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1. North Carolina
(1st in ACC, 13-3 in ACC, 34-4 overall, National
Champs)
2009-2010 Outlook:
A team that loses four players from the
national championship team to the NBA shouldn’t be able to compete
for a second straight title. That’s not the case at Chapel Hill.
Roy Williams’ squad is re-loaded with talent. Marcus Ginyard
is back from injury and Will Graves returns from suspension. Ed
Davis is expected to make the leap to superstar status and another loaded
recruiting class, led by lengthy combo forward Jon Henson, should once
again have UNC as the team to beat in the ACC.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Ed Davis (So)/Tyler Zeller (So)
PF: Deon Thompson (Sr)/David Wear (Fr)/Travis Wear (Fr)
SF: John Henson (Fr)/Will Graves (Jr)
SG: Marcus Ginyard (Sr)/Leslie McDonald (Fr)/Justin Watts (So)
PG: Larry Drew II (So)/Dexter Strickland
(Fr)
Gone: PF-Tyler Hansbrough, PG-Ty
Lawson, SG-Wayne Ellington, SF-Danny Green, G-Bobby Frasor
Player to Watch:
Drew III- With Ty Lawson leading the attack, the highly-recruited Drew
didn’t have to be a major contributor in his freshman season.
Now that Lawson is in the NBA, someone will need to step into the role
of floor leader. Drew will assume those duties and if Carolina
is to compete at a high level, he will have take control of the reins.
Freshman Dexter Strickland will push Drew for minutes.
2. Duke
(2nd, 11-5, 30-7, Sweet 16)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Blue Devils backcourt took a major
hit when Gerald Henderson left early for the NBA Draft and Elliott Williams
transferred to be closer to home. Still, Duke returns some quality
talent including All-American candidate Kyle Singler. Freshmen
Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly will hopefully give Coach K an inside presence
the team greatly lacked last season.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Mason Plumlee (Fr)/Brian Zoubek (Sr)
PF: Lance Thomas (Sr)/Miles Plumlee (So)/Ryan Kelly (Fr)
SF: Kyle Singler (Jr)/Olek Czyz (So)
SG: Jon Scheyer (Sr)/Casey Peters (Jr)
PG: Nolan Smith (Jr)/Andre Dawkins (Fr)
Gone: SG-Gerald Henderson, PG-Greg
Paulus, G-Elliott Williams (transfer-Memphis), F-David McClure
Player to Watch:
Dawkins- When the Blue Devils found out they would be without Henderson
and Williams this season, Dawkins decided to enroll at Duke a year early
since he had enough high school credits to graduate. Dawkins was
a top-20 type recruit in the 2010 class and will need to play right
away to give the Dukies the depth they need in the backcourt.
3. Maryland
(7th, 7-9, 21-14,
NCAA Second Round)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Having Greivis Vasquez return for his
senior season was a major plus for Terrapins. Eight of their top
nine players return from a year ago and should give Gary Williams one
of the most experienced teams in the conference. There isn’t
a true lost post presence which might hinder the Terps ability to compete
with the better teams in America.
Projected Depth Chart
F: Dino Gregory (Jr)/ Jordan Williams (Fr)/Steve Goins (So)
F: Landon Milbourne (Sr)/Jin Soo Choi (So)/James Padgett (Fr)
SG: Sean Mosely (So)/Cliff Tucker (Jr)/David Pearman (Jr)
G: Adrian Bowie (Jr)/Eric Hayes (Sr)
PG: Greivis Vasquez (Sr)
Gone: F-Dave Neal, F-Braxton Dupree
(transfer-Townson), C-Jerome Burney (injured)
Player to Watch:
Mosely- The second year player is a big-time talent who will need to
take on more of scoring punch from the 5.3 points per game he averaged
last season. Vasquez too often had the shoulder the load for Maryland
and could use some help on the wing. Improving his three-point
shot would be a major addition to Mosely’s game.
