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The ACC at a glance
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Published: November 14, 2008
Updated: 11/13/2008 08:50 pm
Boston College
• Last season's record: 14-17 (4-12 ACC)
• Coach: Al Skinner (210-137 in 11 seasons at Boston College, 348-263 in 20 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2007, defeated Texas Tech 84-75, lost to Georgetown 62-55.
• Strengths: If a college team is to have one special player, it's best if he's the point guard. Senior Tyrese Rice is one of the best in the ACC. He was second in the conference last season with 21 points a game and fourth with 5 assists. He scored 47 points last season against North Carolina, the most by an ACC player in 17 years. Sophomore wing Rakim Sanders had a nice debut, averaging 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds.
• Weaknesses: Rice's supporting cast appears lacking. The Eagles ranked 11th in the conference in scoring margin (-1.3) and turnover margin (-3.2) and 10th in field-goal percentage defense (.443). Other than Rice, BC didn't have a player in the top 25 in scoring. It didn't have anyone in the top 10 in rebounding.
• Best returning players: G Tyrese Rice, G-F Rakim Sanders, F Corey Raji
• Best newcomer: G Reggie Jackson
• Key losses: C Tyrelle Blair and F John Oates
• Keys to the season: Keys to the season: Blair and Rice gave BC a nice inside-outside combination on defense. Blair expended his eligibility. Unless last season's freshmen — Sanders, Raji, Biko Paris and Josh Southern — make dramatic progress, it will be a long season at Chestnut Hill. Recruiting rankings can be over-emphasized, but Jackson (No. 115) was the only freshman ranked in the top 150 by Rivals.com.
• Big games: Miami (Jan. 10); Wake Forest (Jan. 14); at Virginia Tech (Jan. 17)
• Reasonable expectation: 14-16 (4-12 ACC)
• Outside possibility: 18-12 (7-9 ACC)
— Dan Collins
Clemson
• Last season's record: 24-10 (10-6 ACC)
• Coach: Oliver Purnell (94-68 in five seasons at Clemson, 350-259 in 20 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008, lost to Villanova 75-69.
• Strengths: Seven of last season's top 10 return, so depth and experience will be plusses. K.C. Rivers (14.7 points, 6.3 rebounds) and Trevor Booker (11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds) are proven, and Terrence Oglesby is one of the ACC's best 3-point shooters.
• Weaknesses: The leadership and all-around game of four-year starter Cliff Hammonds will be missed, and none of the big men are as athletic as departed James Mays. Free-throw shooting will be a perennial weakness until proven otherwise.
• Best returning players: F K.C. Rivers, F Trevor Booker, G Demontez Stitt, G Terrence Oglesby, F David Potter, C Raymond Sykes, F Jerai Grant
• Best newcomers: G Andre Young, C Catalin Baciu, F Bryan Marcisse, G Tanner Smith
• Key losses: G Cliff Hammonds, F James Mays, F Sam Perry
• Keys to the season: Purnell is worried about defensive deficiencies more than he is about the offense. Some of the undersized inside players will have to step up and rebound better. The Tigers will have more pressure to live up to expectations than most of Purnell's previous teams.
• Big games: At Illinois (Dec. 2); at North Carolina (Jan. 21); Duke (Feb. 4); at Wake Forest (March 8)
• Reasonable expectation: The Tigers were picked to finish fifth in the ACC preseason poll, so something in the range of 21-8 and 10-6 seems about right. The nonconference schedule is tougher than in years past, but not a whole lot
• Outside possibility: Clemson has a favorable ACC schedule in that it plays North Carolina and Duke once each, so it could climb higher than the projection of fifth place in the preseason poll.
— John Delong
Duke
• Last season's record: 28-6 (13-3 ACC)
• Coach: Mike Krzyzewski (730-208 in 28 seasons at Duke, 803-267 in 33 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008, defeated Belmont 71-70, lost to West Virginia 73-67.
