if Bullock averaged more than 22 minutes per game. This doesn’t leave a lot of time to develop on the court, especially when much of the offense will ride through Barnes. I suspect Reggie will stick to what works, launching threes from deep and working the glass from the guard spot (he averaged 11 rebounds per game as a high school senior).

In the end, he’ll wait for Barnes to go after one season, then become Carolina’s No. 1 scoring option in 2011-2012.

#19 – MASON PLUMLEE, FORWARD – DUKE

#20 – C.J. HARRIS, GUARD – WAKE FOREST

#21 – SETH CURRY, GUARD – DUKE

#22 – SEAN MOSLEY, GUARD – MARYLAND

#23 – JOE TRAPANI, FORWARD – BOSTON COLLEGE

#24 – MIKE SCOTT, FORWARD – VIRGINIA

#25 - IMAN SHUMPERT, GUARD – GEORGIA TECH