2022 ACC Tip-Off: Women’s Basketball Breakdown 

By: Joe Dillard Jr.

Women’s hoops for the upcoming ACC season appears to be in good hands as we come into another season where the women continue to carve out a spot for themselves on the big stage we have a deep group this season with multiple teams improving while others looking to maintain their dominance in the conference. Remember a time when it was hard to win on the road in the ACC? When if you lost a home game it could cost you big time. Well, we are right there again with the top 5 teams that did not lose more than 2 games at home. If you intend to compete in the ACC, you will have to defend the home court and steal a couple of roads wins to crack into this top 5. Unfortunately, 3 of the top 5 teams ended their season with the former UVA star Dawn Staley leading the Gamecocks of South Carolina. From UNC to NC State to Louisville all left with the same taste in their mouth of defeat by eventual National Champion Lady Gamecocks of South Carolina. As we mentioned the top 5, understand the conference has a bunch of teams looking to contend and earn an NCAA tournament bid. But for right now let’s dive into the top 5 and see how they will look.

Led by the 32-4 (17-1) Lady Wolfpack who look to continue their dominance in the ACC by reloading, Wes Moore head coach will have a diamond in the rough waiting for her turn. Diamond Johnson, a transfer from Rutgers came off the bench last season and was second in scoring. High energy and basketball I.Q. will be on the grand stage as she will lead Wolfpack on offense who led the ACC in three-point percentage at 36 percent. The up and down fast past play of the wolfpack will be a staple they will try to continue as they come off an Elite 8 appearance. Right behind the Wolfpack is the Lady Cardinals of Louisville led by Jeff Walz who went 29-5 (16-2) with a marvelous run to the Final Four but will be put to the test with 3 of the top 6 scorers gone. Led by Hailey Van Lith (14.3ppg), who has averaged double figures in her freshmen and the sophomore campaign will look to continue leading the way. Led by Courtney Banghart the Lady Tarheels 25-7 (13-5) look to grow off a great season with growth in stock. Led by Deja Kelly who was 4th in scoring (16.4) and first in free throw percentage with 85 percent from the line will have a Swiss army knife with her in the form of Kennedy Todd-Williams who can play the one thru the five and will be a matchup problem looks to lead the Lady Tarheels deeper in the tournament as they were ousted by South Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen.

The Lady Fighting Irish 24-9(13-5) led by Niele Ivey had a great run last season with a split against the Lady Wolfpack winning by 3 at home but losing the bigger game by 3 in the Sweet Sixteen. When a conference is beating one another in the Sweet Sixteen and further it is a testament to the strength of the conference hint. With second-year point guard, Olivia Miles returning as the ACC leader in assists by more than 3 assists per game to the second best will look to erase some of the turnovers and improve on what was an amazing freshmen season for the Fighting Irish leading them in scoring with 13.7 per game. As Miles will look to spread the ball more, we will see who can fill the shoes of Maya Dodson who was the second-leading scorer however they had 5 players in double figures last season and there is no reason to think It will not be done again with a more experienced leader in Miles. So yes, that was the top four and I could just give you the fifth and move on but why when the sixth thru ninth seeds were only separated by one game? This is what will have the conference well represented in the NCAA tournament if a couple of these teams can improve and win the games they are supposed to win. With that said your Lady Hokies of Virginia Tech finished the season 23-10 (13-5) but got hot at the right time in the ACC tournament beating UNC to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament led by Kenny Brooks. Coming off a disappointing loss to Florida Gulf Coast was just the tip of the iceberg as there is so much to look forward to with the Lady Hokies showing promise in many areas. The anchor of the team is Elizabeth Kitley who averaged 18.1 points per game (second), and 9.8 rebounds per game (second) and led the ACC in field goal percentage shooting 55.1 percent from the field. along with Georgia Amoore who led the conference in a three-point percentage of 40 percent will add a great one-two punch but with many returners looking for the Lady Hokies to make a bigger splash in the ACC this season. Well it’s going to be a great season as we wish all the ball players success this season