No stars, no problem for Virginia, Miami

I’ll admit, when Virginia and Miami entered the ACC tournament without their respective leading scorers, that was one of the deciding factors for me to pick against them.

Instead, both teams saw unsung heroes step up and take control of their first round games.

First, it was Sammy Zeglinski hitting five three-pointers to lead Virginia past Boston College 68-62.

Next, it was Reggie Johnson hitting all eight of his shots from the field to lead Miami’s dominating 83-62 win over Wake Forest.

The amazing thing about both of those wins was the absence of Sylven Landesburg and Dwayne Collins.

Landesburg, the starting point guard for Virginia, was suspended indefinitely for academic reasons. Collins was out with a stress reaction in his tibia.

For the Cavaliers, it was an extremely surprising win considering they entered the game on a nine-game losing streak. Tony Bennett’s team played lockdown defense on the Eagles’ best offensive threat Joe Trapani, who scored only two points.

Jeff Jones also came up big for Virginia as he needed to. Jones hit three of five shots from behind the arc en route to a 14-point performance.

Mike Scott and Jerome Meyinsse both stepped up in the post as well, combining for 23 points. Scott also grabbed 13 rebounds.

In game two in Greensboro, Miami played zone defense most of the game, and it certainly perplexed Wake Forest. The Deacons shot 35 percent from the field in the loss. Al-Farouq Aminu, the star of the Deacons’ squad, scored 11 points, which was not enough production out of their best players.

The embarrassing loss for Wake could very well keep them out of the NCAA Tournament. Despite a strong non-conference slate that included wins against Richmond, Xavier and Gonzaga, Wake has lost five of its last six games, including one loss to each the 10^th, 11^th and 12^th place teams in the ACC.

The overall body of work is solid enough to make the field, but don’t be surprised if Wake gets robbed of a bid on Selection Sunday.

Previewing Wake Forest in the ACC Tournament -- Q & A with one of their own

Wake Forest opens their ACC Tournament tomorrow afternoon against Miami. After losing four straight games down the stretch, the Deacons won the season finale at home against Clemson to finish 9-7 in the ACC.

Though they seem to be comfortably in the tournament at this point, a loss to last-place Miami is something the Deacons can ill-afford.

Bart is a blogger for Wake Forest at http://www.bloggersodear.com/ and he agreed to answer some questions of mine leading up to the games in Greensboro.

The Playbook -- In the loss to Miami in the first matchup, Dwayne Collins went off for 23 points and 11 rebounds, what must Wake Forest do to keep that from happening Thursday?

Bart -- We had a tough loss down in Coral Gables and had plenty of chances to win that game including a shot by Ish Smith on the last possession of the game. In that game Dwayne Collins was certainly the spark for the Hurricanes and we are rather fortunate that most sources are indicating that Collins will either sit out our game because of injury or will be playing in a limited role. The key for the Deacs if Collins plays is to make sure that we don't allow him to front and get the ball because he has a deadly drop-step towards the baseline that our guys were unable to stop both times we took on the Hurricanes.

The Playbook -- After the Virginia Tech game and until the Clemson win, Al Farouq-Aminu seemed to disappear for those three losses. He was even held scoreless against Florida State. What happened to him, and did the Clemson game (18 points, 12 rebounds) show he is out of that funk?

Bart -- Aminu actually played very well against State in a loss, but other than LD not much of the team showed up and we lost that one. Aminu had 7 rebounds in the first 3 minutes of that game in Raleigh. He did disappear when we returned home to UNC and on the road against FSU and the key for Farouq is to avoid early foul trouble and avoid turning the ball over. Against both teams Aminu was trying to do more than he is comfortable doing in terms of being out around the perimeter and as such turned the ball over too much resulting in a loss of confidence. In Tallahassee he was in foul trouble and was just not able to get things going against their zone. The biggest difference between those two games and Clemson was his ability to hit the glass and get some garbage points. Farouq is one of the best offensive rebounders in the nation and has a great idea of where the ball is going to land to get second chance points. If Farouq is able to get on the glass, he is going to have a good game.

The Playbook -- Are these the final games we are seeing Aminu in a Deacons’ uniform?

