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The ACC has been one of the strongest college basketball conferences at the top in the past decade. North Carolina capped off the 2008-09 season with their second NCAA national title in the past five years. 10 of the 12 ACC teams had winning records last season with seven teams exceeding 20 wins, and three with 25 or more. Duke and North Carolina each surpassed 30 wins last season. Look for Duke and North Carolina to both make the college basketball top ten rankings by the start of ACC play with Georgia Tech and Maryland having the potential to be highly ranked heading into January. Although Georgia Tech is coming in to the 2009-10 NCAA season loaded with talent, I have them starting the season at a close third behind Duke. Maryland could prove to be surprising this season with Greivis Vasquez returning for the 2009-10 season and some new talent in the front court for the Terps.

ACC Basketball preseason Rankings

#1 2009 ACC Basketball Team – North Carolina

Although Coach Roy Williams loses his top four scorers from last season (all were selected in the 2009 NBA draft), he has reloaded the talent pool in Chapel Hill with four McDonald’s All Americans joining the squad this season. The lead returning scorer from last season is forward Deon Thompson who scored 10.6 ppg and 5.7 rpg last year who is joined by sophomore Ed Davis who proved himself as one of the top rebounders and shot blockers in the ACC once he started getting more playing time. The Tar Heels will be looking to Larry Drew and Marcus Ginyard to lead them in the backcourt initially with incoming frosh Leslie McDonald and Dexter Strickland expected to contribute as the season progresses. John Henson and David and Travis Wear round out the highly regarded 2009 Tar Heels recruiting class and should see significant time on the court as we move through the season. North Carolina lacks the experience this year from last, but if Ginyard and Drew can leard the team through tight wins, the Tar Heels should remain atop the ACC.

#2 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Duke

Coach Mike Krzyekski has one of his biggest teams in recent memory at Duke. The Blue Devils won the 2009 ACC tournament, but lost in the Sweet 16 in the 2009 NCAA tournament. Star Gerald Henderson left for the NBA after being drafted at Nr 12 by the Charlotte Bobcats and guard Elliot Williams chose to transfer to Memphis during the offseason due to family issues. The two lead scorers from last season returning this year are Kyle Singer at 16.5 ppg and Jon Scheyer at 14.9 ppg. Coach K’s back court will be relying on Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith along with incoming frosh Andre Dawkins being expected to contribute at the 2 guard position. If Duke can keep their backcourt healthy, the Blue Devils will be contending with North Carolina for the ACC regular and postseason titles.

#3 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech finished the 2008-09 season in last place in the ACC with a 12-19 overall record. They averaged a conference high 17.5 tournovers per game with not really having a strong backcourt. Coach Hewit, however, signed one of his best recruiting classes ever headed by highly ranked recruit, Derrick Favors. Coupled with the return of forward Gani Lawal who averaged 15.1 ppg and 9.1 rbg last season, and the Yellow Jackets are expected to be able to compete with Duke and North Carolina for the ACC title this season.

#4 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Maryland

Greivis Vasquez returning this season instantly makes Maryland a contender for the ACC. The Terrapins have an experience backcourt and additional size in the front court this season to help improve on their 7-9 conference record from 2008-09. They should exceed the 21 overall wins from last yar and make the NCAA tournament in 2010.

#5 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Florida State

Florida State had an outstanding season last year with a 25-10 overall record and 10-6 in conference play. State made the NCAA tournament for the first time in 11 seasons in 2009 and also made the ACC tournament finals for the first time in school history. A bit of a dark horse in the ACC race this year due to the loss of ACC leading scorer Toney Douglas, the Noles bring back the majority of the squad from last year and will finish in the top half of the ACC.

#6 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Clemson

Clemson finished last season at 23-9 and made the NCAA tournament for back to back seasons. They have won 20 games the past three seasons and are looking to make it further than the first round of the NCAA tournament. Clemson’s key losses from last season are K.C. Rivers and Terrence Oglesby with the lead returning scorer being Trevor Booker at 15.3 ppg and 9.7 rpg. With consistent play at the point, Clemson should make the 2010 NCAA tournament.

#7 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Boston College

Boston College finished last season with a 22-12 overall and 9-7 ACC record. The key loss for the Eagles was guard Tyrese Rice but has four starters returning. Leading scorers coming back are Rakim Sanders at 12.9 ppg and Joe Trapni at 13.4 ppg. BC did not sign any recruits for the 2009 NCAA recruiting class, but will look to bring in four players in the 2010 class.

#8 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Wake Forest

Wake is lead by returning sophomore, Al-Farouq Aminu who scored 12.9 ppg and 8.2 rbg last season and turned down the NBA to come back for the 2009-10 NCAA season. The Demon Deacons did lose Jeff Teague and  James Johnson to the NBA, but Wake has one of the most experienced point guards in the ACC with Ishmael Smith to lead the offense this season. If the Deacons can control turnovers this season, they could land in the top half of the ACC.

#9 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Virginia Tech

Tech finished last season 19-15 adn 7-9 in conference play. If they can find a third player to complement Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen, the Hokies could finish higher in the ACC. 20 wins is achieveable as well as making the NCAA tournament for Tech.

#10 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Miami

Miami finished last season 7-9 in the ACC and 21-14 overall. Forward Dwayne Collins is the lead returning scorer at 10.4 ppg and the Hurricanes will be missing Jack McClinton this season. If Miami can find a dependable floor leader to take his place, they could land higher in the ACC race.

#11 2009 ACC Basketball Team – Virginia

Virginia finished last season at 4-12 and 10-18 overall for the 2008-09 season. The Cavaliers are not expected to do much better in conference play this season, but could improve on their overall record with Coach Bennett can get his players clcking in the new system.

#12 2009 ACC Basketball Team – NC State

NC State finished last season 6-10 and 16-14 overall. This year’s Wolfpack just has too many unknowns to predict that they will finish higher in the ACC than at the bottom.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 1:36 pm and is filed under NCAA Basketball Rankings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.