In an exciting ACC showdown on Saturday, Syracuse secured a commanding victory over Delaware State with a score of 83-43. Similarly, Stanford showcased its strength by defeating Montana, 91-68, while Virginia Tech celebrated a thrilling overtime win against Providence at the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off, finishing 107-101.
Freshman Neoklis Avdalis made headlines with an impressive performance, scoring 33 points, along with five rebounds and six assists, sparking discussions about his potential future in the NBA. Virginia Tech’s win was especially noteworthy, with former Blue Devil Jaden Schutt contributing 10 points off the bench, helping to solidify the team’s early-season confidence.
Kiyan Karmelovich Anthony, son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, quickly gained a starting position after just two games, impressively contributing 19 points, three rebounds, and four assists while shooting 8-11 from the field, including 2-4 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Donnie Freeman, now back to full health, added 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists to the Hokies’ effort. Although Delaware State struggled offensively, shooting only 21.5 percent from the floor, Virginia Tech’s defense deserves commendation for this achievement.
Early indications suggest that the ACC is on track for a vastly improved season compared to last year’s lackluster performance. Teams such as Duke, UNC, NC State, Virginia, Miami, Syracuse, and Louisville are all showing strong potential. Notably, Stanford may also be emerging as a strong contender, with freshman Ebuka Okorie making waves by averaging an impressive 27.5 points per game. He recorded 9-17 shooting against Portland State, followed by an 11-16 performance against Montana, showcasing his prowess on the court.
As the teams take a brief pause until Monday, the upcoming games look intriguing, particularly Tuesday when Wake Forest faces off against #7 ranked Michigan, while Florida State goes head-to-head with Florida. The season is just getting started, and the excitement surrounding the ACC is palpable as teams strive for excellence.