ACC Power Rankings for the 2010-11 College Basketball Season

This is a slideshow about the upcoming 2010-11 ACC college basketball season. I hope everyone is as excited about this season as I am. These are my preseason Top 12 teams in the ACC. Maybe it will include your favorite team. Where will North Carolina land? Who will be No. 1? Who will be No. 2? Find out by reading this article.

No. 12: Virginia Cavaliers

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Mike Scott #32 of the University of Virginia Cavaliers drives by Miles Plumlee #21 and Kyle Singler #12 of the Duke Blue Devils guards in their quarterfinal game in the 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Co

The Virginia Cavaliers were tied for the worst team last year in my book. But this year, they are losing their only good player in Sylven Landesburg. So Virginia will be struggling to get wins this year. So don't be surprised if they come in last or even close to last.

No. 11: Maryland Terrapins

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SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 21: Cliff Tucker #24 of the Maryland Terrapins looks to move the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Spokane Arena on March 21, 2010 in Spokane, Washingt

The Terps are back, but they lost their three best players from last season in Vasquez, Hayes, and Milbourne. Maryland was one of the best teams in the NCAA last year, finishing in the top 25, but this year they won't even be in the top 50 in the NCAA. Nothing good will happen this year for the Terps.

No. 10: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

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MILWAUKEE - MARCH 21: Iman Shumpert #1 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets moves the ball while taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Bradley Center on March 21, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wi

Last year, Georgia Tech was a decent team. But this year, they are losing their two best players in Gani Lawal and, of course, Derrick Favors. But if Iman Shumpert and Glen Rice can step up, then maybe they might have a chance at the NIT.

No. 9: Clemson Tigers

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 19: Demontez Stitt #2 of the Clemson Tigers handles the ball against the Missouri Tigers during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at HSBC Arena on March 19, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart

Clemson was a very good team last year, with Trevor Booker being one of the best players in the ACC. But with him gone, the Tigers drop a whole lot. Their best player is Demontez Stitt. If he, Tanner Smith, and their freshmen can play well, then they might have a chance to do something.

No. 8: Miami Hurricanes

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 13: Julian Gamble #45 of the University of Miami Hurricanes waits to enter the game against the Duke Blue Devils in their semifinal game in the 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on on March 13, 2010 i

The Miami Hurricanes are going into this season with only one star in Durand Scott. Durand Scott is on the ACC watchlist for MVP, and you should expect these guys to show us a little improvement from last year, because I see some good signs for this team including, of course, Durand Scott.

No. 7: Wake Forest Demon Deacons

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NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 18: Ari Stewart #20 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons makes a shot over J'Covan Brown #50 of the Texas Longhorns 81-80 in overtime during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men�s basketball tournament at the New Orleans Arena on March 18

Wake Forest is probably one of the most underrated teams in the nation this year, and the most underrated ACC team this year. But with two of their good sophomores coming back, they might be able to do something this year. I know they lost four of their starters, including Al Farouq-Aminu, but don't underestimate the skills of this young squad.

No. 6: Florida State Seminoles

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ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Chris Singleton #31 of the Florida State Seminoles looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the Old Spice Classic at Disney's Milk House on November 27, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Imag

With the Seminoles returning almost all of their players from last year, even Chris Singleton, expect Florida State to make a run at the NCAA tournament. No, they will not be the best team in the ACC, but I think they can do something this year, and maybe have a big upset or two.

No. 5: North Carolina State Wolfpack

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Tracy Smith #23 of the North Carolina State Wolfpack shoots over Xavier Gibson #1 Florida State Seminoles in their quarterfinal game in the 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2010 in Gr

NC State fans should be excited for this year because of their amazing freshman class coming in. Led by Tracy Smith and CJ Leslie, NC State should improve a whole lot this year. They will definitely make the NCAA tournament and make a good run in it.

No. 4: Boston College Eagles

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 11: Biko Paris #5 and Cortney Dunn #55 of the Boston College Eagles chase Mike Scott #32 of the University of Virginia Cavaliers in their first round game in the 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on Ma

Boston College was a good team last year. But this team they will be better with the return of Reggie Jackson, Corey Raji, and Joe Trapani. These guys will return with something to prove and with more knowledge of how good their college basketball level is. They should be ready to make a run to the NCAA tournament. 

No. 3: North Carolina Tar Heels

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NEW YORK - MARCH 30: John Henson #31 of the North Carolina Tar Heels passes the ball against Rhode Island Rams at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Even though they lost Ed Davis, UNC is back and ready to make the NCAA tournament again this year. After UNC's surprise fall last year, I think the Tar Heels are going to want to play their hearts out this year. The Tar Heels have a really deep roster with John Henson, Tyler Zeller, Larry Drew, et al... And they have Harrison Barnes coming in. With one of the best recruiting classes in the NCAA, expect UNC to be the center of attention starting the new basketball season.

No. 2: Virginia Tech Hokies

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ATLANTA - MARCH 13: Malcolm Delaney #23 of the Virginia Tech Hokies drives up court against the North Carolina Tar Heels during day two of the 2009 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament on March 13, 2009 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevi

Malcolm Delaney is probably the best player in the ACC. Alongside Jeff Allen, he and the Virginia Tech Hokies should be one of the best teams in the ACC this year. Malcolm Delaney will be the ACC MVP and Jeff Allen will help the Hokies even more with this skill.

No. 1: Duke Blue Devils

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INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 05: Nolan Smith #2 of the Duke Blue Devils drives against Shawn Vanzant #2 of the Butler Bulldogs during the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indi

This is a no-brainer pick. Duke is definitely the best team in the ACC and probably the best team in the whole NCAA. With Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler, and the Plumlees returning, they should be unstoppable. But they also have Seth Curry and Kyrie Irving coming in, and this will just make the already outstanding Duke team even better. I see another National Championship coming for this team.