ACC Basketball Action Saturday 1/16: Notre Dame @ Duke, Syracuse @ Wake Forest

Here are player ratings and recap for two games from this past weekend. The games featured Notre Dame and Duke in an uptempo shootout, and Syracuse trying to continue their climb after falling 0-4 in the ACC.

Tomorrow I'll have recaps for tonight's Big Monday matchup between Syracuse and Duke, and yesterdays Virginia @ Florida State game.

Notre Dame 95 @ #9 Duke 91

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

F Zach Auguste: 6.5

Auguste has made me look a little silly this year. I named him to my preseason First Team All-ACC team. He has become a much better rebounder this season, but hasn't taken the step forward offensively that I predicted. I believe I may have said he could average nearly 20 ppg this season. Sigh. Auguste struggled finishing underneath the basket (props to Plumlee). However, he was exceptional grabbing rebounds. He ended the game with 14. Auguste also grabbed an offensive rebound in the final seconds of the game following Demetrius Jackson's missed free throw, and proceeded to make both of his free throws to ice the game. Auguste finished the game with nine points.

F Matt Ryan: 4.5

Ryan started in place of Colson, but still only played 17 minutes, and I would like to assume Colson will go back to starting. Ryan failed to make a big impact on the game. He only took one shot, and missed it. He sat for the majority of the game, because Colson had an exceptional game.

F VJ Beachem: 3.5

Beachem was in foul trouble for most of the game. So, he too only played 17 minutes. Beachem averages 11 ppg, and has shot 44% from 3pt on the season. However, he was just one for three with no made three pointers in this game, scoring two points.

G Steve Vasturia: 8.5

Vasturia had a great game. He shot 8-16, and made four of six shots from 3pt range. He finished with 22 points. Vasturia not only shot well from beyond the arc, but also excelled driving to the basket, and finishing at the rim. Vasturia also finished the game with six rebounds, and four assists.

G Demetrius Johnson: 8.5

Despite shooting 39% from outside for the season, Jackson failed to make either of his 3pt attempts this game. He did however, shoot 10-14 from inside the arc, and had no difficulty driving to the rim all game. Jackson showed off an incredible ability to finish at the basket, even with Plumlee defending the basket, and doing so with either hand. Jackson scored 24 points total. He also had four assists. Jackson also had one of most amazing highlights of the game when he blocked seven foot Marshall Plumlee.

F Bonzie Colson: 10

Colson came off the bench when VJ Beachem initially got into foul trouble; he proceeded to absolutely dominate Duke on the offensive end. Colson looked like a star scorer, rather than a player who only averages 12 ppg. Colson was able to score in wide variety of ways. He started early by hitting mid range jumpers, used his strength to get inside, backed down Brandon Ingram from the post, drove baseline to the rim, scored after grabbing offensive rebounds, and even hitting a pair of three point shots. Colson finished the game shooting 12-19, 2-3 from beyond the arc, and 5-5 from the free throw line, scoring a combined 31 points. Colson also grabbed 11 rebounds, eight of which came on the offensive end.

G Rex Pflueger: 6

Pflueger stepped up this game, while Beachem had to be benched due to fouls. He played surprisingly well against Duke's stellar backcourt. Pflueger shot two of five, and scored seven points. He also dished a couple of assists. Pflueger also played surprisingly adequate defense, and his only rebound came in the final minutes of the game to give Notre Dame possession when Duke could have come back.

Team Rating: 7.33

This was the first time I have watched Notre Dame all season. Their offense performed the way I expected. Although, I think Zach Auguste is capable of being much more productive. However, I was impressed to see Notre Dame was the tougher, more physical team, and also won on the offensive rebounds, and during loose ball scrambles. This Notre Dame team is better than their record suggests, and they should continue to prove that moving forward.

Duke Blue Devils

C Marshall Plumlee: 6.5

Plumlee has had some explosive games this season, dominating the middle on defense, and getting a lot of easy looks on offense. However, this game is about what I typically expect from Plumlee: 8pt on 4-6 shooting, 9 rebounds, and a pair of blocks. He is proving to be one of the most productive centers in the ACC, and a consistent performer for Duke.

F Brandon Ingram: 8.5

Ingram played the best game I've seen him play since joining the Blue Devils this season. He created a mismatch against whoever Notre Dame sent out to guard him. He had a height advantage over Bonzie Colson, and shot over him. He had an athletic advantage over any of Notre Dame's remaining players, and took the ball to the paint with ease. Ingram showed a great ability to both finish at the rim, and hit a majority of his jump shots. He finished the game 7-14 from the field, and four for seven from 3pt range, scoring 25 points. Ingram struggled defensively against Bonzie Colson, who found it easy to both back Ingram down, and drive on him. Ingram picked up four fouls with more than 17 minutes still remaining in the game, and proceeded to sit for the next six minutes of the second half. Ingram did a great job upon returning to the game, and never picked up his fifth foul. Ingram does have some tools defensively due to his length and athleticism. He blocked three shots. He could be a really good defender once he puts on some more weight.

