Well, not putting Jones on there was a big gaffe on my part--his shotblocking was crucial to Tech's defense.  I still like Howard's defense over Hall's and Howard was given an honorable mention. 

Other Awards

 ** Player of the Year

Actual:                                                     

 Joseph Forte, UNC and Shane Battier, Duke                       

Rob:  

 Joseph Forte, UNC and Jason Williams, Duke

Comments:

 I had actually predicted a tie, just with one of the principals incorrectly selected.  Battier was an absolute rock down the stretch, playing well in a couple of games where Williams didn't.  In fact, it was pretty clear that Battier should have won the award unanimously as Forte really struggled towards the end of the year.  Battier was simply magnificent down the stretch, playing superb defense and stepping up his rebounding.

** Rookie of the Year

Actual:                                    

 Chris Duhon, Duke                 

Rob:

 Tony Stockman, Clemson

Comments:

 I wrote: "he [Stockman] could easily be supplanted [for ROY] if someone else gets hot in the second half."  Someone else did, and his name was Chris Duhon.  Starting with the Virginia game, he proved himself to be a reliable perimeter threat.  He hit the game winner against Wake Forest and was extremely poised in his first career start against UNC.  

 ** Coach of the Year

Actual:                                     

 Paul Hewitt, Georgia Tech      

Rob:

 Matt Doherty, UNC         

 Comments:

  Doherty's poor finish down the stretch, combined with Hewitt getting the overachieving Tech team into the tournament, meant Hewitt getting the prize.  Doherty seemed to have some problems getting his team to perform under fatigue as well as playing from behind.  He also had some trouble adjusting to the defensive schemes that Clemson implemented and others imitated.  Hewitt did a great job adjusting his preferred style to the personnel he had and getting a bunch of lightly-regarded recruits to step up.

 ** Defender of the Year

Actual: Shane Battier, Duke                

Rob: Shane Battier, Duke   

 Comments:

  It's shocking to me that some media outlets did NOT have Battier on their first-team all-defense ballots for the ACC, and it was ridiculous of the ACC Today to award this to Brendan Haywood.  Battier was not only in the top four in blocks AND steals in the ACC, but he played the best off-the-ball defense in the country.  No one could disrupt an offense like Battier.  Moreover, his versatility on defense was unmatched--he could play excellent post defense and then move over to harass the ballhandler.