Over the next week or two, BSB will be previewing each of the major conferences in the college basketball season.\u00a0 With the ACC-Big Ten Challenge underway, we figured we’d start with those two conferences.\u00a0 Hopefully, I’ll finish the Big Ten either tonight or tomorrow morning, so check back.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.thenorthendzone.com\/images\/stories\/acc-logo.jpg\" "\\"ACC\\""){kind=logo}
The ACC has been the best college basketball conference in the country pretty much as long as I can remember.\u00a0 They might not be the best this year, but they have the best single team, that is for sure, and can still boast some other outstanding programs.\u00a0 This conference probably does have the best crop of incoming freshmen in the country, led by Harrison Barnes at UNC, Kyrie Irving at Duke, and C.J. Leslie at N.C. State.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Conference Tidbits<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Blue Ribbon’s All-Conference Teams<\/span><\/strong> MVP:\u00a0 Kyle Singler (Duke) TOP NEWCOMER:\u00a0 Harrison Barnes (UNC)<\/p>\n BSB’s Picks Lock\u00a0Tournament Teams:<\/span>\u00a0 Duke The Favorite\u00a0– Duke The Team Oh, and all of this and we haven’t even mentioned the best (arguably) freshman in the country, Kyrie Irving<\/strong>, who will be running the point for the Devils.\u00a0 Irving has the potential to be one of the best point guards in the illustrious history of Duke, as he has been compared favorably to the likes of former ACC standout point guards, Jay Williams and Chris Paul.\u00a0<\/p>\n Is Kyrie Irving the Second-Coming of Jason Williams?<\/p><\/div>\n And, what about the bench?\u00a0 Well, there have been sources close to the Blue Devils team that said the best guard on the team last year (the title team that included Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith) was Seth Curry<\/strong>.\u00a0 Who is Seth Curry?\u00a0 Well, he is the little brother of current NBA sharpshooter, Stephen Curry, and son of former NBA sharpshooter, Del Curry.\u00a0 He is a transfer\u00a0from Liberty (where he lit it up his freshman year to the tune of over 20 points per game) that had to sit out the games last year, but was allowed to practice with the team.\u00a0 So, he’ll be instant offense off the\u00a0bench.\u00a0 They also have sophomore Ryan\u00a0Kelly<\/strong> off the bench, who is a 6’10” forward who WON the McDonald’s All-American three-point contest in 2009, and\u00a06’8″ freshman, Josh\u00a0Hairston<\/strong>, who started (with Irving) on the U.S. National Under-18\u00a0Team that won the World Championships last year.\u00a0 Ya, like I said, they’re STACKED.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are They Better Than Last Year? Question Marks.<\/em> Change of Pace?\u00a0 They are switching from a plodding, half-court style of play last year to an uptempo, pressing, run-and-gun style this year.\u00a0 Will that lessen the effectiveness of Singler and Smith, who are not the fastest end-to-end guys in the league?\u00a0 Will that cut back on the minutes of the best starting five in the country?\u00a0<\/p>\n Freshman Point Guard?\u00a0<\/p>\n Their Ceiling.<\/em> There is no doubt that this team can\u00a0repeat as National Champions<\/strong>.\u00a0 They are the odds-on favorites to do so, and, if Irving is as good as advertised and the Plumlees develop the way most think they will, this\u00a0could be one of the best\u00a0college teams in recent memory.\u00a0<\/p>\n My Favorite – Virginia Tech Malcolm Delaney - The first nomination for "Best Player No One's Ever Heard Of"<\/p><\/div>\n The Team The frontcourt is a bit undersized, but certainly up to the task.\u00a0 They are led down low by SR power forward, Jeff Allen<\/strong>, whose off-the-charts athleticism may be indicated by the fact that he is the ACC’s active leader in rebounds, blocks, and steals.\u00a0 As a more mature player, the Hokies hope that Allen can play with more consistency this year, as he seemed to disappear at key moments last year.\u00a0 If he does, he might be one of the best bigs in the conference.