College Basketball - Part 6

Well, it's down to the ACC or the Big East. I am a huge Duke fan. I don't know if any of you know that but yea, Duke college basketball is it for me. I talk about the Niners a lot but Duke is where I am. Also, North Carolina is where I am not. Don't get me wrong, I acknowledge the Heels are good. Hansbrough and Lawson are great but that doesn't mean I like them. I don't, I really don't and I can't wait for February 11 when the Heels visit Cameron.



Ok, I just talked about Duke and North Carolina and my feelings about both. That is my lead into the number 2 conference in the country. It's the ACC. Yes, the Big East is the best basketball in the country this year and its really not close.



From 12 to 1, let's talk ACC ball.



12. Virginia Cavaliers - This team isn't good. Sean Singletary graduated and he was really the only good thing about last year's team. I don't know any of the players on this year's team. They don't have a go to guy anymore and the point guard is going to be new. That's not good when you are playing in a conference like the ACC.



11. Boston College Eagles - Tyrese Rice is great. I'm telling you to watch a game BC plays in this year just so you can see that kid play. He will probably be an All-ACC guy at the end of the year. Unfortunately for Tyrese, he is about all this team has. They have some role players that could step up and make a difference but again, playing in the ACC is tough and these role players are going to find that out early and often. They might pull a few upsets here and there but expect the Eagles to be right around .500 all season.



10. N.C. State Wolfpack - They lost J.J. Hickson to the NBA. I personally that's not too terrible. He made this team get away from the team it was and look more at individual performances. If this team get back to the way it was playing when it was winning 20+ games a season we could be in for something. I don't see it. They will be better then they were last year but not by a lot. This team is working its way back up to the top of the ACC but it will take a couple of years.



9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - They signed a McDonald's All-American in Iman Shumpert and he will probably be able to make a significant contribution right away. I don't have much else on this team. They have a couple of solid players but just don't have enough to stay competitive in the ACC. In a couple of years, maybe, but not quite yet.



8. Florida State Seminoles - The good news here is that their best player is a senior. Toney Douglas is darn good and this team was an NIT team last year. Chris Singleton picks the Noles over Tennessee and Kentucky and is regarded as the best freshmen since Von Wafer to come to Tallahassee. There is always a team that overachieves in the ACC and I feel that this team has the best chance to do that. Look out for Florida State. I think this team will have a real shot at making the big dance this year.



7. Maryland Terrapins - I know, they lost their only two real big men but Gary Williams is a great coach. Once of the best in the country. He knows how to coach kids up. They still have Greivis Vasquez who may be a little out of control sometimes but he can definitely score the ball. This is a young team and I know that usually doesn't translate well in the ACC but I just have faith in Gary Williams. This pick is more about him then his players.



6. Clemson Tigers - This team will be very solid. Oliver Purnell is a darn good coach that will have his boys prepared every night. This team might night have the most talent in the conference but it will be able to compete night in and night out when it comes to crunch time. They lost in the first round last year to Villanova and another trip to the dance could be in their future. K.C. Rivers will be the top scorer most likely but all the role players will play a significant role in this teams success.

5. Virginia Tech Hokies - If it weren't for bad luck this team would have no luck. I've been trying to stay away from what has already happened this year but this team has already lost two games at the buzzer. This team prides itself on defense and because of that they will be in a lot of games. This team is led by 2 seniors, A.D. Vassallo and Cheick Diakite. The rest of the players will be sophomores and freshmen but this team will be there at the end and will hope to improve on their NIT quarterfinal loss from last year.

4. Miami Hurricanes - Jack McClinton is a stud. He can shoot from anywhere and usually makes it. He isn't the only player they have though. They have 4 returning starters from a team that finished 23-11 last year with a respectable 8-8 record in the ACC. This was after being picked by many to finish last in the conference. Another year under their belts should do wonders. This team will be in every game this year. I could see them winning 23 or more again this year.

3. Wake Forest Demon Deacons - Ok, here is a team that is returning everybody, and I mean everybody and also has the best class coming in of anyone in the conference. Be ready for the Deac's to return to the top of this league and to stay here for the near future. It's hard to point out one or two players here as their are so many to choose from. Al-Farouq Aminu will probably be the best freshman in the conference as long as he plays enough. He should and this team should be really good!

2. Duke Blue Devils - It pains me to put this team second. This may be the best Duke team since Mike Dunleavy and Jay Williams. The teams of the late '90s. Gerald Henderson is an incredible athlete. Jon Scheyer is a great shooter. Kyle Singler is great all-around and if need be can be solid on the inside. Greg Paulus is coming off the bench this year as Nolan Smith has been inserted into the starting lineup. This team could go 10 deep into its rotation and I think that will help keep this team fresh come March. Look for a deep run by this team. February 11th, the Heels come to Cameron and we will see how good the Blue Devils really are then.

1. North Carolina Tar Heels - People are asking whether this team can go undefeated. I don't think so! They are really good, don't get me wrong but it's so hard to go undefeated that I just don't think anyone will. Ty Lawson is probably the best point guard in the nation and Tyler Hansbrough is probably the best big man in the nation. Roy Williams is one of the best coaches in the nation. Wayne Ellington may be the best or second best pure athlete in the nation. That's a lot of bests' in the nation. Right now they are the best team in the nation and very well could be the whole season. Anything short of a national title this year would be a disappointment.

That's the ACC fans. It's deep and its filled with some of the nation's best teams and players. It's going to be a fun conference to watch and the game on February 11th might be the best one of the year. Tomorrow comes the Big East which is the deepest conference I have seen in years.