• Strengths: Duke has some of the ACC's best backcourt and wing players. Greg Paulus is a talented, experienced point guard, Gerald Henderson and Jon Scheyer can shoot from the outside and score, and Nolan Smith is an up-and-coming backcourt star. Duke's defense is always among the toughest in college basketball.
• Weaknesses: Inside strength is still questionable. Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas have to improve as rebounders.
• Best returning players: PG Greg Paulus, SG Gerald Henderson, SF Kyle Singler, PG Nolan Smith, SG-SF Jon Scheyer
• Best newcomers: SG Elliot Williams, PF Olek Czyz, PF Miles Plumlee
• Key losses: SG DeMarcus Nelson, SF Taylor King
• Keys to the season: This is a team with few weaknesses. Duke's biggest problem is inside. If Duke can rebound, it can run and beat almost any team in the country.
• Big games: North Carolina (Feb. 11); at North Carolina (March 8)
• Reasonable expectation: 25-6 overall and 10-6 ACC
• Outside possibility: 28-3, 13-3 ACC
— Bill Cole
Florida State
• Last season's record: 19-15 (7-9 ACC)
• Coach: Leonard Hamilton (106-85 in six seasons at Florida State, 306-295 in 20 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 1998, defeated TCU 96-87, lost to Valparaiso 83-77 in OT.
• Strengths: Guard Toney Douglas averaged 15.4 points and led the ACC in steals last season, and he'll be the undisputed go-to guy on offense. Uche Echefu, Ryan Reid and freshman Chris Singleton could give FSU a stronger front line.
• Weaknesses: FSU must replace the scoring and leadership of guards Jason Rich, Isaiah Swann and Ralph Mims, who averaged a combined 39 points. Nine players, including projected starters Singleton and transfer Derwin Kitchen, are newcomers.
• Best returning players: G Toney Douglas, F Uche Echefu, F Ryan Reid, C Solomon Alabi
• Best newcomers: F Chris Singleton, G Derwin Kitchen, G Luke Loucks, G Brian Hoff
• Key losses: G Jason Rich, G Isaiah Swann, G Ralph Mims
• Keys to the season: Replacing the combined 39-point average of Rich, Swann and Mims. Alabi, who hurt his knee early last season, is athletic but must develop his skills. A good start against a solid nonconference schedule is essential.
• Big games: Cincinnati in Las Vegas (Nov. 28); Florida (Dec. 7); Duke (Jan. 10); North Carolina (Jan. 28); at Wake Forest (Feb. 14)
• Reasonable expectation: The Seminoles were picked to finish 10th in the ACC's preseason poll, and that would compute to records of about 16-13 overall and 5-11 in the ACC. That would extend the program's NCAA Tournament drought to 12 seasons
• Outside possibility: Hamilton has recruited enough athletes again that a 20-win season is feasible in a best-case scenario. Just don't count on it.
— John Delong
Georgia Tech
• Last season's record: 15-17 (7-9 ACC)
• Coach: Paul Hewitt (142-112 in eight seasons at Georgia Tech, 208-139 in 11 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2007, lost to UNLV 67-63
• Strengths: Six players from last season's rotation are back, including starters Moe Miller and Gani Lawal. Lawal, Alade Aminu and Zach Peacock, the leading returning scorer with 9.9 points a game, provide size and athleticism inside
• Weaknesses: There is a significant drop-off on the bench after the top six, as Hewitt brought in just one recruit, freshman guard Inman Shumpert.
• Best returning players: G Moe Miller, C Gani Lawal, C Alade Aminu, C Zach Peacock, G Lewis Clinch
• Best newcomers: G Iman Shumpert, F Bassirou Dieng
• Key losses: F Jeremis Smith, G Anthony Morrow, G Matt Causey, G Ra'sean Dickey, G D'Andre Bell (injury)
• Keys to the season: Inconsistency has been a problem for several players, particularly Lewis Clinch, who showed great promise as a freshman but has been in and out of the doghouse since. Clinch is ineligible until the second semester (seven games) because of academic shortcomings. Tech also lost D'Andre Bell, a starter last season, for the season because of a congenital spine condition.