\u00a0 The other forward is another senior, Terrell Bell<\/strong>, who is a do-everything, glue kind of a guy.\u00a0 He hustles for loose balls, is a very good passer and rebounder, and is an excellent defender on the perimeter or in the post.\u00a0 He also has a knack for taking – and making – the big shots.\u00a0<\/p>\n Along with the four seniors, the center is junior Victor Davila<\/strong>.\u00a0 Davila isn’t going to wow you and will probably be lost at times behind the four stars, but he kind of fits exactly what Va Tech needs to complement the other 4 starters.\u00a0 With the majority of the shots coming from the backcourt, and the offensive touches in the lane almost all going to Allen, Davila knows his role – rebound and block shots – and he does that pretty well.\u00a0 At only 6’8″, he may struggle with the legit 7-footers on the league’s top teams, but overall he should provide what the Hokies need.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are They Better Than Last Year? Question Marks<\/em> Size?\u00a0 They are a bit undersized.\u00a0 Davila is their tallest regular at just 6’8″, so they may have trouble with bigger frontcourts.\u00a0 But, fortunately, their perimeter starters run 6’3″, 6’5″, and 6’7″ and are all decent rebounders, so that should help out the size problems for Davila and Allen.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their Ceiling An Elite – North Carolina Exactly who is this Harrison Barnes you speak of?<\/p><\/div>\n \u00a0The Team But, Barnes is not the only newcomer that could shine for this team.\u00a0 Kendall Marshall<\/strong>, a 6’4″ McDonald’s All-American point guard, who has been favorably compared to past UNC point guards Raymond Felton and Ty Lawson (pretty decent players, huh?).\u00a0 Marshall may not start right away because the job still belongs to junior incumbent Larry Drew II<\/strong>, who started to play a little better at the end of last year, but may end up backing up Marshall, who was rated the best passing guard in the whole freshman class.\u00a0<\/p>\n The other starting guard spot will probably start out going to Will Barnes<\/strong>, a 5th-year senior, but should end up, by the end of the year, going to one of the super-sophs (Dexter Strickland<\/strong> or Leslie McDonald<\/strong>), who struggled last year, but should regain the shooting touches that made them such prized recruits.\u00a0 Or, there is an outside shot (no pun intended) that highly-touted freshman sharp-shooter and tenacious defender, Reggie Bullock<\/strong>, earns the starting spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n And, then there is the frontcourt that was absolutely gigantic, until they took a gigantic hit with the shocking transfers in May of the two 7’0″ Wear twins to UCLA.\u00a0 That left the frontcourt a big short (in players, but certainly not in height).\u00a0 Neither of the Wears were going to start because of 7’0″ junior Tyler Zeller<\/strong> and 6’10” sophomore John Henson<\/strong>.\u00a0 Zeller, if he can stay healthy, could have a breakout season, as he possesses all the skills and, now with 20 extra pounds of muscle, the size to be a dominant force in the ACC.\u00a0 Henson, who was supposed to be a one-and-done guy a year ago, also put on 20 “good” pounds this offseason and may also be poised for a breakout season.\u00a0 The frontcourt problem now with the Wear twins departure is going to be depth, so it’s really important that Zeller and Henson stay out of foul trouble.\u00a0 A welcome solution to the depth problem may come in an underrated addition, Justin Knox<\/strong>, who is a 6’9″ senior transfer from Alabama.\u00a0 Knox, who has three years of SEC experience under his belt, should be a welcome addition to the UNC frontcourt rotation.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are They Better Than Last Year? Question Marks? Their Ceiling The Team to Watch – N.C. State The Team C.J. Leslie<\/strong> is the most highly-touted of the bunch, as a McDonald’s All-American and a high school teammate of John Wall at the Word of God Academy in Raleigh.\u00a0 The best recruit NC State has landed in quite some time, Leslie can score from anywhere, at any time, against anybody and could be one of the best offensive players in the ACC immediately.