Like we did with College Football, where we periodically checked in on the ACC COY race we are going to the same with College Basketball. It should have been NC State’s Dave Doeren in the fall, but the ACC media didn’t agree. Will they agree this time? Who are the contenders?
Leonard Hamilton – Florida State
Since January Florida State has been by a considerable margin the ACC’s best team going 9-2, and looking dominant in most games. At 14-4 (10-3), they are in position to win the ACC regular season title. They’ve managed to do this while going through 2 COVID pauses. Pauses that Leonard Hamilton has handled as well as coach in the country. If the Noles finish the season as ACC regular season champion, Hamilton has to be considered an ACC COY Candidate.
Brad Brownell – Clemson
Wednesday saw Clemson lose to Syracuse, but it was their first loss in over a month. The Tigers were picked to finish 10th in the ACC, and they are currently 15-6 (9-6) and a stone cold lock to make the NCAA tournament. Clemson has non conference wins over Alabama, Purdue, and Maryland. They defeated Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina and Georgia Tech too. Take out the two week struggle and the end of January after a COVID pause, and Clemson has played the majority of the season like a top 15 team. Brownell has done a really nice job this year.
Mike Young – Virginia Tech
The Hokies were picked to finish 11th in the ACC, and all Mike Young has done is lead Virginia Tech to a 15-5 (9-4) record. They have the ACC’s best non-conference win over Villanova, and have not lost back to back games the entire season. In just Young’s second season Virginia Tech is headed to the NCAA tournament.
Leader – Mike Young
I’m not sure there’s a scenario where Mike Young can’t win the ACC COY. As Virginia Tech is on pause, they can’t lose anymore game. If Virginia Tech had played these cancelled games in the last 3 weeks FSU (twice), UNC, Louisville, and NC State would Young still be the odds on favorite? We’ll never know, but Young built enough equity prior to the cancellation it’s difficult for other candidates to make up ground. There is the remote chance if Florida State wins the ACC regular season for Leonard Hamilton, but realistically even that’s not enough. Mike Young is probably winning this award.
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