Keeping It Heel
Fansided

ACC Basketball: Preseason All-ACC team

By Brandon Griffin

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) celebrates after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) celebrates after beating the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) drives to the basket against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Justin McKie (20) and guard Duane Notice (10) during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Greenville, SC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Grayson Allen (3) drives to the basket against South Carolina Gamecocks guard Justin McKie (20) and guard Duane Notice (10) during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Shooting Guard

Whether you hate him, think he is overrated, dirty, or just a big baby, Grayson Allen is a talented player. He may not be best player in the nation, as some ESPN analysts may suggest, but he is still good enough to warrant consideration for All-ACC first team.

Allen’s junior season is nothing to write home about. It was marred with dirty plays, suspensions, and just overall poor play. If Allen produces another year like that, this pick will be a joke, much like last season’s.

However, the reason he was picked last season was because he was that good as a sophomore. If Allen approaches the 21 points and 41 percent shooting from three he had that year, then he may be too low on this list.

Since either is possible, fourth makes the most sense. His and Duke’s future both depend on which player he becomes this upcoming season.

Other Candidates: Jerome Robinson (Boston College) and Josh Okogie (Georgia Tech)

Both Robinson and Okogie were pleasant surprises for their teams last year. Robinson returns his junior season as the teams leading scorer and play maker.

Along with Ky Bowman, Robinson will look to improve on his team’s 2-16 ACC record. If he does, and increases his scoring, he may be a surprise addition.

Mar 28, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Josh Okogie (5) drives to the basket past Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners forward Jaylin Airington (11) during the first half in the semifinals of the 2017 NIT Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Josh Okogie (5) drives to the basket past Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners forward Jaylin Airington (11) during the first half in the semifinals of the 2017 NIT Tournament at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Okogie was a freshman sensation for a surprise Georgia Tech team that almost made the NCAA Tournament and finished as runner-up in the NIT Tournament. Like Robinson, Okogie led his team in scoring as a freshman.

Along with Robinson, if Okogie improves his game and helps get the Yellow Jackets to the NCAA Tournament, he too could be looking at some high honors from the ACC.

Freshman Hopeful: Jalek Felton (North Carolina)

Felton is the nephew of former Tar Heel point guard, Raymond Felton. As is the case in most seasons, UNC has a lot of upperclassmen talent, particularly on the wing.

However, with post play being a question mark, it may open up some small ball opportunities for Felton to shine.

Home/UNC Basketball