Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Justin Jackson’s case for ACC Player of the Year

By Alec Lasley

Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) during introductions at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Nate Britt (0) during introductions at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 22, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) reacts to a no call in the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) reacts to a no call in the first half against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: John Collins (Wake Forest)

A name that most people may not know is the star of Wake Forest. The 6-foot-10 sophomore has made a huge jump in production from his freshman year.

Averaging 7.3 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game in only 14 minutes as a freshman on an 11-20 team, Collins is now fifth in the ACC in scoring at 19.1 points per game and second in the conference in rebounds at 9.1.

Collins has played his best against the best. He is averaging 18.2 points per game against ranked opponents, including a 31 point and 15 rebound performance in a five point loss to Duke.

Coming on very strong as of late, he has seven double-doubles in his last nine games and is averaging 24.2 points and 11.8 rebounds.

Only a three star recruit out of high school, Collins has made himself into one of the best players in the ACC and one of the best, but extremely underrated, big men in the country.

His improved play has made Wake Forest a fringe NCAA tournament team. As of right now they are on the bubble, but with a good showing to close out the season, they can get in.

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