With conference play under way, I figured I’d mix it up and put a spotlight on the hot/cold trend with our new “Who’s Hot? Who’s Not?” weekly segment. Each week I will highlight a team and player who are on a hot trend and a cold trend to put a little spotlight on those doing well and those who can improve.

So without further adieu…

Team: Virginia

Record (Last 10 games): 10-0

Sitting at a comfortable 5-0 in conference play so far, it’s hard to see Tony Bennett and #UVA not winning the conference regular season title this year. Defense has set the tone for the #UVA all year. The Cavaliers are 2nd in the #NCAA in points allowed (50.6 ppg) and have held their opponents to an average of 34.1% shooting from the field.

Two conference wins have already come on the road for the Cavaliers against Miami & Notre Dame. #UVA still has to face Louisville twice, Syracuse, North Carolina, & Duke but right now, they look like the early favorite to win the regular season conference title. They could also be a heavily favored 1 seed entering the NCAA Tournament come March as well. Look out!

Player: Trevor Lacey

Conference Stats: 16.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 50% FG, 46.2 % 3-pt FG

At 13-6, 4-2 in conference play, Mark Gottfried and #NCState have picked up where they left off in terms of success despite the early departure of  TJ Warren. The recent efforts of junior #Alabama transfer Trevor Lacey make it looks as though the Wolfpack have nothing to fret over though.

Lacey is averaging 17.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, and 3.2 apg for the Wolfpack on the season and has scored in double figures in 5 of the last 6 contests for the Wolfpack. As the Wolfpacks leader in ppg so far, expect Lacey to have a big role in any success for this team going forward.

Team: Florida State 

Record (Last 10 Games): 6-4

If you’re Leonard Hamilton that seat has to be getting a bit warmer if the season goes on like it has. After opening the season with a home victory over Manhattan, the #Seminoles lost three straight home games. The #Seminoles are 2-4 in conference games so far and they’ve looked out of sorts all season for the most part. They are shooting 26.7% from the 3-pt line and 66% from the free throw line in #ACC play.

The #Seminoles beat Florida then lost to Mississippi State three days later, so the season has certainly been an interesting one. This would mark the third straight season Florida State has missed the NCAA Tournament. One would expect some changes to occur soon in Tallahassee if the decline continues. A road victory at #Clemson could right the ship for the #Seminoles, who held the Tigers to just 34% shooting from the field.

Player: Wayne Blackshear

Conference Stats: 12.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 39.4 % FG, 31.0% FG

Wayne Blackshear’s minutes are up this season but his offensive efficiency is down. He shot just 20% (2-10) in a rare home loss this past Saturday to Duke including 0-5 from 3-pt range. While this certainly isn’t a personal vendetta against him, it’s Blackshear’s playmaking ability that has been missed the most in the past few contests for #CardNation. After all, where has this Wayne Blackshear been all season?

It remains to be seen but, #CardNation has struggled on offense in their big games. An improved Wayne Blackshear could certainly help a #CardNation squad that is currently 1-3 against ranked opponents on the season, especially if they want to go far in the NCAAs come March.

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