Bart -- Aminu has not yet announced officially as to what he is doing next year, but all signs seem to indicate that he's not coming back. He has not said as much, but I would venture to say that most Wake fans are thankful that we got two years from Farouq and if he came back most would be shocked.

The Playbook -- Wake is next to last in the ACC in three-point percentage (31.7), and Miami is near the top (36.2). Wake is also first in three-point defense (28.3). How do you see Miami’s outside shot affecting the first round game?

Bart -- Miami is going to need to knock down some jumpers in order to keep the game close in my opinion. Wake has a lot of height on the team which makes perimeter shots tough as opposing guards are constantly having to shoot over a higher target than they are used to. Wake also does a good job of forcing shots from outside as the shot clock is winding down which certainly increases our defensive statistics. If Miami can make 8 threes they will have a good chance to win the game.

The Playbook -- Before the four-game losing streak, Wake Forest was a surefire lock for the NCAA Tournament. Throwing the ACC Tournament aside for a minute, make Wake’s case for why they should be in if the selection was made today.

Bart -- Wake has a top 35 RPI and has played a top 30 schedule in the country. We have gone on the road and defeated Gonzaga, as well as playing a very tough Purdue team close for 35 minutes on the road. We played Duke to a tie for 30 minutes in Cameron before fading at the end, and have been fantastic at home. Wake Forest clinched their bid with a win against Clemson on Sunday. 9-7 in the ACC as well as a top 35 RPI is not going to be kept out of the ACC tournament regardless of what happens in Greensboro this weekend.

The Playbook -- Handicap Wake’s chances to make a run in Greensboro.

Bart -- Wake has a good chance to make the weekend for the first time since 2006 when the tournament gets underway. A very favorable matchup against 12 seed Miami should get us through to the quarters where we get another shot at Virginia Tech, a team that many Wake fans feel we are better than. The game in Blacksburg is considered by many to be an aberration considering the free throw discrepancy between the two teams and the home court advantage that Virginia Tech had. Wake is salivating at the opportunity to play the Hokies again this year. If we do make it to Saturday I think we would be pretty tired going up against Duke in what is essentially the Duke Invitational, but anything could happen. We played them close for 30 minutes in Cameron and I see no reason why we couldn't challenge them on a neutral court if our perimeter shots are falling. Wake fans will be very disappointed if we lose on Thursday, many expect to beat the Hokies on Friday, and anything on the weekend would just be gravy for the Deacs.

Thank you for having me and good luck to the Hokies in this year's tournament!

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Many thanks to Bart for his help. Wake Forest and Miami tip off at approximately 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Once again, be sure to check out his blog at http://www.bloggersodear.com/!

Pro Prospects on display at ACC Tournament

Big fish are ready to say goodbye to small ponds in a month when college stars begin submitting their names to the NBA draft.

The Atlantic Coast Conference consistently lights up the board on draft night better than its peers. In the last three seasons, 13 former ACC players have been selected in the first round.

When the league convenes for its postseason tournament this Thursday, there are several prospects that will be looking to improve more than just their team’s NCAA Tournament outlook.

Al Farouq-Aminu (Wake Forest) Soph. SF 6-8, 205 lbs.

2009-10 Stats: 15.9 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 45.8 FG%

Aminu tested the NBA waters last season, before ultimately returning to Winston-Salem for his sophomore year. He is a consensus top-10 pick if he comes out this year, which he will be required to if he submits his name a second time.

His playing style may be better suited for the power forward position in the NBA. He lacks an outside jump shot, but his mid-range game is above average for a “4” at the next level. His outstanding athleticism shows there is plenty of upside for him entering the league. He has developed into one of the nation’s best rebounders this season.

NBA Comparison: Antawn Jamison

Solomon Alabi (Florida State) Soph. C 7-1, 245 lbs.

2009-10 Stats: 11.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.3 bpg

Alabi is an undeveloped transplant from Nigeria whose superb shot-blocking skills make him a potential first-round pick. He has room to add strength, which would help him tremendously at the next level. Scouts have spoken to his leadership ability as a huge attribute.

Where Alabi needs to improve the most is developing a low-post offensive game, and showing more effort on the boards. He is sliding down recent draft boards, however. His paltry average of six rebounds per game is a red flag for a seven-footer in the ACC.

