We’re approaching the mid-season of the conference basketball portion of the season, and we’re well past the mid-season of the season as a whole.
This is a good time to look at the ACC’s top ACC Coach of the Year Candidates.
Brad Brownell, Clemson
Clemson sits 16-4 (8-1) and atop the ACC standings. The Tigers were picked to finish 11th in the ACC, and have far exceeded expectations. At home, Clemson is especially tough at 11-0 where they’ve beat Penn State, Duke, NC State, and Wake Forest. Brownell has turned Hunter Tyson into a potential All-ACC player while navigating the injury to his best 3-point shooter Alex Hemenway. It’s not a slam dunk that Brownell wins the award when the season is over, but at the mid-season point, he’s the clear leader.
Tony Bennett, Virginia
Tony Bennett suffers from what all consistently successful coaches deal with. When they do well it is what is expected. Virginia was picked 3rd in the ACC preseason poll, and he’s met those expectations and even exceeded them in my opinion. Virginia got into the top 5 after an 8-0 start that included wins over Baylor and Illinois. They are the ACC’s highest ranked at #10 with a 15-3 (7-2) record and will probably be even higher when the next polls come out. The Hoos can still win the ACC, and if they do, Bennett makes a strong COY case.
Jeff Capel, Pittsburgh
3 weeks ago Jeff Capel may have been leading this chase. Pittsburgh was picked pre-season 14th in the ACC and his seat coming into the season was on fire. A 1-3 start didn’t help, but Pitt worked itself into an 11-2 (4-0) start before losing to Clemson at home. Since then Pitt has slipped to 13-7 (6-3), and while that’s still overall pretty solid especially without C John Hughly most of the year. The loss Saturday to Florida State does hurt. Given how low the Panthers were picked in the pre-season, Capel is on the radar screen, but it will some effort to overtake Brownell and Bennett.
Steve Forbes, Wake Forest
Wake Forest was picked 9th in the ACC’s preseason poll. Steve Forbes has the Deacs at 14-6 (6-3) and tied for third in the ACC. Earlier in the year the Deacs struggled to put quality teams away in the 2nd half even though there was a strong win at Wisconsin. Wake Forest recently did win 6 of 7, before getting beat by Virginia at home. Forbes probably trails Bronwell, Bennett, and Capel but we can’t forget him.
Others Considered
Jim Larranaga, Miami
If Miami can win the ACC Larranaga can win this award. He’s in the picture with a solid Hurricane team.
Kevin Keatts, NC State
If Keatts can get NC State to the NCAA Tournament, he’ll be considered. Wolfpack are in position at the moment.
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