\u00a0 Not exactly the easiest to handle off the court, however, as questions about Leslie’s game have always seemed to\u00a0center around shot selection and defensive intensity, so he might be a major challenge for Coach Lowe…you know, when he’s not dropping 30 on Wake Forest.\u00a0<\/p>\n Never heard of C.J. Leslie? You will...<\/p><\/div>\n With the 6’8″ Leslie at the small forward position, the backcourt will be two fellow freshmen.\u00a0 Five-star recruit, Ryan Harrow<\/strong>, was rated as the #7 point guard in the nation.\u00a0 Harrow is strongly considered one of the best “true point guards” in this freshman class, even though he averaged over 31 points per game in high school in Marietta, GA.\u00a0 His backcourt mate this year is another freshman from Georgia, Lorenzo Brown<\/strong>, who actually was named GA’s Mr. Basketball two years ago (he took a year off to go to prep school for academic eligibility purposes).\u00a0 Brown is another dynamic scorer and should team incredibly well with fellow freshmen Leslie and Harrow.\u00a0<\/p>\n The fifth starter, to go along with the three freshmen and Smith will be one of two\u00a0sophomore bigs.\u00a0 6’8″ Richard Howell<\/strong>, another Georgian, was a pretty decent recruit in last year’s class, but was hobbled most of the year from an early-season injury.\u00a0 He’s back and healthy and they expect him to put up some numbers this year.\u00a0 6’9″ DeShawn Painter<\/strong> was also considered a very good recruit last year, having originally committed to Florida, but struggled adjusting to the speed and tempo of the ACC.\u00a0 With a year under his belt, the ‘Pack expects more from Painter this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are They Better Than Last Year? Questions Coaching?\u00a0 Many people question the competency of Sidney Lowe.\u00a0 I am not one of those people, but I am still waiting for him to put together a solid season in Raleigh.\u00a0<\/p>\n Their Ceiling The Relevants Clemson Maryland Miami<\/em>\u00a0 Florida St. Georgia Tech The Irrelevants<\/strong> Over the next week or two, BSB will be previewing each of the major conferences in the college basketball season.\u00a0 With the ACC-Big Ten Challenge underway, we figured we’d start with those two conferences.\u00a0 Hopefully, I’ll finish the Big Ten … Continue reading \n
\nMuch of my facts for these previews come from the book I like to call “The Bible” of college basketball, the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, so I’d like to put up in our preview their picks for the all-conference teams:<\/p>\n
\nMalcolm Delaney (Virginia Tech)
\nNolan Smith (Duke)
\nTracy Smith (N.C. State)
\nChris Singleton (Florida State)<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>And,\u00a0BSB will try and project the standings for each conference before the team-by-team previews:<\/p>\n\n
\nVery Likely Tournament Teams:<\/span>\u00a0 UNC, Va Tech, N.C. State
\nPossible Tournament Teams:<\/span>\u00a0 Maryland, Miami, Florida St., Clemson, Georgia Tech
\nPossible NIT Teams:<\/span>\u00a0 Virginia
\nUnlikely Postseason Teams:<\/span>\u00a0 Wake Forest, Boston College<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>To quote the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook (aka, “The Bible”), “It’s ironic.\u00a0 Duke might very well be the nation’s most talented team this season, but last year’s Blue Devil team proved that the most talented team doesn’t always win.”\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>This team is absolutely stacked with talent.\u00a0 Kyle Singler<\/strong> – for some silly reason like “valuing education” – decided to forego a possible lottery selection to come back, get his degree, and try and win another national title in Durham.\u00a0 Singler, this year, will join with\u00a0a fellow 17-ppg scorer from last year’s title team, Nolan Smith<\/strong>, to form what will probably be the best duo in the nation this year.\u00a0 But, that is not all.\u00a0 They have traded in their unskilled, unselfish bigs for a couple of Plumlees.\u00a0 Miles Plumlee<\/strong>, the elder, made great strides last year and has the elite athletic ability to dominate on many nights in the ACC.\u00a0 Mason Plumlee<\/strong>, the younger, was rated by Chad Ford (among others) as a first-round NBA draft pick last year if he were to bolt for the Association.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/assets.espn.go.com\/media\/motion\/2010\/0127\/REC_100127_Williams_Irving.jpg\" "\\"Kyrie")
