Season Preview: ACC

The ACC has recently been dominated by one team: UNC. That trend doesn't seem likely to change, despite how much UNC lost this year. Many teams are good but none of them have really improved themselves enough to appear to pose a serious threat to UNC's reign at the top. Of course, UNC could always slump to the back of the pack after all the scoring they lost this season, but I wouldn't bet on that.

The Favorites:

UNC: Why do I have a team that lost 4 starters as the ACC champions? It's a rare situation for sure, and it may seem like I'm contradicting myself when I talk about Kentucky's situation later in the year. But here's why I'm confident in UNC: unlike many teams that lose that many pieces, UNC has veterans returning. Marcus Ginyard, Ed Davis, Deon Thompson, Tyler Zeller... these are all guys that recieved decent minutes for last year's National Champions and are poised to take a step up this season.

There's no denying the amount of talent UNC has. Davis should be All-Conference this year. John Henson should start immediately. The other freshman were all highly touted in high school. Ginyard has starting experience and is an excellent defender. The biggest concern will be at point guard. Larry Drew II will be running the show and is no Lawson in the backcourt. If Drew or somebody else can handle the fast pace of Roy Williams' UNC offense, the weapons are in place to make a Final Four run.

Duke: The Blue Devils have been overrated the past few years, and with Gerald Henderson gone, there's plenty of people that believe this will be Duke's worst season yet. Before we discuss Duke as a team, let's remember that Duke has had between 27 and 32 wins every year since the 1996-97 season (except for 2006-07), has 4 conference titles this decade and 7 conference tournament wins this decade. So Duke is still very much relevant in college basketball. That being said...

Duke's biggest problem last year was size. This year the signing of Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee should add plenty of much needed depth. The bigger problem is in the backcourt, where Henderson graduated and Elliot Williams transferred to Memphis. This means Duke will likely be rotating between three guards: Jon Scheyer, Nolan Smith, and newcomer Andre Dawkins. If those three can hold the fort at the guard positions and Kelly and Plumlee step in and give Duke quality minutes, Duke can contend for a Final Four spot. Otherwise, well, there are plenty of 2nd tier ACC teams that could make a run at Duke for the 2nd spot in the conference.

Team that could surprise:

Maryland - The Terps return Greivis Vasquez, likely the best guard and possibly best player in the conference. That in itself is saying something in a conference that is somewhat devoid of experienced guards. Vasquez does everything for this team: pass, drive to the basket, defend, lead. Most of the supporting cast around him returns as well, including Landon Milbourne and Eric Hayes. We saw last year Maryland has knockout power, and I am picking them to rise out of the muddled mess that is the middle of the ACC.

Team that could disappoint:

Georgia Tech - Okay, okay. I know they got Derrick Favors. I know they got Mfon Udofia to run the point. I know Gani Lawal came back. I know about Iman Shumpert. Bottom line: this team went 2-14 last year in the ACC. Will they be a tournament team? Probably. But I need to see more before I predict anything higher than .500 in conference. Teams generally don't go from worst to top of the conference in one season, especially not in a crowded ACC.

Predicted Standings:

1. UNC - Too much talent and athleticism for it not to work out.
2. Duke - Wild card for the Devils may be how Scheyer runs the point.
3. Maryland - Vasquez's leadership and defense will make the difference.
4. Florida State - Solomon Alabi, Chris Singleton, and Derwin Kitchen form a solid core. But who will replace Toney Douglas's production?
5. Clemson - Trevor Booker will need to should more of an offensive load with K. C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby gone.
6. Boston College - Due to a well-balanced offense, they won't miss Tyrese Rice as much as initially thought.
7. Georgia Tech - Favors and Udofia will help, but a long way to go in a strong conference.
8. Wake Forest - Someone has to finish here, right? Demon Deacons in a transition state at the moment.
9. Virginia Tech - Not as much talent as the big boys, but they will be very competitive.
10. Miami (FL) - Rebuilding process begins with Jack McClinton gone.
11. Virginia - Sylven Landesberg needs more of a supporting cast around him.
12. NC State - In the not very distant past, this was a decent basketball program.

Tournament teams:

UNC, Duke, Maryland, Florida State, Clemson, Boston College, Georgia Tech