4. Clemson (5th,
9-7, 23-9, NCAA First Round)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Tigers were an early season surprised
last season when they won their first sixteen games. They quickly
fell back to reality posting a five-hundred record the remainder of
the regular season. Trevor Booker is one of the more physical
players in the conference and will be joined by his younger brother
Devin. If fellow freshmen Milton Jennings and USC-defectee Noel
Johnson can make immediate impacts, Clemson could be very dangerous.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Jerai Grant (Jr)/ Karolis Petrukonis (Sr)/Catalin Baciu (So)
PF: Trevor Booker (Sr)/Devin Booker (Fr)
F: Milton Jennings (Fr)/David Potter (Sr)/Bryan Narcisse (So)
SG: Noel Johnson (Fr)/Tanner Smith (So)
PG: Demontez Stitt (Jr)/Andre Young (So)/Donte
Hill (Fr)
Gone: G/F- K.C. Rivers, G-Terrence
Oglesby (pro-Europe), C-Raymond Sykes
Player to Watch:
Stitt- Clemson suffered an unexpected loss when Terrence Oglesby decided
to leave school and sign a pro contract overseas. That leaves
a void in the backcourt that Stitt will have to pick up. He’s
been a steady force for the Tigers in his first two years, but will
need to elevate his productivity.
5. Florida State (4th,
10-6, 25-10, NCAA First Round)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The loss of All-ACC Defensive and First
team selection Toney Douglas will be a major obstacle for the Seminoles
to overcome. Derwin Kitchen will likely assume the point guard
responsibilities while freshman phenom Michael Snaer will take over
at the two. If Solomon Alabi and Chris Singleton make the expected
strides, FSU should once again be a tough team to beat.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Solomon Alabi (So)/Xavier Gibson (So)
PF: Ryan Reid (Sr)/Terrence Shannon (Fr)
SF: Chris Singleton (So)/Jordan DeMercy (Jr)
SG: Michael Snaer (Fr)/Luke Loucks (So)/Deivadis Dulkys (So)
PG: Derwin Kitchen (Jr)/Pierre Jordan
(So)
Gone: PG-Toney Douglas, PF-Uche
Echefu
Player to Watch:
Alabi- The 7-1 product is still a work in progress on the offensive
end, but should be a shot blocking force in the paint. If his
development continues at a steady pace, he will be a difference maker,
potentially in the Hasheem Thabeet mold; something that most teams at
the college level are lacking.
6. Georgia Tech (12th,
2-14, 12-19)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Yellow Jackets suffered some major
growing pains last season, but received great news when Gani Lawal decided
to come back for his junior season. Add in one of the top recruits
in the nation in Derrick Favors and multi-talented combo guard in Iman
Schumpert, and G-Tech could be one of the sleepers in the conference,
if not the country.
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Gani Lawal (Jr)/Brad Sheehan (Jr)/Daniel Miller (Fr)
F-Zachery Peacock (Sr)/Kammeron Holsey (Fr-out for season torn ACL)
F: Derrick Favors (Fr)/Brian Oliver (Fr)
G: D’Andre Bell (Sr)/Nick Foreman (So)/Lance Storrs (Jr)/Glen Rice (Fr)
PG: Iman Schumpert (So)/Maurice Miller
(Jr)/Mfon Udofia (Fr)
Gone: F/C-Alade Aminu, G-Lewis
Clinch
Player to Watch:
Bell- Spinal surgery forced Bell to miss all of last season, but he
has been given the okay to return to the court this fall. He should
provide a veteran presence to a relatively young Yellow Jacket team
and help replace the loss of leading scorer Lewis Clinch.