\n<\/em>Better?\u00a0 Can you be a better <\/em>team than the one that won the ACC regular season, the ACC tournament, and the national championship?\u00a0 Yes, and they are.\u00a0 In fact, I might say that they are MUCH better – at least on paper.\u00a0 Jon Scheyer is a big loss, and Lance Thomas and Brian Zoubek are losses because of how well they knew and took to their roles.\u00a0 But, honestly, when you replace a decent college point guard with one of the best freshman in the country, and you replace two serviceable role-playing bigs with immense talent, you’ve got an upgrade.\u00a0 Last year’s Duke team never even cracked the AP Top 5 during the regular season, so yes, I’d say that this team is better.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nToo Much Talent?\u00a0 Are they going to take a step backwards now that they have SO much talent?\u00a0 Do you need guys like Zoubek and Thomas to win at the college level?\u00a0 Maybe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>Yeah, I know, this is an interesting team to peg as “My Favorite,” but I really like this team, and the “My Favorite” tag is more of a “no one may know it yet, but these guys are good<\/em>.”\u00a0 I’ve used this tag three times now, on a national level, starting with the surprising Tennessee team led by Chris Lofton then the Louisville team led by one of my favorite all-time college players, Terrance Williams, and then last year for Purdue.\u00a0 This year, I’m going to pick one for each conference I preview, and the ACC tag\u00a0goes to Va Tech.\u00a0 With all five starters back (and almost assured to become the program’s winningest senior class), the Hokies shouldn’t have any anxiety on Selection Sunday this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.techhoops.com\/images\/team\/malcolm-delaney.jpg\" "\\"Malcolm")
\n<\/em>It all starts with senior point guard, Malcolm Delaney<\/strong>.\u00a0 Delaney is a true college scorer, who can score from anywhere on the court.\u00a0 He has also matured his game to the point where he’s not just a gunner anymore, he has really refined his distribution ability so that he gets everyone involved.\u00a0 His running mate in what might be the nation’s most underrated backcourt is 6’5″ senior Dorenzo Hudson<\/strong>.\u00a0 Though you may have never heard of him, Hudson was 10th in the ACC in scoring last year, even though he makes his bread on the defensive end, as a true lockdown defender.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Yes, without question.\u00a0 Everyone is back from a team that was the last team out of the tournament last year, so you have to think that, barring injury, this team should be a solid NCAA tournament team this year.\u00a0 Duke is so stacked that it’s hard to imagine anyone will unseat them from the ACC title, but if it’s anyone, it might just be the boys from Blacksburg.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nDepth?\u00a0 The bench is the issue with this team in that, well, they don’t really have one.\u00a0 But, that is not as big of a problem because this group of starters is used to playing a ton of minutes and Coach Greenberg is good at monitoring foul trouble.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>As far as the conference goes, I think that their ceiling is probably runner-up, but that would be a nice finish for a football school in the\u00a0best hoops conference in the country.\u00a0 As far as the tournament goes, I think that they have an outside shot a seeding as high as 2 or 3, though I expect them somewhere in the 4-7 range.\u00a0 I could see this team making a run to the Sweet Sixteen<\/strong>, but I’m not sure that they have the firepower to go much further than that.