2008-2009 ACC Basketball Preview
I’m really looking forward to ACC basketball this season, and not because we have four teams ranked preseason or because one of the teams is a heavy favorite to win this coming March. I’m looking forward to the season because of how much the league has improved since last year. Last year’s March Madness tournament featured only four ACC teams. Hopefully this year the conference can improve upon that this year and maybe have a few surprise teams emerge.
ACC Power Rankings
1. North Carolina
2. Duke
3. Wake Forest
4. Miami
5. Virginia Tech
6. Clemson
7. Boston College
8. Florida State
9. Maryland
10. Georgia Tech
11. North Carolina State
12. Virginia
All-ACC Teams
1st Team
G-Tyrese Rice, Boston College
G-Ty Lawson, North Carolina
G-Greg Paulus, Duke
F-Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina
F-Kyle Singler, Duke
2nd Team
G-Jeff Teague, Wake Forest
G-Toney Douglas, Florida State
F-Gerald Henderson, Duke
F-Danny Green, North Carolina
F-Uche Echefu, Florida State
ACC Player of the Year-Tyler Hansbrough, F, North Carolina
I do not think there is any debating that Hansbrough is the best player in the conference, if not the best player in the country. He is a once in a lifetime type of player, he’s aggressive on the glass, shoots exceptionally well, and out hustles his competitors.
ACC Rookie of the Year-Chris Singleton, F, Florida State
A lot of people may see this pick as a surprise, but talk to people inside of the Florida State basketball program and people are going nuts about this kid (I have a friend that works for the team, whom I talk to regularly). At 6’ 9”, Singleton can play a variety of positions and I expect him to contribute immediately to a team that is in need of some help.
Coach of the Year-Frank Haith, Miami
This guy is a great coach. He has turned around a Miami program that played so poorly before his arrival that is predecessor lasted only four seasons. In the four seasons since taking over, Haith is 69-60 overall with a 26-38 ACC mark. His team is currently ranked 17th in the AP poll and 16th the USA Today poll.
Notable Non-Conference Games
Nov. 18-North Carolina vs. Kentucky
Nov. 27-Maryland vs. Michigan State (@ neutral site)
Dec. 1-Virginia Tech vs. Wisconsin
Dec. 2-Duke at Purdue
Dec. 2-Miami vs. Ohio State
Dec. 3-North Carolina vs. Michigan State (@ neutral site)
Dec. 21-Florida State vs. Pittsburgh
Dec. 22-Georgia Tech at Southern California
Dec. 22-NC State vs. Marquette
Jan. 7-Duke vs. Davidson
Jan. 17-Duke vs. Georgetown
For more ACC team basketball previews, check out the 2008-2009 college basketball preview @ CollegeSports-fans.com.