G Luke Kennard: 9

This was also the best I have seen Luke Kennard. Kennard has struggle at times this year to find his shooting stroke, especially from 3pt range. He stepped up on offense this game, and had the most productive game of his career. Kennard shot 10-15, and four of six from beyond the arc, for 30 points. He was just as effective shooting from mid range as he was from beyond the arc. Kennard is not a great defender though, and he typically defended Notre Dame's fifth scoring option (this game Beachem, Ryan, or Pfleuger).

G Grayson Allen: 7

Grayson quietly scored 18 points. He shot 5-11 from the field, and made two of his six 3pt attempts. The sophomore is really good driving to the basket, and drawing fouls. He added six points from the charity stripe. Allen also does well to distribute the ball after penetrating (often finding Plumlee after drawing the defender). He had six assists, and only one turnover this game. Allen however, is not a very good perimeter defender, and struggled especially against Steve Vasturia.

G Matt Jones: 5.5

Matt Jones has had to adapt to playing with emerging underclassman Luke Kennard and Grayson Allen. He now appears to be the closest thing Duke has to a point guard on their starting lineup. Jones is often the forgotten man on Duke's team, but he has scored double digit points in 13 of the team's 18 games. This game, he scored under 10 points though. Jones shot 3-8, making a couple of three pointers. He finished the game with 8 points in the game. He also had three assists.

G Derryck Thornton: 4

Thornton only played 14 minutes this game. His role has shrunk due to Kennard's emergence, and need for more minutes. Thornton didn't score this game, but had a pair of assists. He struggled on defense against both Demetrius Jackson and Rex Pflueger.

F Sean Obi: N/A

Did not play enough to qualify.

F Chase Jeter: N/A

Did not play enough to qualify.

Team Rating: 7.00

Duke has now lost their last two games, to Clemson, and now Notre Dame. Their offense rivals the best teams in all of college basketball when Ingram, Kennard, and Allen are on. However, their perimeter defense is subpar, and they really needed Amile Jefferson in this game. Notre Dame out-hustled Duke, and won the battle of the boards. One last note, does anyone remember when Chase Jeter was a top-ten recruit? That was three months ago.

Syracuse 83 @ Wake Forest 55

Syracuse Orange

C DaJuan Coleman: 6

Coleman had a lot of success in the first half. However, he picked up his fourth foul early in the second half, and did not return to the game. He made all three of his field goal attempts for six points. He added three rebounds, and two blocks. Coleman looked good defending the interior of the zone, and it appears he is becoming more comfortable there. I like him in the middle of the zone a lot more than I did at the beginning of the season.

F Tyler Roberson: 9

Roberson got into foul trouble early in the game, picking up three fouls in the first half. Then went the entire second half without fouling. Roberson had one of his better performances offensively. He shot 6-12 from the field, operating mostly inside, but also showed off his ability to make a face up jump shot. Roberson is a terrific rebounder, and grabbed 13 total rebounds, seven of which came on the offensive end. Roberson also played great defense, especially in the second half.

F Malachi Richardson: 5

Richardson had a great stretch the previous four games. He really came into his own offensively, shooting with more confidence, and doing a great job creating as well. However, he struggled to get going this game. Richardson only shot one of eight, and missed all four of his 3pt attempts. He scored just five points. Richardson missed time in the second half due to foul trouble.

G Trevor Cooney: 9.5

Trevor Cooney started the game hot, hitting three three-pointers. He continued to dominate the first half, before cooling off in the second frame. Cooney finished the game 7-14, and 6-11 from beyond the arc. He scored 25 points. Cooney also did an excellent job at the top of the zone, disrupting passing lanes, and preventing Wake Forest from getting the ball inside. He had three steals, and created a couple more.

G Michael Gbinije: 8

Gbinije struggled from outside. However, he was able to penetrate, and drive to the basket at will. He finished 6-11 from the field, but 0-2 from 3pt range, scoring fifteen points. Gbinije has been a high turnover point guard all season, and had four this game. That, unfortunately, is to be expected at this point. Gbinije, like Cooney his partner at the top of the zone, had a great defensive game. He also had three steals. Gbinije also grabbed eight rebounds.

F Tyler Lydon: 7

Lydon was more aggressive offensively this game than I've seen him in several games. Lydon will often pass or dribble even when he has an open look for three, but pulled the trigger as soon as he entered the game against Wake. Lydon finished the game 4-9, making three of his four attempts from beyond the arc. He had 11 points in just 18 minutes. Lydon did not have his best defensive game though, and quickly accumulated fouls. He left the game with four, and like Coleman, did not return.

