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MEDIA DAY PRESEASON POLL
- Duke
- North Carolina
- Louisville
- Virginia
- Florida State
- NC State
- Notre Dame
- Syracuse
- Miami FL
- Pittsburgh
- Clemson
- Georgia Tech
- Boston College
- Virginia Tech
- Wake Forest
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-ACC 1ST TEAM
Jordan Nwora – Louisville
Tre Jones – Duke
Cole Anthony – North Carolina
John Mooney – Notre Dame
Mamadi Diakite – Virginia
MEDIA DAY PRESEASON ALL-ACC 2ND TEAM
Markell Johnson – NC State
Vernon Carey – Duke
Chris Lykes – Miami FL
Garrison Brooks – North Carolina
Trent Forrest – Florida State
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jordan Nwora (Louisville)
PRESEASON FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Cole Anthony (North Carolina)
NOTES FROM DAVID. Zion Williamson is gone from Duke, and they lost three other starters so the Blue Devils have a ton of talent that needs to be replaced. But, as always, Duke is replacing a ton of talent with a ton of talent. They are bringing in yet another monster recruiting class and will once again be contenders for the Final Four.
Prior to the start of last year no one expected Louisville to do anything, and while a lot of people probably remember some of the games that the Cardinals didn’t win and feel that the team could have been, one must not forget that they actually did exceed all expectations. This year, Louisville is good enough to contend for the ACC title and/or the Final Four with three starters back and a huge recruiting class to go along with it.
Virginia won the National Title last year! They could be in the top ten yet again this year! Yet, they’re only picked 4th in the ACC. That just goes to show you how strong this league is. Everyone knows Virginia is good, but the Hoos are probably even better than what most people realize. Despite playing in an insanely strong conference and not shying away from tough OOC games either, they’ve won 29 or more games in four of the last five years. I know that they have a ton of talent that needs replacing, but do not ever overlook this team. Well, at least not until Tony Bennett leaves.
I’m not as big on North Carolina as I am on the four teams that I’ve already talked about, but please understand that in the proper context. I believe them to be a top-20 caliber team instead of a top 10 caliber team. With four starters gone, I have more questions than certainties about the Tar Heels, but if history is any indicator they will once again be a strong team.
Don’t overlook Florida State. Everyone seems to every year. They’ve been to back-to-back Sweet Sixteens (or further) and earned a protected seed the year before that, so for the past three years they’ve probably exceeded expectations and could do so again this year. They will likely get good play out of their guards and will once again go deep into their bench.
Last year NC State (rightfully) missed the tournament. They had a ton of wins, but didn’t really do all that much when they were playing against actual tournament teams. I’m a big fan of Kevin Keatts, and think with the experience they have coming back they’ll be better this year and should once again contend for, and likely make, the NCAA Tournament
Notre Dame has five starters back, and that experience should help them. But, the Irish also lost eight of their last nine games last year. Mike Brey is a really good coach and he’s accomplished a lot at Notre Dame, but the last two years have been a struggle. I don’t think he’s on the hot seat, but his seat may be getting a little warm if they once again fail to even make the NIT this year.
Jim Boeheim has been at Syracuse for 44 years, which means when the incoming freshmen were born he’d been at Syracuse for 26 years. He’s got his work cut out for him this year with just one regular returning starter and a very young roster.
Miami FL is looking to bounce back after winning just 14 games a year ago. They have a strong player in Chris Lykes, but they don’t appear to have a whole lot of depth or strength in other areas.
Pitt was 14-19 in Jeff Capel’s first year last year, which is anything but spectacular, but it was tons better than they were the year before. They’ve still got a long way to go, but with four starters back they should be substantially better this year and will likely compete for at least a spot in the NIT.
Clemson is in a complete rebuilding mode with four starters gone from a year ago.
Georgia Tech’s season is already off to a rough start. They won’t be making the NCAA Tournament. They won’t be making the ACC Tournament either. The NCAA handed out a postseason ban. Chances are they wouldn’t have made the postseason anyway, but that’s rough news to hear before it’s even October.
Boston College should be better, but are still a long way off from being good.
It was fun having Virginia Tech be good at basketball, but seeing as how Buzz Williams is gone along with the bulk of the talent from last year, it may be a multi-year rebuilding project for new head coach Mike Young.
Wake Forest….I got nothin’