With about 6 weeks left in the ACC basketball season, the ACC COY race is really starting to take shape.
There are only four coaches that warrant any consideration. The top 3 ACC teams – Louisville, Florida State, Duke and their coaches Chris Mack, Leonard Hamilton, and Mike Krzyzewski are on that list.
Virginia Tech’s Mike Young took a Hokie team that was picked last in the ACC. He had them at 13-4 with a win against Michigan State, just a couple of weeks ago. Losers of 4 of their last 5 games, has Virginia Tech 14-8 though. At the moment I’d have Young trailing the top 3 ACC coaches, but he could get back into the chase if the Hokies can finish strongly. That means the Hokies probably need to get to 20 wins for Young to have a real shot at ACC COY.
Let’s look at the Mack, Hamilton, and Krzyzewski.
Mack’s Louisville team is 19-3 (10-1). Hamilton’s FSU team is 19-3 (9-2). Krzyzewski’s Duke team is 19-3 (9-2).
The ACC pre-season polls had Duke 1st, Louisville 3rd, and Florida State 5th.
It’s a bit unfair, but Krzyzewski is a victim of his own success. Predicted to win the ACC, and still right in the thick of the chase, he probably needs to win the ACC to overtake Mack or Hamilton.
With Mack and Hamilton, it’s splitting hairs. Louisville is leading the ACC, and is ranked 5th while FSU is second in the ACC and ranked 8th.
It’s close, but at the moment I’m giving Hamilton the slight edge. Florida State won at Louisville 78-65 on January 4 and for me with their resumes so close moves Hamilton slightly ahead.
It is certainly no lock though. Hamilton and Mack are virtually neck and neck. Krzyzewski can certainly still win it. Mike Young is not out of the picture, but to overtake all 3, he’ll need some kind of great finish.
Make sure you follow the All Sports Discussion Twitter account at @AllSportsDACC and please like our Facebook Page
Leave a Reply