\u00a0 Even if everything fell completely into place, I don’t see this team as Final Four caliber…as much as I would like to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>It’s not a stretch to say that the UNC basketball team is\u00a0one of the country’s elite teams, but it\u00a0would be nice to see a\u00a0quick bounce-back\u00a0from a dreadful season last year.\u00a0 Even though I don’t particularly care for either team, I have to admit that college basketball is better when the Duke-UNC games are meaningful.\u00a0 They should be somewhat meaningful again this year.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/rushthecourt.net\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/11\/harrison-barnes.jpg\" "\\"Harrison")
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\n<\/em>UNC is loaded with talent, we all know that, but is it the kind of talent that they need to rebound from a terrible season?\u00a0 I think so.\u00a0 It will all start with super-frosh Harrison Barnes<\/strong>.\u00a0 Barnes, who elicits Kobe comparisons, is the first freshman to ever be named to the preseason All-American team, and from all accounts, he’s worthy of such high praise.\u00a0 He should be the top pick in the upcoming NBA draft, but he’s apparently the consummate worker on and off the court.\u00a0 He has a refined midrange game on the court, and he is a honor roll student and saxophone player off of it.\u00a0 He seems to be the real deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Last year’s team only made the NIT because they are “North Carolina.”\u00a0 Their season was a total loss, so yes, they are a LOT better than last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Repeat Performance?\u00a0 Now, we say all of this about how they will definitely be better, but are we sure that last year was such the anomaly and that this year’s squad (which looks scarily similar to last year’s in personnel) won’t suffer the same afflictions?\u00a0 Are they counting on a freshman point guard to distribute the ball to the bevy of heralded sharp-shooters and talented bigs?\u00a0 Is there enough defense and selflessness on this roster to overcome the problems that sunk them last year?\u00a0 All good questions, though I believe that this team will be very good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Honestly, this team is really hard to figure (mainly because they are going to be so reliant on guys who haven’t ever really done it on this level).\u00a0 I think they will probably struggle early working out the kinks and allowing Barnes to be the superstar, but in the end, I can see this team being really, really good.\u00a0 They should push Duke, at least a little, for the ACC title, and I think they even have an outside chance to cut down the nets as National Champions<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>Yes, Sidney Lowe’s squad is really, really good this year.\u00a0 I couldn’t quite call them “elite,” but I was close.\u00a0 This is, BY FAR, Lowe’s best recruiting class, and if the freshmen are as good as advertised, this could be a big-time contender come March.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>The Wolfpack have four of last year’s starters still on their roster this year, but only one of them, Tracy Smith<\/strong>, will start, and he was more a role player at power forward than anything else last year (though, this year, he may blossom into an all-ACC performer).\u00a0 And, it is not because of anything that the starters did or didn’t do last year.\u00a0 Javier Gonzalez<\/strong> did an admirable job at the point (10 ppg, 3 rpg, 4 apg), but will most likely come off of the bench for his senior year.\u00a0 Scott Wood<\/strong> was a lights-out streaky shooter last year for the ‘Pack, averaging almost 8 ppg as a starting freshman, but he is on the bench this year.\u00a0 C.J. Williams<\/strong> was a high-energy, junkyard dog kind of a guy last year at small forward, who will now provide that energy off the bench.\u00a0 This is all because of Coach Lowe’s dynamic freshman class.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/ukbigbluenation.files.wordpress.com\/2010\/04\/leslie-clouds.jpg\" "\\"C.J.")
