2010-11 Preseason Rankings (Top Half)

It is about that time for every analyst to make a way-too-early prediction of how the Atlantic Coast Conference standings will look next year. Count me in as one of them. Keep in mind some teams could take a drastic downfall with the potential losses of important players.

1. Duke

With Kyle Singler's announcement that he will be returning for his senior season in Durham, the Devils are not only the favorite to win the ACC, but could repeat as national champions next year. The starting five should be solid, but the backcourt depth will be unbelievable. Although inexperienced behind senior Nolan Smith, Mike Krzyzewski brought in a touted recruiting class, including the country's best pure point guard in Kyrie Irving. After Irving, they boast Seth Curry, one of the country's top freshman scorers at Libery before transferring to Durham. Alongside Curry are returning sophomore wing Andre Dawkins, and another freshman point guard in Tyler Thornton, who is known for his top-notch basketball IQ. The frontline should be must improved, as Ryan Kelly will be stronger, and the Plumlee brothers will each have improved their skills inside over the summer. Rounding out the Devils' recruiting class is the first Junior College recruit ever signed by Krzyzewski, Carrick Felix. Felix is an athletic wing player with size who will develop as he progresses into Coach K's system, as well as giving Duke an added dimension in transition they lacked this season.

2. Virginia Tech

Surprised? Don't be. This is a prediction based on the assumption Malcolm Delaney will return for his senior season, which would be the smartest option for him in most draft analysts' minds. He is not on the radar of many mock drafts. Next year he has a chance to be ACC Player of the Year and a consensus All-American, as well as finishing among the elite Va Tech players of all time. As for the rest of the team, add in Florida tranfer Allan Chaney, who has a game very similar to Jeff Allen's, as well as highly touted wing Jarrell Eddie, and Tech could be the deepest team in the ACC. Tech loses nobody that played significant minutes last year, something nobody else in the conference can boast. The development of post player Cadarian Raines is key to the Hokies' success, as well as the development of a backcourt rotation, as there could be as many as seven guards/wings vying for playing time if incoming freshman combo guard Tyrone Garland qualifies academically. Look for Dorenzo Hudson to emerge as one of the conference's top wing scorers. While scoring should come easy, the Hokies also have the potential to be a great defensive team. To top it off, the Hokies have great team chemistry.

3. North Carolina

Tar Heel nation is hoping the letters "NIT" never come in contact with the program again. With the incoming recruiting class Roy Williams reeled in, that should not be a problem for the next few seasons. In Chapel Hill, recruiting players is more like selecting players. If Carolina offers a recruit, many times their only competition is Duke for a signature. This was not more evident when UNC signed arguably the top prospect in the country, Harrison Barnes, who picked the Tar Heels over, among others, The Blue Devils. Barnes will play a key role in helping Carolina return to the NCAA Tournament. The Heels are deep and talented. John Henson and Tyler Zeller form a talented post duo, while Barnes and freshman guard/forward Reggie Bullock will be expected to post big numbers on the wings. Bullock, another high school All-American, possesses a game similar to that of former Heel Rashad McCants. Developing a point guard who can run the secondary break will be the difference between the Heels getting back to the NCAA's and making a run in the tournament. Incoming freshman point guard Kendall Marshall, the third McDonald's All American of the group, could be that guy.

4. North Carolina State

Another potential surprise team to many fans, but the talent is certainly there. State's recruiting class rivals those of Duke and North Carolina in the rankings for once, but there are also pieces returning for success. Sidney Lowe has an experienced point guard in Javi Gonzalez, young, talented post players in Richard Howell and DeShawn Painter, and maybe the best outside shooter in the ACC in Scott Wood. Add in super athletic post/wing McDonalds All American C.J. Leslie along with two highly rated and supremely talented guards in Ryan Harrow and Lorenzo Brown, and State has talent across the board. Chemistry has been a problem with past Wolfpack teams, and this year could be more of the same with the blending of highly touted newcomers and veterans who were not as highly regarded coming out of high school. Sidney Lowe has been criticized in the past by Wolfpack boosters, but has not had this much talent in Raleigh since the 1983 National Championship squad he ran as their starting point guard. Lowe has a chance to earn a fat contract extension after this season with a successful campaign, which might mean a run on the NCAA Tournament. If the Wolfpack ends up in the NIT again, Lowe will undoubtedly be axed.

5. Miami

The Hurricanes present yet another surprisingly high pick. Miami is yet another ACC contender with a talented backcourt. Durand Scott is a feisty competitor than gets into the lane at will. Combo guard Malcolm Grant gains another year in Frank Haith's motion offense, and center Reggie Johnson developed into a force in the paint late in the year. DeQuan Jones is the most athletic player in the ACC in my opinion, and Garrius Adams is a streaky perimeter shooter. If the 'Canes commit themselves to the defensive side of the ball they could be a very good basketball team in the coming year, as the pieces are there to compete with anybody.

6. Clemson

New coach, no problem for the Tigers. Granted nobody tranfers, Brad Brownell in his first season inherits a team that is hungry for postseason success. When Oliver Purnell left in the middle of the night for DePaul, shocking coaches and journalists alike around the nation, many Tiger fans were probably panicking. Need not worry. While Brownell may not be a national name quite yet, he will be in the coming decade. Brownell coaches a fundamental style. His teams are tough, and they will defend. His style is different from Coach Purnell's in that Brownell rarely presses, whereas Purnell liked to employ a 1-2-1-1 fullcourt press after a made basket to push the tempo. Once the players acclimate to Brownell's system they will be tough to score against, with all the athleticism they boast on the perimeter. The Tigers are as talented and experienced at every position as any team in the conference. Jerai Grant provides a formidable post presence, Tanner Smith and Noel Johnson are capable perimeter scorers and defenders, and Demontez Stitt is an experienced senior point guard. They also boast an energetic and tough sixth man in Andre Young who can also light it up from the perimeter. If the Tigers want to challenge for a first round conference tournament bye, Devin Booker and Milton Jennings need to have breakout years.