Tyler Hansbrough, UNC: You can't blame Psycho T for the Heels' two ACC losses. He finished with 28 points and 18 rebounds against Duke, and 17 and 14 against Maryland. His stats -- the league's leader in scoring and rebounding -- match his well-documented intensity. He also gets bonus points for being able to take a hit.

DeMarcus Nelson, Duke: Miscast as a shooter on previous Duke squads, the senior is thriving in Duke's new and improved offense, which allows him to create with dribble penetration. His on-the-ball defense and leadership have also been impeccable.

Greivis Vasquez, Maryland: In terms of point-rebound-assist production, he's the most valuable player in the ACC -- a better passer (he leads the ACC with 6.3 assists per game) than Hansbrough and better rebounder (5.2 per game) than Tyrese Rice.

Tyrese Rice, Boston College: The Eagles have slowed since an unexpected strong start but it's hard to argue with his stats -- 19.5 points, 5.0 assists -- or his value.

Greg Paulus, Duke: The nonconference portion of the schedule wasn't his finest, but the name of the team is "All-ACC." Paulus has been the best 3-point shooter on the best 3-point shooting team in the ACC. A team that also happens to be 8-0, which merits consideration when his competition for the final spot is on a 1-7 team.

SECOND TEAM

Sean Singletary, Virginia; A.D. Vassallo, Virginia Tech; Gavin Grant, N.C. State; Jack McClinton, Miami; James Gist, Maryland

COACH OF THE FIRST HALF

Mike Krzyzewski, Duke. Take your pick:

1. For going 8-0.

2. For equaling last season's ACC win total in half as many games.

3. For turning what could have been a negative -- diverting his time and attention from Duke to Team USA -- into a positive. By adapting parts of the styles from his Team USA coaching staff, Coach K has shown it's never too late to learn new tricks.

4. For going unbeaten without a true post player.

Either way, it all adds up to K's best coaching job since reaching the national title game in 1994.

GAME OF THE FIRST HALF

Duke 93, Maryland 84; Jan. 27 at College Park, Md.: Wayne Ellington's winning 3-pointer over Clemson gets more mileage on the highlight reel, but the Duke-Maryland game was everything the ACC once was and still has the potential to be.

It was more than great individual performances. It was a test of styles -- and of two intelligent coaches -- played at an outstanding pace in an equally outstanding environment.

PLAYER OF THE FIRST HALF

Tyler Hansbrough: Greensboro has already put Hansbrough's name on the conference POY plaque. Will national voters follow suit, or go with Psycho T's West Coast doppleganger, UCLA's Kevin Love?

FRESHMAN OF THE FIRST HALF

J.J. Hickson, N.C. State: Some perspective on the Wolfpack's 4-4 start -- it won five ACC games all of last season. Hickson may not be long for Raleigh, but Sidney Lowe's getting a team-leading 15.3 points and 8.2 rebounds out of the 6-foot-9 power forward while he has him.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Team -- Virginia: Sean Singletary chose seniority over the NBA, and the Hoos, who went 11-5 last season, are 1-7. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech lost its starting backcourt but made the turn at 5-3. Go figure.

Player -- Brandon Costner, N.C. State: An offseason knee injury knocked the Pack sophomore back, and he's been slow to adjust to life without Engin Atsur, who created Costner's offense in two-man pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop sets. This isn't the same player that dominated the 2007 ACC Tournament.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Team -- UNC: "American Gangster" -- with Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe -- figured to have too much star power to be ignored by Oscar voters. The Heels are quickly learning the same lesson. There's no shame in being 6-2, but both of those losses came at home.

Player -- Matt Causey, Georgia Tech: The NAIA transfer looks like he should be playing bass for Gym Class Heroes, not lighting up ACC point guards. Thanks to his mid-January outburst, the Jackets are hoping to play their way into the big tournament despite an 11-10 overall record.

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