7. Wake Forest (2nd,
11-5, 24-7, NCAA First Round)
2009-2010 Outlook:
It was a good news, bad news sort of off-season for Dino Gaudio’s
group. The bad; underclassmen Jeff Teague and James Johnson bolting
for the NBA. The good; Al-Farouq Aminu returning for his sophomore
season. Aminu should blossom into one of the elite players in
the conference and help provide Wake with one of the deepest frontcourts
in the country. Consistent guard play might be the difference
between a trip back to the tourney or spot in the NIT.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Chris McFarland (Sr)/Ty Walker (So)
PF: Tony Woods (So)/David Weaver (Sr)
SF: Al-Farouq Aminu (So)/Ari Stewart (Fr)
SG: L.D. Williams (Sr)/Gary Clark (Jr)/Konner Tucker (So)
PG: Ishmael Smith (Sr)/C.J. Harris (Fr)
Gone: PG-Jeff Teague, PF-James
Johnson, G-Harvey Hale
Player(s) to Watch:
Woods and Walker- Both bigs had less than stellar debut seasons for
the Demon Deacons. Still, the skill and potential is there for
each of them to turn into important pieces to Wake’s puzzle and possibly
form a �twin tower� type of tandom.
8. Miami, FL (7th,
7-9, 19-13, NIT)
2009-2010 Outlook:
The Hurricanes went as Jack McClinton
did last season. With McClinton now in the association, someone
will need to step up and assume the role as team leader. Dwayne
Collins is a physical force and freshman Durand Scott should help pick
up some of the scoring slack. If DeQuan Jones can be a consistent
contributor, the U could surprise some people.
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Dwayne Collins (Sr)/Julian Gamble (So)/Reggie Johnson (Fr)
PF: Cyrus McGowan (Sr)/Donnavan Kirk (Fr)
SF: Adrian Thomas (Sr)/DeQuan Jones (So)
SG: Durand Scott (Fr)/James Dews (Sr)/Garrius Adams (Fr)
PG: Malcolm Grant (So)/Antonie Allen
(Fr)
Gone: PG-Jack McClinton, F-Brian
Asbury, G-Lance Hurdle, F-Jimmy Graham, G-Eddie Rios
Player to Watch-
Grant- The Villanova transfer will likely take over the point for Miami.
He is a solid shooter and knows how to the run the point. Unlike
his predecessor McClinton, Grant will be more of a distributor than
shoot-first scorer.
9. Boston College (5th,
9-7, 22-12, NCAA First Round)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Only one player is gone from last season.
Problem is that one player was a three-year starter at the point and
leaves as the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer. The biggest
question for BC is who will replace Tyrese Rice’s leadership and go-to
mentality? It will be a season of transition for Al Skinner’s
squad that could lead to a promising 2010-2011 season since there is
only one senior on the team.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Josh Southern (Jr)/Evan Ravenel (So)
PF: Joe Trapani (Jr)/Courtney Dunn (Jr)
SF: Corey Raji (Jr)/Tyler Roche (Sr)
SG: Rakim Sanders (Jr)/Dallas Elmore (So)
PG: Reggie Jackson (So)/Biko Paris (Jr)
Gone: PG-Tyrese Rice
Player to Watch:
Sanders- He has NBA potential and those skills will need to be on display
in the Eagles are to have any hope of seeing the post-season.
He gets after it on the defensive end, but will need to bring it every
night on O’ for BC.
10. Virginia Tech (7th
in ACC, 7-9 in ACC, 19-15 overall, NIT)
2009-2010 Outlook:
A.D. Vassallo, Malcolm Delaney, and Jeff
Allen combined to account for 70% of the Hokies’ scoring last season.
Vassallo has graduated, but Delaney and Allen return to form a nice
one-two punch. Until Va Tech finds another player or two to help
Delaney and Allen, they will be stuck in the lower tier of the conference.