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\n<\/em>5-11 in conference play last year?\u00a0 Yes, I think that N.C. State should be better than that this year.\u00a0 In fact, as you can see, I have them as one of the four best teams in the conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Freshmen?\u00a0 How quickly are these freshmen going to gel?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>There is no doubt that this team, especially with Leslie, has tournament talent, so anything less than a tournament appearance will be a disappointment.\u00a0 If everything comes together, I think this team may even win a couple games in the tournament.\u00a0 Freshmen get better as the season goes on, so it wouldn’t completely shock me to see this team as a 6- or 7-seed and pull off an upset or two and find themselves in the Elite Eight<\/strong>.\u00a0 Call me crazy, but I like this team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>There are a couple more ACC teams that are certainly relevant in the context of the national college basketball landscape this year, but I don’t expect major things from these teams.\u00a0 Tournament appearances would be successful seasons for these middling teams this year, though I do expect at least one, if not two or three of these teams to put it together and qualify.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Like last year, when the Tigers leaned on senior star, Trevor Booker, they will have to do it again this year with a senior star, Demontez Stitt<\/strong>.\u00a0 Stitt, a 6’2″ point guard has all the makings of a big-time ACC guard, he just has yet to put it together, and he’s down to his final chance this year.\u00a0 Stitt will be joined by a couple of junior guards, 6’5″ Tanner Smith<\/strong>, who is a “glue guy,” and 5’9″ Andre Young<\/strong>, who, if not for his size, might be a pro-caliber 2-guard.\u00a0 But, alas, he’s 5’9″.\u00a0 The frontcourt is also pretty solid, led by the nephew of Horace Grant, Jerai Grant<\/strong>, and the little brother of Trevor Booker, Devin Booker<\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>Gary Williams’ team has seen some difficult times recently, and though they may not be returning to the national championship picture, they are regaining some of their relevance and have a decent shot to return to The Dance this year.\u00a0 Their frontcourt should be the strength of the team this year, with two sophomores that might take off into superstardom, Jordan Williams<\/strong> and James Padgett<\/strong>.\u00a0 Dino Gregory <\/strong>provides strength and defense, while senior leaders, Sean Mosely <\/strong>and Adrian Bowie<\/strong> will man the backcourt.\u00a0 Cliff Tucker <\/strong>could be a real X-factor for the Turtles, as he can score in bunches off the bench.\u00a0 Though he lost Greivis Vazquez, Williams may have\u00a0a team that more suits his style this year, as they are deep and athletic, so he can get them running again. <\/p>\n\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/a.espncdn.com\/photo\/2008\/0626\/recruiting_i_scott_200.jpg\" "\\"Durand")
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\nMiami finished in last place in the ACC last year\u00a0and lost their two two scorers and rebounders, but actually should be better this year.\u00a0 That is because of the progress of sophomore playmaking point guard, Durand Scott<\/strong>.\u00a0 Scott, a prototypical NYC point guard took off in the ACC tournament last year and might carry that momentum into this year, where he might become one of the better PGs in the country.\u00a0 The ‘Canes should run at least three guards, including two point guards, as Scott will probably be joined by fellow point guard (and Villanova transfer), Malcolm Grant<\/strong>.\u00a0 Scott and Grant could form one of the better backcourt tandems in the league.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>They still have some size and skill, but they don’t really have a complete team.\u00a0 Chris Singleton<\/strong>, the 6’9″ junior small forward was the ACC’s defensive player of the year last year and is back to lead this team.\u00a0 The Seminoles will go as far as he can take them, being a former McDonald’s All-American with future NBA aspirations.\u00a0 They also have a decent point guard in 6’4″ senior, Dervin Kitchen<\/strong>, but Kitchen, like the rest of the ‘Noles really struggles from outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>This team probably just lost too much to the NBA recently, but they should be okay this year, and have an outside shot at the postseason.\u00a0 Point guard Iman Shumpert<\/strong> is the leader, as he can score and distribute as well as anyone.\u00a0 He just lacks consistency and turns the ball over way too much.\u00a0 Shumpert is joined in the backcourt by two energetic playmakers, Mfon Udofia<\/strong> and Mo Miller<\/strong>, who should help out with ballhandling and penetrating.\u00a0 The frontcourt, while very small, is incredibly talented and athletic, with some deft shooting touches.\u00a0 Glen Rice, Jr.<\/strong> could be a star in the making, following in the footsteps of the Old Man.\u00a0 Brian Oliver<\/strong> is also a gifted scorer who is very versatile.\u00a0 Jason Morris<\/strong>, though he has the furthest to go of these three, may end up being the best of the bunch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n<\/span>The three bottom-feeders of the ACC are rather irrelevant this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n