Staff Writers
With
the college basketball season fast approaching, the Atlantic Coast Conference
looks primed for another run of domination in Division l hoops, holding five
teams in the Associated Press Top 25. Here are our preseason rankings for the
conference.
1.
Duke
The Blue Devils
are consistently one of the top teams in the conference, and this season is no
exception. The team brought in some new talent, with freshman Jabari Parker, a
top five forward in last year’s recruiting class, and Rodney Hood, a transfer
from Mississippi State, looking to bring a conference championship to Durham
this season.
2.
North
Carolina
The team managed
to keep standout forward James Michael McAdoo for one more year, who is always
a threat in the paint. P.J. Hairston will also be an impact player for the
Tarheels as long as he can stay out of trouble; Hairston is currently facing a
suspension of up to 13 games for legal issues such as marijuana possession and
reckless driving. Carolina also managed
to add some young talent, signing forward Isaiah Hicks, the number one prospect
in North Carolina.
3.
Syracuse
Syracuse opens
the preseason at number seven in the AP Top 25, but they may be a bit
overrated. Two of Syracuse’s top three scorers went on to the NBA, leaving the
team looking towards forward C.J. Fair for most of their production, hoping to
get the supporting cast to contribute.
4.
Notre
Dame
The Fighting
Irish go into this season with their starting five intact, looking to make some
noise in their first season as a part of the ACC. Guards Grant and Atkins make
up one of the best backcourts in the conference, and are very dangerous from
the three point line.
5.
Virginia
The combination
of seniors Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell in the pick and roll will create a
nuisance for opposing defenses. However, the rest of the Cavaliers’ squad will
have to find a way to create shots as well, something they have struggled with.
6.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh head
coach Jamie Dixon always manages to keep his team competitive with his focus on
defense. The team’s defensive play should be effective in forcing turnovers,
allowing the offense led by guard Tray Woodall to get up the floor to score.
7.
Florida
State
The Seminoles
graduated their best player in Michael Snaer last season. However, the team
will come into this season more experienced and mature which may lead to their
success.
8.
Miami
(FL)
It will be a
huge rebuilding season for Miami this year. Their top six scorers either
graduated or went pro, taking with them 90% of the Hurricanes’ offensive
production. The new faces on the team will have to step up and take the reins.
9.
Boston
College
This team has
been just average in the past few seasons. This could be the year that they
break the streak, returning all their starters and becoming the best shooting
team in the conference. They will have to improve their rebounding, though,
which ranked 302nd out of 347 teams last season.
10.
Maryland
This team was
anchored by center Alex Len, one of the best shot-blockers in the country, last
season, but now will have to discover how to get by without that defensive
presence in the paint. Maryland will move to the Big Ten next season.
11.
North
Carolina State
The Wolfpack
lost many talented players last season, but looking forward there is some
promise in sophomore T.J. Warren, who can serve as a catalyst for the team’s
electric offense.
12.
Wake
Forest
Historically,
this team has struggled in conference play, going 11-39 since 2010. Seniors
C.J. Harris and Travis McKie look to lead the Demon Deacons out of the rut.
13.
Georgia
Tech
This year’s
squad looks to make the next step this season, the third under recently hired
coach Brian Gregory. The team has been able to make it to the conference
tournament for the past few seasons, but this year, they look to make a run.
14.
Virginia
Tech
Guard Erick
Green led the team, and the nation, in scoring last season, going for 25 points
per game which accounted for 35 percent of the team’s total offense. Now with
him graduated, the Hokies will be left to put the pieces back together.
15.
Clemson
The Tigers are
going to look to rebound from losing ten of their last eleven games last season
after being one of the better teams in the conference just two years ago.
