ACC preview
Earlier this year the NCAA tournament was cancelled. This left 64 college basketball teams who all had the desire for a title to lose that chance. The ACC is looking to rebound from a weaker year, where only five teams were projected to make the tournament. Teams like Duke, Florida State and Virginia will look to have strong years once again, and powerhouse UNC is looking to rejoin those teams, coming off of a rare down year. The Conference is looking to have a strong year and looks to add more teams to their traditional tournament bound slate of teams.
TOURNAMENT TEAMS
Duke: Coach K will lead the Blue Devils to another strong year. Sophomore Wendell Moore looks to improve upon his freshman year where he averaged 7.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Add in the third ranked recruiting class in the country with Jalen Johnson and Jeremy Roach and you have yourselves a team. Although the Blue Devils sometimes underperform, look for them to finish near the top of the conference and to have a nice tournament run. Projection: Elite 8
Florida State: Last year’s ACC champion looks to make the tournament for the fifth straight year under Leonard Hamilton. With three starters returning and the entry of highly touted prospect Scottie Barnes joining the team, expect another solid year. Hamilton once again will put the conference on notice and can be a very scary team. Expect a nice tournament run and a top four ACC finish. Projection: Sweet 16
Louisville: Although the Cards won’t be as good as they were last year, expect them to make the tournament. Chris Mack looks to develop his 2019 class into more advanced roles. Louisville brings in two grad transfers Carlik Jones and Charles Minlend who could contribute immediately. Look for the Cards to make the tournament, but don’t expect a deep run. Projection: Round of 32
Miami: After two years out of the tournament, Jim Larrañaga expects his Miami team to be back this year. Incoming players such as Earl Timberlake and Nyiser Brooks look to bring new life to the Canes. It also helps that seven players are returning to the team. As long as they are healthy, they should be fine. Expect Miami to have some nice conference wins, and for them to return to the NCAA tournament. Projection: Round of 64
North Carolina: Despite a rare down year, the Tar Heels will be back in the tournament. Roy Williams brings in the second overall recruiting class of 2020 and returns ACC preseason player of the year, Garrison Brooks. This team is talented, experienced and hungry to prove their doubters wrong. Look for a top 4 conference finish, a win over archrival Duke and don’t be surprised if this team overachieves in the tournament. Projection: Sweet 16
Syracuse: The Orange should make the tournament this year. Returning four starters including all ACC candidate Buddy Boeheim who averaged 15.3 points a game last year, and the addition of Illinois transfer Alan Griffin, who looks to bring a nice outside shot. Although Syracuse has not been elite since joining the ACC, expect them to be in contention for a spot in the NCAA tournament with some solid wins. Projection: Round of 64
Virginia: Tony Bennett may be the best coach in the ACC. Despite not having the resume of Mike Krzyzewski or Roy Williams, Bennett has done well for himself. Since 2014, Bennett has never had the most talented of teams but has won the ACC five times in that stretch. This year the Cavs return Kihei Clark, Jay Huff and welcome Marquette transfer Sam Hauser. This team will once again finish at the top of the conference and will be a title contender, they may even win it all once again this year. Projection: National runner up
Team to watch:
Georgia Tech could have made the tournament last season before it was cancelled. The Yellow Jackets need to improve on their offensive capabilities but have a strong defense. Look for Josh Pastner’s squad to pull off some stunning upsets and make serious strides, IF they can improve their offense.
Coach of the year:
Tony Bennett will once again win ACC coach of the year. His Virginia squad has consistently been the best team in the conference the past six years, and I don’t expect that to change. I expect Roy Williams to make a serious case, as he will bring his team back to being among the best of the league, but Bennett will win.
Player of the year:
Garrison Brooks is the preseason player of the year and he will live up to that expectation. The senior averaged 16.8 points with 8.5 rebounds per game last season and played very well for the Tar Heels even though they had a down year. With a much-improved supporting cast around Brooks, I expect that to give him even more of a case to win the award.
Regular season champion:
I think Virginia will once again win the conference. Tony Bennett’s squad scores low, but plays spectacular defense, which always frustrates the opponent. The Cavs bring back a strong returning core, and I see them as the team to beat. They lose 3 games at the most in the conference in my eyes.
STANDINGS:
1. Virginia
2. Duke
3. North Carolina
4. Florida State
5. Louisville
6. Miami
7. Syracuse
8. Virginia Tech
9. Georgia Tech
10. NC State
11. Clemson
12. Pitt
13. Notre Dame
14. Boston College
15. Wake Forest