It's Never Too Early To Talk Some ACC Hoops

(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

With a little over two weeks until the start of College Basketball, its time to start talking some hoops. If you live in ACC country you know that hoops season is perhaps the pinnacle of the year. Let's take a look at some of things that we're going to see this season in the ACC.

First let's take a look at some of the story-lines this year in the ACC.

1. Fabulous Freshman

The ACC sports 21 of the top 100 ESPNU freshman for the 2009 class. That's more than one of every five players going to the ACC. This shows us that the future of the ACC might be even brighter than we have seen of late.

The top ACC class was of course in Chapel Hill, where the Tar Heels reloaded with five top 100 recruits. The Yellow Jackets also had a monster class that is expected to make a huge impact right away.

Perhaps the most overlooked freshman class in the ACC was Clemson's. They brought in four top 150 recruits, including two top 30 recruits in Milton Jennings and Noel Johnson, making this perhaps the greatest class in their history.

2. Some Leave Early, Some Stay

Perhaps the greatest losses of early entries will be felt in Chapel Hill and Winston Salem, where the Tar Heels lost star point guard Ty Lawson, and the Deamon Deacons lost James Johnson and Jeff Teague. On the other hand both programs should feel optimistic with who returns and the freshman classes.

3. What Should We Think of the Dukies?

The Blue Devils have made a habit of fading in the tournament the last few years, and alot of it may have to do with their lack of athleticism.

The sharp shooting Dukies can win on any given night if they get a barrage of three-pointer's or are playing at Cameron Indoor, but it seems they can't compete with the bigger more physical teams game in game out.

The transfer of Elliot Williams, perhaps their most athletic player other than Gerald Henderson who left for the NBA, leaves Duke searching for the athleticism. The late recruitment Andre Dawkins will provide some help, as will the added height of their other two freshmen.

4. The Parity of the ACC Will No Longer Be Only in Football.

This season is perhaps the most evenly talented ACC I can ever remember. Although the talent might be higher in some places, experience and coaching seems to make up for it in other places.

To start the season it is unreasonable to think that any of the 12 teams won't at least have a dream of playing in the big dance. While there might be a few more questions for some teams, there is a huge muddle at the middle of the ACC and it should provide for an amazing season.

Who Are the Best Players?

First Team All-ACC

Ed Davis, UNC

Trevor Booker, Clemson

Grevis Vasquez, Maryland

Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest

Kyle Singler, Duke

Second Team All-ACC

Malcolm Delaney, Virginia Tech

Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech

Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech

Deon Thompson, UNC

Soloman Alabi, FSU

Third Team All-ACC

Jon Scheyer, Duke

Ish Smith, Wake Forest

Dwayne Collins, Miami

Jeff Allen, Virginia Tech

Demontez Stitt, Clemson

All Freshman First Team

Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech

Mason Plumlee, Duke

Milton Jennings, Clemson

Jon Henson, UNC

Michael Snaer, FSU

All Freshman Second Team

Ryan Kelly, Duke

Noel Johnson, Clemson

Andre Dawkins, Duke

Dexter Strickland, UNC

Ari Stewart, Wake Forest

A Rundown of the Teams:

It is a little too early and difficult to decide how the ACC will rank, but here is a rundown of the teams and the best and worst case scenarios.

Boston College: The Eagles lost one player from last year's tournament team. Unfortunately it was Tyrese Rice. Rice might have been the leader and best player for the Eagles over the last few years, but it was the players that surround him that make the future bright.

The Eagles only have one senior this season, and need to find more consistent three-point shooting if they want to make it two years in a row dancing.

Key OOC games: vs. St. Joe's, vs. Purdue, at Michigan, at Providence, Rhode Island, South Carolina

Worst Case Scenario: The Eagles find losing Rice harder than thought and can't seem to get enough good victories to warrant a NCAA berth and end up in the NIT.

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