2011-12 College Basketball Preview: Ranking the Top 10 ACC Freshmen

College Basketball 2011-12 begins in just a few days.

This could be the best season in years.

Along with tons of returning talent, we will see a fabulous freshmen class that will impact not only league play but also which teams make it to the Final Four in New Orleans this March.

Every day this week, we will preview the top 10 freshmen in a different power conference.

We will begin with the ACC today.

Tuesday: Big 12

Wednesday: Big East

Thursday: Big Ten/Pac-12

Friday: SEC

10. Antwan Space: Florida State

Antawn Space (6'8" 218 lbs) is a multi-talented combo forward that will add instant depth and talent to the Seminoles lineup.

Space can post up, down low or face the basket and create shots for himself or set up his teammates off the pass.

9. Julian Royal: Georgia Tech

Royal (6'8" 200 lbs) is a skilled combo forward, who can score inside and out.

His ability to put the ball on the floor and hit mid-range jumpers creates matchup problems.

8. Bernard Sullivan: Clemson

Sullivan has a "ready-to-play" body (6'7" 225 lbs) and a 35" vertical that will help him challenge for serious minutes on the Tigers' frontcourt.

Sullivan can score inside and out, is a terrific rebounder and is an active defender.

7. Quinn Cook: Duke

Quinn Cook (6'0" 175 lbs) is the best new PG in the ACC. A McDonald's All-American, Cook's impact on this edition of the Blue Devils will depend on what Coach K decides to do with his lineup and rotations.

Most likely, Cook, a true point, will come off the bench this season to spell either fellow freshman Austin Rivers or junior guards Andre Dawkins and Seth Curry. 

6. Michael Gbinije: Duke

Gbinjie (6'7" 205 lbs) gives the Blue Devils an athletic shooting forward with a nice jumper.

If Coach K decides to play a more traditional lineup (two guards, two forwards, and a center), Gbinjie could start at the SF. Otherwise, he should still get decent minutes right off the bat.

5. P.J. Hairston: North Carolina

Hairston brings great size (6'5 220 lbs), strength and shooting skills to the Tar Heels' backcourt.

Hairston's role could expand or contract depending on what direction Williams' goes. He can choose between Dexter Strickland and Reggie Bullock (recovering from a torn the lateral meniscus) also.

4. Nick Faust: Maryland

Faust (6'6" 175 lbs) can score from down-town, from mid-range and at the rim.

His size and athleticism cause matchup problems. He could be one of the Terrapins leading scorers right off the bat.

3. Dorian Finney-Smith: Virginia Tech

Dorian Finney-Smith (6'7" 185 lbs) is a long, multi-skilled wing that can shoot it, put it on the floor and get to the rim.

If Finney-Smith stays at Tech long enough, he could be one of the best players in school history.

2. James McAdoo: North Carolina

Even though McAdoo (6'9" 220 lbs) may not start for North Carolina this season, look for the powerful hybrid forward to make a serious contribution for the Tar Heels off the bench.

How many exceptional rebounders and shot-blockers can one team have? 

1. Austin Rivers: Duke

Austin Rivers (6'4" 190 lbs) may not only be the best Freshman in the ACC this season, but he will be one of the top freshmen in the nation.

Rivers has range well beyond the three-point line and can effectively get to the rim without much trouble.