• Big games: at Southern Cal (Dec. 22); Georgia (Jan. 6); Duke (Jan. 14); Wake Forest (Jan. 31); at Wake Forest (Feb. 18); at North Carolina (Feb. 28)
• Reasonable expectation: The Yellow Jackets were picked to finish eighth in the ACC preseason poll, so something on the order of 18-12 and 6-10 seems right. A weak nonconference schedule helps.
• Outside possibility: This looks like a team that will miss the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons.
— John Delong
Maryland
• Last season's record: 19-15 (8-8 ACC)
• Coach: Gary Williams (397-215 in 19 seasons at Maryland; 604-343 in 30 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2007, defeated Davidson 82-70, lost to Butler 62-59.
• Strengths: The Terps have a quality backcourt led by combination guard Greivis Vasquez, who was second-team All-ACC last season. Sharpshooter Eric Hayes and Vazquez are roommates, and each seems to know where the other is on the court.
• Weaknesses: Losing inside players James Gist and Bambale Osby probably will hurt the Terps in ACC play. Maryland didn't have a very good recruiting year, leaving 6-7 junior Landon Milbourne and sophomore Jerome Burney to pick up the slack. Braxton Dupress, a 6-8 sophomore center, has lost 20 pounds since last season and also could help.
• Best returning players: G Greivis Vasquez, G Eric Hayes, F Landon Milbourne
• Best newcomers: G Sean Mosley
• Key losses: C James Gist, F Bambale Osby
• Keys to the season: Finding some workhorses inside will be Gary Williams' biggest challenge. Although Vasquez played the point most of last season, Hayes could move to the position this season. That might free Vasquez to showcase his game.
• Big games: at Duke (Jan. 24); at North Carolina (Feb. 3); Wake Forest (March 3)
• Reasonable expectation: 16-15 overall and 4-12 in the ACC. The Terrapins were picked seventh in the preseason media poll but could finish higher if Vasquez has help. If they can establish some consistency inside, that could make Vasquez and Hayes even more dangerous.
• Outside possibility: 18-14 and 7-9. The Terps have missed the NCAA Tournament three of the last four seasons and will struggle to get there again. They could sneak in, even with a losing ACC record, but it won't be easy.
— John Dell
Miami
• Last season's record: 23-11 (8-8 ACC)
• Coach: Frank Haith (69-60 in four seasons, all at Miami)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008, defeated St. Mary's 78-64, lost to Texas 75-72.
• Strengths: The Hurricanes are loaded in the backcourt, starting with seniors Jack McClinton and Lance Hurdle. Throw in sophomore Eddie Rios, who averaged 14 minutes last season, and James Dews, and they could provide what the Hurricanes need to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.
• Weaknesses: Although Jimmy Graham is back at power forward, he'll need help from Dwayne Collins, who was inconsistent last season. Competing with the bigger frontcourts in the ACC might be a problem.
• Best returning players: G Jack McClinton, G James Dews, F Dwayne Collins, G Lance Hurdle
• Best newcomers: F Reggie Johnson, F Adrian Thomas
• Key losses: C Anthony King
• Keys to the season: Not relying too much on McClinton to bail out everyone else with his shooting. If Miami can spread out the scoring, that should keep McClinton fresher late in the season. Finding inside help to replace King is a must.
• Big games: Clemson (Dec. 21); at North Carolina (Jan. 17); at Duke (Feb. 7)
• Reasonable expectation: 20-10, 9-7 ACC. Miami has too much talent to finish in the ACC's lower division. It also has one of the league's most experienced teams, after North Carolina. Frank Haith has loved playing up his team as the underdog, but he doesn't have that luxury this season. "We've got a lot of guys who weren't that highly recruited so we play with that underdog role." Haith said.
• Outside possibility: 22-8 and 11-5. Things have to go perfectly for Miami to finish higher than third in the ACC.
