ACC's Top 10 Players

SI Staff | Nov 4, 2010

ACC's Top 10 Players /

ACC's Top 10 Players

Joe Trapani

A consistent middle-of-the-paint presence for the Eagles each of the last two seasons, Trapani accompanies forward Corey Raji to form one of the ACC's most experienced frontcourts. He's totaled a steady 13.4 and 14.1 points per game since transferring from Vermont in 2007, and looks to better a BC team that finished a disappointing 15-16 in 2009-10.

Durand Scott

Scott tallied 10.3 points and 3.4 assists per game to garner ACC All-Rookie Team honors. His quickness suits him well as a slasher, but he needs to connect on a higher percentage of his threes: he shot just 27.6 percent from distance last season.

Jordan Williams

Williams seems poised for a breakout season in 2010, building off a strong freshman campaign: averaging 9.6 points and 8.6 rebounds despite playing only 24 minutes per game. The center was a key factor in the Terps' NCAA tournament first-round victory over Houston -- netting 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting -- and will need to continue to score in bunches with the graduation of standout guard Greivis Vasquez.

Tracy Smith

A technician with his back to the basket, Smith can beat defenders with a plethora of moves while stationed in the paint. His sound footwork creates plenty of opportunities on the block and he's effective at knocking down open jumpers -- making 52.4 percent of his field goals last year. His toughness also shines through on the glass, with Smith plucking 7.3 rebounds per game.

Chris Singleton

Singleton, one of the nation's best pure athletes, is a force to be reckoned with on the defensive side of the ball. He paced the conference in steals per game (2.3), ranked fifth in blocks (1.5) and 11th in rebounds (7.2) to earn ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. He only averaged 10.2 points per contest, though, and will need to be more of a threat on the offensive end for the Seminoles to make a run in what should be a pretty tough conference.

Kyrie Irving

Hyped as a natural playmaker, Irving should ignite the Blue Devils' offense in his highly anticipated freshman debut. His remarkable ball-handling ability and precision passing made him one of the nation's most coveted recruits, and the combination of Irving and Smith in the backcourt is a big reason why Duke tops the AP poll entering the season.

Nolan Smith

Known for his unselfish play and savvy basketball IQ, Smith was a key cog in Duke's half-court execution last year. He's at his best in clutch situations, serving as a potent scorer for the Blue Devils when they needed it most. Smith notched double figures in each of the team's six tournament wins en route to the program's fourth national championship.

Malcolm Delaney

The ACC's leading scorer with 20.2 points per game, Delaney passed on the NBA draft to return to a Virginia Tech team hungry for an NCAA berth. He spearheads a group that returns all five starters from last year's 25-9 squad that finished on the wrong side of the selection committee's bubble in March.

Harrison Barnes

The most hyped freshman in the nation heading into this season, Barnes immediately becomes North Carolina's centerpiece. After carrying Ames High School to back-to-back championships, he hopes to have a Kevin Durant-type impact for a Tar Heels team that finished an underwhelming 20-17 last year. In Roy Williams' fast-paced offense, Barnes should put up some pretty substantial numbers right out of the gate.

Kyle Singler

After winning the NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Player award in April, Singler returns to lead a Duke team that enters the season as a favorite to repeat. He'll look to improve on a campaign in which he averaged 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, posing a scoring option both under the basket and with his mid-range jump shot. He's also a potent three-point threat, shooting 39.9 percent from behind the arc in 2009-10.

Published Nov 4, 2010

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