With the last weekend of the regular season upon us, the AJC's Rana Cash hands out her ACC awards:
Player of the year
J.J. Redick, Duke. Already a lethal shooter, Redick became an even more dangerous player this season by expanding his game off the dribble and emerging as a solid defender. The nation's all-time free throw percentage leader, Redick led the ACC in scoring and 3-pointers made per game. He's one of only eight players nationally to put up more than 22 points a game and heading into Sunday's regular-season finale at North Carolina, he's averaging 28.8 points in five games against ranked opponents.
Coach of the year
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke. The Blue Devils were supposed to be hampered by a lack of depth. And they were, but Duke managed to play through it, largely because of Krzyzewski's coaching. Despite a multitude of injuries and illnesses (Sean Dockery, Shavlik Randolph, Reggie Love), Duke still maintained its status as one of the league's premier teams. Coach K used walk-ons and other little-used players to get Duke through difficult games.
Rookie of the year
Marvin Williams, North Carolina. Take a good look at the freshman forward now because at this time next year, he could be in an NBA uniform. The Tar Heels' 6-foot-9, 230-pound forward is just that good. He scored 20 points against N.C. State and was named ACC Rookie of the Week four times despite playing with a toe injury from mid-February on. Williams is second on Carolina in rebounding and scored in double figures 13 times in one 16-game stretch. He gets the nod over Cliff Hammonds (Clemson), Sean Singletary (Virginia), Andrew Brackman (N.C. State) and DeMarcus Nelson (Duke).
Game of the year
Several good candidates here - from Georgia Tech's 102-101 OT win over Wake Forest to Maryland's 75-66 upset at Duke to Wake's 95-82 thumping of Carolina, when the Demon Deacons went an ACC record-setting 32 of 32 from the line. But Duke's 71-70 win last month over Carolina steals the show. Redick scored 18 points, North Carolina turned it over 23 times and the Blue Devils kept the Tar Heels from getting off a shot at the end in this instant Tobacco Road Classic.
Play of the year
Sharrod Ford's dunk at the buzzer gave Clemson a significant victory over Virginia Tech in that the Tigers qualified for the NIT. But it wasn't as important as B.J. Elder's free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining at Florida State. Jarrett Jack kept Georgia Tech's hopes alive by throwing a blind pass back inbounds after fumbling the ball away. The ball landed in the hands of Elder, who was fouled as he went up for the shot. The win saved the Yellow Jackets from a sure dismissal by the NCAA tournament selection committee.
Most disappointing (so far)
Georgia Tech returned four starters from last year's national runner-up and started No. 3 in the national rankings. But the Yellow Jackets didn't come close to playing up to expectations, posting just one win of note (over Wake in OT). Tech made a late-season surge with everyone healthy, but still isn't assured of an NCAA invitation.
Most likely to go pro early
Although Chris Paul would be one of the first players picked if he entered the NBA draft, there's speculation that Wake's star sophomore will stay in school another year. The same can't be said for a slew of North Carolina Tar Heels. Coach Roy Williams may be overhauling his lineup if juniors Raymond Felton, Sean May and Rashad McCants all bolt, along with freshman Marvin Williams.
Most likely to be fired
Virginia's Pete Gillen is having a tough year in one of the nation's toughest conferences. The Cavaliers have won just four ACC games heading into the season finale against Florida State and are NIT-bound - at best. Four consecutive NIT berths - and one NCAA tournament trip in seven seasons - may cost Gillen his job.
