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Dudley, Leitao Honored

By JOEY JOHNSTON The Tampa Tribune

Published: Mar 7, 2007

Boston College senior forward Jared Dudley was named ACC Player of the Year, and Virginia's Dave Leitao was selected ACC Coach of the Year in voting announced Tuesday by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.

Dudley, who averages 19.3 points and 8.5 points, received 45 of a possible 106 votes to outdistance second-place Al Thornton of Florida State (30), third-place Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina (19) and fourth-place Sean Singletary of Virginia (12).

"Without [Dudley], we wouldn't even have a chance to compete in this league," Boston College coach Al Skinner said.

Dudley, who started his first two seasons in the Big East, is in his second year in the league. So is Leitao, who took over Virginia's program last season after a stint at DePaul.

Leitao led the Cavaliers (20-9, 11-5) to a tie for the ACC's regular-season title with North Carolina. He became the third Virginia coach to win the award, joining Bill Gibson (1972) and Terry Holland (1981 and '82). Said Leitao: "I don't want to say we've arrived. I don't want to be a one-hit wonder."

Leitao received 64 of a possible 106 votes. Maryland's Gary Williams (19) was second and Virginia Tech's Seth Greenberg (15) was third.

Additionally, North Carolina freshman Brandan Wright was named ACC Rookie of the Year.

Q&A: BOSTON COLLEGE COACH AL SKINNER

Going into the ACC Tournament, what is your mind-set having lost four of the last five games?

The regular season is over. It's done. We had a pretty competitive year and now it's time for the second season. We have to rethink some things and get back to basics, but this is almost like a fresh start. We have to take advantage of this time.

Any regrets about leaving the Big East?

I'm actually kind of surprised to be receiving that question. The Big East is in our rearview mirror. It's of no real significance. There's probably just a handful of players, maybe three or four, on our team who even played in the Big East Tournament.

What kind of impact have you had in the ACC [in two seasons] and what has been the impact on your program?

We're very excited to be in the ACC. It has clearly demonstrated itself to be the best conference in the country. Night in, night out, the conference is so unforgiving. Everybody is winning. Everybody is losing. Who knows what's going to happen in the ACC Tournament? We're glad to be part of its history and we're glad we made an impact last season [reaching the ACC Tournament final, losing to Duke 78-76].

REPEAT PERFORMANCE

On 19 occasions, the ACC Player of the Year has been named MVP of the ACC Tournament. Only three players - Wake Forest's Len Chappell (1961 and '62), North Carolina's Larry Miller (1967 and '68) and Duke's J.J. Redick (2005 and '06) - have twice achieved that quiniela.

* - Duke's Shane Battier shared the 2001 ACC Player of the Year award with North Carolina's Joseph Forte.

FINAL THOUGHTS

•Basketball fans should take advantage of today's free practices at the Forum. You can see 10 of the ACC teams in one-hour sessions, usually pretty light, up close-and-personal events. Participation is optional. North Carolina arrives late tonight. Duke, in keeping with its tradition, will hold a double-secret private practice in the area.

•Hey, it's a stretch, but N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe is enjoying a homecoming. Does anybody remember that Lowe once was point guard of Coach Bill Musselman's CBA champion Tampa Bay Thrillers in 1986-87?

•For some early tournament buzz, check out the Channelside entertainment district tonight. Several alumni groups are holding functions, and school colors won't be hard to locate.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353 or

Q&A: BOSTON COLLEGE COACH AL SKINNER

REPEAT PERFORMANCE

FINAL THOUGHTS

jjohnston@tampatrib.com.