Considering all the areas he has room to improve in, Alabi would be best served to return for a junior season and be a top-10 pick in 2011.

NBA Comparison: Samuel Dalembert

John Henson (North Carolina) Fr. PF 6-10, 200 lbs.

2009-10 Stats: 5.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg 14.4 min/game

I’ll admit it, a month ago I was in the minority opinion by saying Henson would be nuts to enter the draft. After the injury to Ed Davis in mid-February, I can see where Henson thinks heading out of Chapel Hill would be a good idea.

Take one look at him, and you’ll see he needs to find a weight room and stay in there for quite some time. However, the same questions were raised about Kevin Durant. Big difference: Durant was scoring 30 points a game in college, while mid-level posts in the ACC are abusing Henson.

He has shown in the final weeks of the season a distinct ability to block shots and grab rebounds. His problem at the next level would simply be getting destroyed by much more physical post players.

If he develops his body, he could be a future star in the NBA, but he probably needs another year or two at UNC before he is ready.

NBA Comparison: Josh Smith

Trevor Booker (Clemson) Sr. PF 6-7, 240 lbs.

2009-10 Stats: 15.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg

Booker is one of the most physical players in the country, which makes up for his lack of ideal height. Unfortunately for Booker, that height disparity will grow even larger in the NBA, and it will ultimately doom his career.

He made his name at Clemson by out-muscling his opponents. In the NBA, there will be nights when opposing shooting guards are taller than him. He simply has nothing close to the necessary perimeter game to play small forward in the pros.

To dispel the theory that his physical game will translate to the pros, take his numbers from last year’s game against North Carolina and Tyler Hansbrough – arguably the most physical player in college basketball this decade. In 28 minutes, Booker scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds. Let’s face it, Hansbrough wouldn’t be the biggest of his troubles in the NBA.

NBA Comparson: Jason Maxiell

Kyle Singler (Duke) Jr. SF 6-9, 235 lbs.

2009-10 Stats: 17.2 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 38.6% 3pt.

Singler’s outside shooting ability made him an impossible matchup for opposing power forwards. When Mike Krzyzewski moved him to small forward mid-season, he initially struggled. He rebounded from that slump to shoot the lights out, including an 8-for-10 performance from behind the arc against Georgia Tech.

Singler’s biggest problem is his athleticism and quickness on the defensive end of the floor. If he can improve that, he could become a decent role player at the next level.

He’s projected as no higher than a mid-to-late second round pick, but at that point in the draft, he’s one of the safer bets. In all likelihood, however, he will return for a senior season at Duke and a run at a national championship.

NBA Comparison: Hedo Turkgolu

Greives Vasquez (Maryland) Sr. PG 6-6, 197

2009-10 Stats: 19.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 6.3 apg

Vasquez is one of the ultimate tweeners in this draft. It’s just not clear whether he will play the point or shooting guard in the NBA. He has excellent attributes for both positions, along with serious detriments.

Let’s start with the strengths. At point guard, he has excellent court vision and is a strong passer. His length is a rare component in NBA point guards. He has the commanding respect of his team that reflects well on his leadership ability. As a two-guard, he is very good at penetrating into the lane, and is a physical defender.

Now the weaknesses. He is slow defensively at point guard, which he makes up for in college with his great length. He’s not very strong, which will give him problems on both ends of the floor at either backcourt spot. He needs to improve his jump shot significantly if he wants any hope of playing off the ball in the NBA.

NBA Comparison: Manu Ginobili

Malcolm Delaney (Virginia Tech) Jr. PG/SG 6-3, 170 lbs.

2009-10 Stats: 20.9 ppg, 4.2 apg

Delaney’s stock has fallen tremendously in the last month. His shooting percentages have plummeted in ACC play, which lost him any chance to be drafted this year as a shooting guard. He shoots more free throws than anyone else in the ACC, but has had trouble getting to the line in recent games. He needs to develop a more consistent offensive game to make it at the next level.

Like Vasquez, he has strengths and weakness at both guard positions. Delaney is ultra-quick with good floor vision and an excellent work ethic. He has been overpowered at times by more physical guards in ACC play, and can sometimes disappear for stretches of games.

He is another player who could shoot up draft boards if he stays in school one more year.

NBA Comparison: Jason Terry