— John Dell
North Carolina
• Last season's record: 36-3 (14-2 ACC)
• Coach: Roy Williams (142-33 in five seasons at UNC; 560-134 in 20 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2008, defeated Mount St. Mary's 113-74, Arkansas 108-77, Washington State 68-47 and Louisville 83-73, lost to Kansas 84-66 in NCAA Final Four semifinal.
• Strengths: Abundant experience with all five starters back. The bench is deep, and there's plenty of height available off the bench.
• Weaknesses: Injuries are a factor already. Can Tyler Hansbrough's aching right shin hold up under his all-out playing style? Marcus Ginyard, the team's best defensive player, is out while recovering from foot surgery. The defense must be more effective in his absence after struggling at times last season, even when Ginyard was playing.
• Best returning players: C Tyler Hansbrough, SG Wayne Ellington, PG Ty Lawson, SF Danny Green, PF Deon Thompson, SF Marcus Ginyard
• Best newcomers: C-PF Tyler Zeller, PF Ed Davis
• Key losses: PG Quentin Thomas, PF Alex Stepheson
• Keys to the season: North Carolina is still smarting from last season's loss to Kansas in the Final Four. The last three UNC teams all used the disappointment of the previous season's last loss as motivation and advanced deeper into the NCAA Tournament. The next step for this team is winning the national championship.
• Big games: Kentucky (Nov. 18); Michigan State in Detroit (Dec. 3); at Duke (Feb. 11); Duke (March 8)
• Reasonable expectation: 27-3 overall, 13-3 ACC, if Hansbrough's leg holds up.
• Outside possibility: 29-1 overall, 15-1 ACC
— Bill Cole
N.C. State
• Last season's record: 15-16 (4-12 ACC)
• Coach: Sidney Lowe (35-32 in two seasons, both at N.C. State)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2006, defeated California 58-52, lost to Texas 75-54.
• Strengths: Team chemistry should be a plus this season. Ben McCauley and Brandon Costner have shown that they can play with anyone in the ACC. There are veterans at every position.
• Weaknesses: Point guard remains a question. This is a team in need of a floor leader. The lack of a steady hand was apparent last season. Depth has improved but isn't great, particularly if McCauley or Costner get into foul trouble.
• Best returning players: C Ben McCauley, PF Brandon Costner, SF Courtney Fells, PG Farnold Degand
• Best newcomers: PG Julius Mays, F C.J. Williams, SG-SF Johnny Thomas
• Key losses: C J.J. Hickson, F Gavin Grant
• Keys to the season: McCauley and Costner should flourish now that J.J. Hickson is gone. The key will be getting them the ball. If the point guards fail to produce, the Wolfpack will struggle again.
• Big games: at Davidson (Dec. 6); at Duke (Jan. 20); North Carolina (Jan. 31); at North Carolina (Feb. 18)
• Reasonable expectation: 15-14 overall and 6-10 ACC. The season should go smoother than last season, although not necessarily better in terms of wins and losses. State still needs more height and better depth to compete night in and night out in the ACC.
• Outside possibility: 16-13 overall, 7-9 ACC
— Bill Cole
Virginia
• Last season's record: 17-16 (5-11 ACC)
• Coach: Dave Leitao (53-42 in three seasons at Virginia; 133-111 eight overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2007, beat Albany 84-57, lost to Tennessee 77-74.
• Strengths: Virginia doesn't have many, and was picked in last place in the preseason ACC media poll. Forward Mamadi Diane is one returning starter who can be a force, but he has no help.
• Weaknesses: A lack of experience will be a big factor, but the lack of a quality backcourt will hurt the Cavaliers all season. Finding a leader is an issue that must be resolved early in the season. Losing Will Harris, who transferred, will hurt.
