#4 DUKE:
Strengths: JUST THAT GOOD! One of the most exciting teams in the entire country. Star power personnel with sophomore All American candidates Alana Beard and Iciss Tillis. At 5'11, Beard is one of the top five guards in the country, plays blue-collar with or without the ball and puts up numbers at both ends. Instinctive yet analytical, Beard plays inside Duke's up tempo system. Leads the ACC in scoring, assists, field goal percentage and steals. Tillis does at 6'4 what most women with size can't do. Shoot the three, take it off the rim and handle in the full court and score in the low post with her back to the basket. Balanced, versatile, talented and all eight players can shoot the three. On a mission to three-peat as ACC Tournament Champions and not going to be satisfied until they are back in the Final Four.
Weakness: None that conference play exposed. Sweep of the ACC regular season. Team speed and athleticism neutralizes lack of a consistent low post banger.
#19 NORTH CAROLINA:
Strengths: Speed, athleticism, and basketball skill between the lines. One of the top scoring backcourt combos in the country with junior Coretta Brown and senior Nikki Teasley combining for 32 ppg. At 6'6 sophomore center Candace Sutton anchors the middle and allows UNC to create match-up nightmare for ACC frontlines. Strong transition team that crashes the offensive glass.
Weakness: At times, settles for the jump shot or three pointer instead of taking it to the rim. Not afraid to try and outscore opponent with tempo taking quick shots.
VIRGINIA:
Strengths: Biggest surprise of the ACC. Freshman pivot Brandi Teamer is a "gamer." Teamer has Duke's Iciss Tillis-like versatility, but built for low block power game. Senior guard Telisha Quarles is the leader and decision maker to go to with her perimeter scoring skills. (Insert Name Here) providing scoring every game and on different nights late into the season. The reason for the "insert name here" is that different Cavalier players have stepped on different nights. That sets up problems for opposing coaches when it comes to defensive strategies.
Weakness: ACC Tournament inexperience on the floor but not on the sidelines.
CLEMSON:
Strengths: Battle tested backcourt experience. Junior Chrissy Floyd is the Juan Dixon (Maryland All American guard) of ACC Women's hoops. Smooth shooting stroke. Quicks with the ball. Senior Krystal Scott brings power to the point guard position. Both can invert to the block to provide needed points in the paint. 5'11 senior Marcie Glenney may be the most versatile player ever to wear Clemson Orange. Team defends you with a physical mind-set.
Weakness: Frontline scoring at times non-existent. Rebounding an ongoing challenge.
GEORGIA TECH:
Strengths: Hard Hat and lunch pail work ethic for 94 feet. Senior Milli Martinez is the toughest perimeter defender in the ACC when applying the "Milli Mask." Straight Jacket defense includes man, zone and junk. Legit in low block with emergence of go-to 6'4 junior center Sonja Mallory.
Weakness: Number two team in the ACC until lost junior point guard Nina Barlin to ACL. Barlin, number two in the country in assists. In search of emotional recovery and point guard playmaking into the post season.
NC STATE:
Strengths: Combo frontline skills with size and quickness. 6'3 red shirt sophomore Kaayla Chones tough on the block. 6'0 senior power forward Talisha Scates is the best post defender with press-breaking ball-handling skills. 6'1 junior Carisse Moody was leading scorer before injury set her back. A preseason top 10 team decimated by injuries and personnel changes.
Weakness: Consistent outside scoring a question as NC State waits out freshman Rachel Stockdale's ACC learning curve.
WAKE FOREST:
Strengths: More athleticism than ever before for Charlene Curtis. Tonia Brown is downtown with her three point shooting abilities. Enough length on the frontline to cause problems. Sophomore Eafton Hill is one of the best players you haven't heard about in the ACC. Will be a "tough out" based on last year's experience in the tournament. As the nine seed, took the number one seed Duke to OT.
Weakness: At times cannot score. Lack big game playmaking abilities.
MARYLAND:
Strengths: The biggest surprise in the ACC for all the wrong reasons.
One of the hardest working frontlines in the business. Senior DeeDee Warley is a physical presence and a consistent low block scorer. Senior Marche Strickland mixes the three point scoring abilities with a smooth mid range game off the dribble.
Weakness: Inconsistent backcourt play. Tools have been there all season. Chris Weller has won more ACC titles (8) than anyone else. Pride may be the most dangerous emotion opponents will face in the Tournament.
FLORIDA STATE:
Strengths: Triple-headed perimeter scoring attack from Senior April Traylor, junior Nikki Whiting and sophomore Tasheika Morris. Dangerous open court team with enough skill and size to play half court game. High school All American center Genesis Choice has found the "light switch" in February.
Weakness: Inconsistency. Higher expectations from the record setting season last year makes the disappointing season that much stronger.
