ACC Roundup - Big John Collins Is Coming On Fast

He has a lot to learn, largely about avoiding fouls, but there’s no denying the impact that John Collins is having as a sophomore: Wake’s young big man is averaging 17.6 ppg and 10 rpg. He’s also shooting 63.5% which you’d expect from a post player, but still. He’s really coming on fast.

He’s doing that in about 23 mpg incidentally.

He had 22 and 15 against Charlotte in 21 minutes. When he figures it out he’s going to be impossible.

Wake shot 54% overall. Bryant Crawford shot 6-9 for 15 points. Keyshawn Woods, who started out at Charlotte, finished with 12 on 5-9.

Wake still let an inferior team shoot 45% so defense is still an issue.

Danny Manning and Charlotte coach Mark Price are old NBA acquaintances.

Speaking of defense, ECU scored 53 points against Virginia. Somebody needs to investigate. Virginia may be losing its aura.

The Pirates only managed 36.7% so all is not lost and Virginia did hold ECU to a 20 point first half.

Freshman Kyle Guy, who is gunning for America’s best Zippy The Pinhead impression, had 13.

London Perrantes had 12 as did Marial Shayok.

Speaking of defense, FSU is getting it cranked back up again. Check out the last three games:

• Minnesota: 32.2%
• George Washington: 22.6%
• Southern Mississippi: 30.2%

However, the ‘Notes also hit 14 threes and shot 60%. PJ Savoy was fair off the bench with 27. Not bad for a guy averaging 3 ppg!

It’s pretty early, but Fort Wayne has proved itself an authentically dangerous team: aside knocking off Indiana, the Mastodons gave Arkansas a good game. Notre Dame had a 27 point lead which Fort Wayne cut down to nine in the closing minutes. That’s impressive, not least of all on the road.

The Irish have shot free throws well all season and this game was no exception: Notre Dame shot 20-23 from the line.

Fort Wayne? Just 8-23.

Miami nearly doubled up South Carolina State, winning 82-46.

Bruce Brown dedicated the game to his uncle, Edward Dillard, who died earlier in the day. He had 11 points and 11 boards.

Miami’s D was solid too: SC State managed just 29%.

On Wednesday, there are some dog games - Virginia Tech and UMES for one - but a couple of interesting ones as well.

Georgia Tech takes on VCU in Richmond, a game the Yellow Jackets will probably lose, but kudos for scheduling it on the road.

Harvard has made a habit of beating BC and we’d be really surprised if the ACC team reversed that this season.

Finally, Davidson visits UNC. The Heels should win, but Davidson is supremely well coached and always ready to play.

• Ratcliffe: Guy shows he can contribute more for Cavs
• Virginia Down East Carolina 76-53
• Virginia bounces back, blasts East Carolina
• Opportunity awaits UNC’s Seventh Woods
• Davidson’s Jack Gibbs, one of the nation’s top guards, aiming for another shot against UNC
• Is it time for UNC to address the elephant in the arena?
• Wake Forest defeats Charlotte 91-74
• Matthews steps up his play for Georgia Tech