• Best returning players: G Jeff Jones, F Mamadi Diane, F Mike Scott
• Best newcomers: C John Brandenburg, G Sammy Zeglinski
• Key losses: G Sean Singletary, F Laurynas Mikalauskas, G Will Harris
• Keys to the season: This is an obvious rebuilding season for Leiteo, who was the ACC coach of the year in 2006-07. If he can somehow find some inside scoring to help Diane, however, the Cavaliers could sneak up on some opponents.
• Big games: at Virginia Tech (Jan. 10); Virginia Tech (Feb. 18)
• Reasonable expectation: 12-19 overall, 3-13 ACC. There's just not enough talent to pull the Cavs along, especially after Dave Leiteo kicked Laurynas Mikalauskas off the team in the spring.
• Outside possibility: 15-16 and 6-10. Who knows? Maybe the Cavs can be better than advertised. Last year they did a lot of standing around while Singletary did his thing.
— John Dell
Virginia Tech
• Last season's record: 21-14 (9-7 ACC)
• Coach: Seth Greenberg (88-70 in five seasons at Virginia Tech, 301-240 in 18 seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2007, defeated Illinois 54-52, lost to Southern Illinois 63-48.
• Strengths: Guard/forward A.D. Vassalo, who was second-team All-ACC last season, is one of the league's best wings. F Jeff Allen was impressive at times last season as a freshman, and sophomore guards Malcolm Delaney, Dorenzo Hudson and Hanks Thorns also had some nice moments. The Hokies should be strong in the backcourt.
• Weaknesses: The loss of Deron Washington to spent eligibility will force Allen to assume a much larger scoring load inside. The young guards will have to grow up after Virginia Tech ranked ninth in the ACC in assists-to-turnover ratio. And the Hokies will have to improve their shooting after ranking ninth in field-goal percentage and 10th in free-throw percentage.
• Best returning players: G-F A.D. Vassalo, F Jeff Allen, G Malcolm Delaney
• Best newcomer: F-C Victor Davilla
• Key loss: F Deron Washington
• Keys to the season: If Allen, Delaney, Hudson and Thorns can mature fast enough to become front-line ACC players, the Hokies could be better than they were last season. But they will still need a big senior season from Vassalo.
• Big games: at Duke (Jan. 4); at Wake Forest (Jan. 21); at Miami (Jan. 25); North Carolina (March 4)
• Reasonable expectation: 21-14 (9-7 ACC)
• Outside possibility: 24-11 (11-5 ACC)
— Dan Collins
Wake Forest
• Last season's record: 17-15 (7-9 ACC)
• Coach: Dino Gaudio (17-15 in one season at Wake Forest, 85-137 in eight seasons overall)
• Last NCAA Tournament appearance: 2005, defeated Chattanooga 70-54, lost to West Virginia 111-105.
• Strengths: The addition of freshmen Al-Farouq Aminu, Tony Woods and Ty Walker and the continued development of sophomores James Johnson and Jeff Teague give the Deacons one of their tallest and most talented teams. Senior Harvey Hale and juniors Chas McFarland, Ish Smith and L.D. Williams provide experience. Aminu and Johnson could be one of the ACC's best two forwards.
• Weaknesses: Even with the increased size and athleticism, someone still has to make a jump shot. The Deacons ranked last in the ACC last season in field-goal percentage (43.3) and 3-point percentage (31.6). And although their defense improved, they still ranked ninth in 3-point percentage defense (35.3).
• Best returning players: F James Johnson, G Jeff Teague, C Chas McFarland, G Ish Smith, G-F L.D. Williams
• Best newcomers: F Al-Farouq Aminu, C Tony Woods, C Ty Walker
• Key losses: None
• Keys to the season: If Johnson and Teague are better as sophomores than they were as freshmen, and if Aminu, Woods and Walker can contribute immediately, the Deacons should be back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005. But they still have to prove they can score from outside.
• Big games: North Carolina (Jan. 11); at Boston College (Jan. 14); Duke (Jan. 28); Clemson (March 8)
• Reasonable expectation: 20-13 (9-7 ACC)
• Outside possibility: 25-8 (12-4 ACC)
— Dan Collins
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