Franklin Howard: 6

Howard got some extended playing time this game with several players in foul trouble. Howard had five points, and made his first 3pt field goal. Howard became Syracuse's primary ball handler whenever he entered the game, and finished the game with two assists and one turnover. Howard still needs to develop has a decision maker running the offense, but that's to be expected, considering he rarely plays.

C Chinoso Obokoh: 4.5

Obokoh had to come in to play 13 minutes under the basket, while Lydon and Coleman were in foul trouble. He is a good rim protector, and finished with three rebounds and a block. He also somehow managed to foul out in—again—13 minutes.

Team Rating: 7.43

Syracuse won in dominating fashion against Wake Forest. On offense, Syracuse is going to succeed when Gbinije and Cooney shoot over 50% from the field, and scoring a combined 40 points. They also played great defense, showing just how good this zone can be. They will need to be at their best against Duke on Monday.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

F Devin Thomas: 6

I have been anticipating Devin Thomas destroy Syracuse all season long. I really thought he was going to be able to smash the zone. He did an excellent job patrolling the high post against Duke, and being able to create his shot from the free throw line (either by making jump shots over the defense, or driving the ball into the paint). However, he was completely neutralized by Syracuse's defense, and had one of his worst offensive performances of the year. Credit to Cooney and Gbinije who did an excellent job of disrupting passes, and ensuring the ball didn't get inside. Thomas shot just two for six, and although he was fouled often, he made just five of his eleven attempts from the line. Thomas was effective on the defensive end, collecting ten defensive rebounds, 13 total, and also blocking two shots. He did so while only picking up two fouls all game.

F Konstantinos Mitoglou: 5

Mitoglou made a jump shot early in the game, then completely disappeared. He has a tendency of doing this. He played only ten minutes against Syracuse, but still picked up four fouls. Mitoglou destroyed Syracuse last season, but was unable to replicate the performance.

G Bryant Crawford: 3

So, apparently Crawford's statistics for the season are pretty good. However, I only see him when he is terrible, and completely irrelevant. (The three Wake games I've watched this season have been against Syracuse, Duke, and Rutgers). Crawford failed to make a field goal, and scored just one point. He had four turnovers in 17 minutes.

G Mitchell Wilbekin: 5

Sadly, this was the best game I have seen of Mitchell Wilbekin, who I thought could be a solid third scoring option for Wake this year. He shot two of six, and made one of his five 3pt attempts. So, he scored seven points. Wilbekin also did not turn the ball over (the team did 18 times), or get into foul trouble.

G Codi Miller-McIntyre: 4

CMM was another played who had a rough game. He shot just one of seven from the field, and finished with just six points. He, like Crawford, turned the ball over four times, although Codi at least played 30 minutes.

G Cornelius Hudson: 5.5

Hudson is an inconsistent shooter, and was just 1-6 this game, taking all of his shots from beyond the arc. He did grab three steals though, and turned the ball over only once.

F Greg McClinton: 6

Greg McClinton was actually fairly effective on the offensive end. He made two of three shots, and got to the line a few times to score six points. Perhaps Wake should have stuck with him.

G Rondale Watson: 4

Watson played 17 minutes, and missed all three of his shots (all from 3pt range). He did have a pair of steals and rebounds though.

C Doral Moore: 8

I had said in my preseason preview that Wake's most interesting lineup would consist of Doral Moore playing center, and Devin Thomas beside him at power forward, finally this game I got a chance to see this lineup in action. As I predicted way back when, it was their most effective lineup. Moore scored a career high 10 points, shooting three of four, and making four of five free throw attempts. Moore has little polish around the basket, but he is big (7'1), long, and surprisingly athletic. Syracuse has no one who can challenge him size wise, and he was taking advantage of that fact. Give me more Moore!

F John Collins: N/A

Did not play enough to qualify. Collins has been one of the most productive players off Wake's bench, and has definitely been their best reserve forward. However, he barely found playing time against Syracuse.

G Trent VanHorn: 3.5

VanHorn very quietly played eleven minutes. Somehow he managed to pick up three fouls in that time, while failing to make a field goal.

Team Rating: 4.80

Wake Forest played absolutely terribly against Syracuse. They simply could not figure out the zone. Wake was forced to shoot nearly 50% (20 of 43) of their shots from 3pt range. They shot just 10% from that range (32.6% overall). They also lost the rebounding battle. They also could not take advantage of their ample opportunities from the free throw line, making just 25 of 42 attempts (59.5%). They also could not stop Trevor Cooney outside, or Michael Gbinije inside. Unfortunately, Wake Forest can only really rely on Devin Thomas consistently, and when he struggles they have no one to step up for them. This was a really bad loss, and it will be difficult to overcome.