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Jeff Allen (Jr)/Gene Swindle (Fr)/Cadarian Raines (Fr)
F: Victor Davila (So)/ Lewis Witcher (Sr)
F: J.T. Thompson (Jr)/Manny Atkins (Fr)
SG: Dorenzo Hudson (Jr)/Terrell Bell (Jr)/Ben Boggs (Fr)
PG: Malcolm Delaney (Jr)/Erick Green
(Fr)
Gone: G/F-A.D. Vassallo, C-Cheick
Diakite, G-Hank Thorns (transfer-TCU)
Player to Watch:
Thompson- The Hokie junior will likely take Vassallo’s spot in the
starting line-up. He won’t replace Vassallo’s scoring ability
or range from deep, but if he can double his points per game from 6.5
last season, Virginia Tech could be a sleeper of the conference.
11. Virginia
(11th, 4-12, 10-18)
2009-2010 Outlook:
Tony Bennett comes to UVA to hopefully
lead a much-needed re-building process. The transition won’t
be an easy one, but having young talent like Sylven Landesburg and Tristan
Spurlock should help. Bennett’s teams at Washington State were
known for their defensive abilities, and while that trait should carry
over to Virginia, expect the Cavaliers to get more up and down than
Bennett’s Cougars did in Pullman.
Projected Depth Chart
C: Assane Sene (So)/Jerome Meyinsse (Sr)
PF: Mike Scott (Jr)/Will Sherrill (Jr)
SF: Tristan Spurlock (Fr)/Jamil Tucker (Sr)/Solomon Tat (Sr)
SG: Sylven Landesburg (So)/Mustapha Farrakhan (Jr)/Jeff Jones (Jr)
PG: Calvin Baker (Sr)/Sammy Zeglinski
(So)/Jontel Evans (Fr)
Gone: C-Tunji Soroye, G/F-Mamadi
Diane, C-John Brandenburg (transfer-Colgate)
Player to Watch:
Scott- His 26 point, 18 rebound performance in VA’s season opener
last season opened some eyes. He posted eight double-doubles including
a 17 rebound game against Liberty. Scott is the Cavs’ only legitimate
scoring threat inside and will have to effective to open some things
on the perimeter.
12. N.C. State (10th,
6-10, 16-14)
2009-2010 Outlook:
It was a strange off-season for the Wolfpack
as Brandon Costner decided to skip his senior season for a chance to
go pro while Trevor Ferguson chose not to return to school. Add
in the loss of senior starters Courtney Fells and Ben McCauley and in-coming
freshman shooting guard Lorenzo Brown who didn’t qualify academically,
and it will be another long year for Sidney Lowe’s bunch.
Projected Depth Chart
F/C: Tracy Smith (Jr)/Jordan Vandenberg (Fr)
F: Dennis Horner (Sr)/Deshawn Painter (Fr)/Richard Howell (Fr)
F: C.J. Williams (So)/Josh Davis (Fr)/Johnny Thomas (So)
SG: Julius Mays (So)/Scott Wood (Fr)
PG: Javier Gonzalez (Jr)/Farnald Degand
(Sr)
Gone: PF-Brandon Costner, G/F-Courtney
Fells, F/C-Ben McCauley, G-Trevor Ferguson, F-Simon Harris
Player to Watch:
Smith- His ten points and 4.5 boards per game are the top of each category
for returning players. He often deferred last season to Costner,
but will have to take on a more prominent role for the inexperienced
Wolfpack this season.
All-ACC First Team
Greivis Vasquez, Maryland
Kyle Singler, Duke
Trevor Booker, Clemson
Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest
Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech
Second Team
Ed Davis, North Carolina
Sylven Landesburg, Virginia
Rakim Sanders, Boston College
Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech
Dwayne Collins, Miami (Fl)
Third Team
Chris Singleton, Florida State
Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech
Jeff Allen, Virginia Tech
Jon Scheyer, Duke
Landon Milbourne, Maryland
All Freshman Team
Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech
Michael Snaer, Florida State
Durand Scott, Miami (Fl)
John Henson, North Carolina
Tristan Spurlock, Virginia
All-Defensive Team
Ed Davis, North Carolina
Trevor Booker, Clemson
Solomon Alabi, Florida State
L.D. Williams, Wake Forest
Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech
Written by Paul Banks of NBC Chicago and the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]
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