Douglas travels under radar

Off the top of your head, name the player who has scored the most points in the ACC this season.

Tyler Hansbrough? Wrong.

Kyle Singler? Nope.

Jeff Teague? Try again.

Well, since this game could go on for a while, here’s the answer — Florida State’s Toney Douglas.

The Seminoles’ point guard is third in scoring average at 19.5, but his 370 points are tops in the ACC.

So why is it that only a sportswriter or a person involved in a fantasy basketball league would probably know this answer?

Why isn’t Douglas talked about as one of the elite guards in the ACC when, quite clearly, he should be mentioned in the same breath as the Teagues and Ty Lawsons?

Well, for one thing, Douglas doesn’t play on Tobacco Road. He’s in Tallahassee.

“It doesn’t bother me at all because I know how my play has been,” said Douglas, when asked about his lack of recognition during a phone interview on Thursday. “I just let my play speak for itself. I just feel like in the end, everything works itself out and I’ll end up being recognized as one of the [best].”

Virginia fans will get a firsthand look at Douglas when FSU (15-4, 2-2 ACC) visits John Paul Jones Arena on Saturday afternoon.

On Wednesday night in a loss to Miami, Douglas scored a season-high tying 30 points. Douglas and Teague are the only two players in the ACC to have scored at least 30 points in multiple games this season.

But what makes Douglas special is that he’s more than just a gunslinger. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is considered a great defender — he’s averaging 2.1 steals per game, good for third in the ACC.

“Toney Douglas is a superb player,” said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, earlier this month. “This kid is a beautiful basketball player. He creates havoc with his defense. There is not a better on-the-ball defender — I mean, he has got to be a candidate for national defensive player of the year. That kid really does an amazing job. He is one of the best players in the country, and a great kid obviously. He is an unbelievable leader for them.”

Like many youngsters, Douglas grew up a big Michael Jordan fan. The Jonesboro, Ga., native played his first year of college ball at Auburn. That season, he scored 33 points in a loss to Virginia at the Siegel Center in Richmond.

After the season, Douglas — after reportedly not being happy with how Auburn coach Jeff Lebo was using him — transferred to FSU.

“I always wanted to play in a league with the top guards and that’s what made me come to Florida State,” said Douglas, who actually declared for the NBA draft, only to pull his name out before the deadline. “Every game you’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game.”

As a sophomore, Douglas averaged 12.7 points. Last season, he averaged 15.4. This season, he’s increased his average more than four points. He’s also taken on an even bigger leadership role for a team that features six freshmen and two sophomores.

Douglas said his biggest improvement over the last couple years has been his “basketball smarts.”

“I’ve watched a lot of film and just tried to bring a good work ethic every day and be a leader on and off the court,” he said. “I feel like it’s all coming together now.”