The title here is a little misleading, but I'm all for uniformity. To say the names that follow are the best defenders in the ACC isn't true, because I'm going to (shockingly) list a few Tar Heels here. And North Carolina ranks 208th nationally and ninth in the conference in points allowed. Maybe I've just pinpointed what is keeping the 'Heels from being an elite team. Lots of individual defensive talent, but not a coehesive unit.
Before moving on, I want to give a shout out to some of the second tier defenders. I had the pleasure of watching St. Joseph's C.J. Aiken last week at Richmond. He had the most impressive two-block performance I've seen in a while, because I could have swore he had at least six. He's a difference maker inside, as teams refuse to go at him. And the Spiders' Darrius Garrett isn't too shabby in his own right. Aiken ranks fourth nationally, and Garrett sixth, and while I saw Garrett's record setting 14-block performance last season, these two go about their business in different ways. Personally, Aiken is considerably more intimidating. Finally, I want to recognize a guy who you've probably never heard of; VCU's Briante Weber. The freshman guard is the best on-the-ball defender I've seen in quite some time. He's averaging 2.4 steals, the 14th highest total nationally, yet is only playing 20 minutes. Yes, I just said if he played an entire game, he'd average nearly five thefts.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program. You wouldn't have guessed the ACC played defense, but come to find out, four teams rank in the top 42 in points allowed.
John Henson, forward, North Carolina Tar Heels
This one is almost as easy as including Anthony Davis on the SEC list. Henson blocks 3.2 shots nightly, the eighth highest total nationally. It's also the exact same average he had a season ago, and he's played just one game this season where he failed to register a rejection. There isn't much else that needs to be added here.
Reggie Bullock, guard, North Carolina Tar Heels
Bullock has started the last four games for North Carolina, and has two steals and no blocks in that span. His defensive contributions aren't noticeable to his fantasy owners, but they sure are noticeable to the owners of his matchups. Bullock has guarded opposing teams' leading scorers in all four starts, and has simply shut them down. North Carolina State's Scott Wood: 11 points, 4-for-12 shooting, Georgia Tech's Glen Rice, Jr.: four points, 2-for-7 shooting, Wake Forest's C.J. Harris: 19 points, 5-for-11 shooting, and Maryland's Terrell Stoglin: 20 points, 8-for-21 shooting. That's a combined 37.2% (19-for-51) and enough of a track record that you have to consider sitting players in daily leagues when matching up with Bullock. I thought the 'Heels were supposed to miss Dexter Strickland's defense?
Shane Larkin, guard, Miami Hurricanes
Larkin is a feast-or-famine type of defender, at least as far as statistics go. He's leading the ACC with 1.85 steals, but has failed to record a theft in five games, and has just one steal in nine other outings. Those valleys are met with peaks of six steals twice, and three steals four different times. Larkin has seen his minutes spike in the 'Canes last two games, and defensive statistics haven't directly followed, but offense has, and that factor is making him more of a worthy consideration in fantasy circles than he previously was.
Bernard James, forward, Florida State Seminoles
Georgia Tech's Daniel Miller and Wake Forest's Carson Desrosiers both average more blocks than the 'Noles forward, but I find James to be a considerably greater intimidator on defense. Apparently his conference foes disagree however, as James has just 11 blocks in eight league games, failing to record a swat against the Tar Heels vaunted front line. The 'Noles are a physical bunch, and James is the anchor to their stingy defense that gives up just 62 points per game. Their also peaking right now, and I expect James' numbers to benefit as a result.
Jontel Evans, guard, Virginia Cavaliers
It would be pretty silly to not include at least one Wahoo, as the Cavaliers play terrific team defense. They rank 35th nationally in points allowed, and can thank the play of Evans and fellow guard Sammy Zeglinski, both of whom are in the top six in the conference in steals.
Andre Young, guard, Clemson Tigers
I may have snuck the best defensive fantasy option(s) in here at the end. Young, and teammate Tanner Smith, are averaging 1.80 and 1.65 steals, respectively, for the conference's stingiest defense. And they both offer more than just steals from a fantasy perspective. Young is scoring at a 13.6 point per game clip, while Smith is one of the more versatile players nationally, chipping in 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and four assists in addition to his defensive prowess.