What Are Your "Too Early" Predictions for the ACC Next Year?

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Sure we still have a few unanswered questions about a few players, but most of the rosters are fairly clear. So how does it look?

I'll throw out some thoughts to get the ball rolling and wait for our better-informed posters to respond.

Who's best?
Clearly Duke and Carolina will be competing at the top. You might have to give Duke the edge based on pure talent. And this year they should have enough depth. But who else will be in that top tier?

Will UVa make it after losing so many players? Brogdon and Gill are serious losses. Tobey was one of the best 6th men in the conference. And while Nolte was somewhat of a disappointment, he could still make a difference in many games off the bench. They have a good recruiting class but I don't see any reason to think they can replace what's being lost.

Like UVa, Miami loses 4 seniors, 3 of them starters: Rodriguez, McClellan and Jeriki. The 4th being Jeriki's backup. Ouch. Like UVa they have a good incoming class. Unlike UVa, 1 or 2 of their frosh may be able to step in to staunch the bleeding. Dewan Huell, whom we also offered being the main one. But it's still going to hard for Miami to stay in the top tier.

Louisville loses last season's grad students and could lose Onuaku. No agent yet, but I will be surprised if he comes back. Only 1 freshman so far. A fine 5-star SF, but they need much more. Can Pitino lure any more grad transfers or recruits after the way the university dissed Lee and Lewis? Hard to imagine.

Who's worst?
Most of us expected BC to be the worst this season - and they thoroughly lived down to that expectation. Is there any reason to think they'll escape the same fate next year?

Wake surprised to the downside. Part of that was due to player problems and dismissals. But now they have lost their best players (Thomas and Miller-McIntyre). They have an adequate incoming class but nothing special. They look headed for the bottom tier again.

Ga Tech did better than expected last season - winning 21 games - and still couldn't get out of the bottom tier. Close, but no cigar. And now they have a new coach, who inherits a team that lost 3 starting seniors - including 2 of the nation's top rebounders and Georges-Hunt, who could single-handedly get opposing teams into foul trouble (and shot 82% from the line). A nothing special recruiting class. They'll probably be worse in 2016-17.

The rest.
Va Tech surprised to the upside. Sure we all expected Buzz to do well, but not this fast. They only lose 1 player but only have 1 3-star freshman coming in. Nor will they sneak up on anyone next season. They should be solid middle of the pack.

Pitt did better than most expected and only loses 3 players (so far) but only 1 starter, quality senior PG Robinson. But then they lost their very good coach. So who knows? I have generally thought of Dixon as one of those coaches who gets more than expected out of his players. Can his replacement do as well?

With Dennis Smith 100% and the transfer who was injured last season being as good as expected, State could have been better than last season despite losing Barber. But now it seems the Martin brothers are transferring. And Abu is testing the waters (no agent). And Lutz is stepping away from coaching duties. Unless Gott has some more tricks up his sleeve, this might not be the recovery year many might have expected. Might even be the year Gott goes on the hot seat. Like often seems to happen, they could have a fine starting unit, but not nearly enough depth.

 

[Spaceytoyz]

I can't say Duke is the Best until some of those guys play at a college level? I mean what if Tony Bradley plays as good as Giles at this level ?

 

[dadika13]

Guys, we have to face reality...Duke is going to be VERY good next year.

Clemson and Va Tech will be very good. I expect State, Cuse, and Pitt to just be mediocre. Forgot that UVA has Nichols eligible next year, he's a stud.

If I had to take a shot at it...

1. Duke 2. UNC 3. Clemson 4. UVA 5. LVille 6. Clemson 7. Va Tech 8. FSU 9. Notre Dame 10. Cuse 11. Pitt 12. NC State 13. Wake 14. Ga Tech 15. BC

 

[imajericho]

Unc will win the ACC regular. Duke will win the ACC tourney.

 

[DSouthr]

I notice you did not mention FSU, they should once again have a lot of talent. They are bringing in Jonathan Issiacs, good looking player. I assume they wil have Beasley & Bacon back, not sure if XRM is back but if he is dang. The HUGE big man that was hurt this whole season I assume will be back and they have other length back as well. They may be so talented next season that even Leonard Hamilton can't mess it up? I would have them in my way to early top 3.

Duke should be really good but they wil have several guys that will be looking to show case their game for NBA scouts and I have to wonder how that is going to work? Allen is not going to have nearly the scoring ops he had this past season, does that sit well with him? Giles & Tatum are IMO going to be the go to scoring options. Without Thorton they really do not have a PG, they have combos that can handle the PG role in Allen & Jackson but neither are really PGs. If they get Bolden do they start him or Jefferson, I would think Jefferson is expecting to start else he would have come back at the end of last season and tried to help his team in the post season. Could be some friction...

UNC, we have some questions for sure but I think the answers at least I expect keep us top 3 in next season's ACC. Right now top 3 in r

I agree, UVa is getting some talented freshmen but they lost to much and Bennett's style of play takes a while for most kids to pick up. Brogden was the heart & soul of that team, he can not be replaced next season with the guys they have coming in and I don't know they can replace all he did for them by committee.

Miami, Larranega can coach but I am not blown away by Huell and I feel like they are going to take a slide. Not sure the ACC will be as top to bottom strong as this past season so the slide may not be all that far.

VaTech should get better, not such that they move in to the top 3, maybe top 6. Wake may rival BC for bottom of the barrell, NC State may rival Wake for that honor. GT and Pitt are replacing coaches and if they do not slide it is because the league is not as strong as this past season. VaTech and Clemson may challenge each other for the mid tier of the ACC, Uva will be in that mix and maybe Miami. I have no idea what Louisville will do or be able to do, heck I don't even know for sure they will retain Pitino.

As for BC, who really cares...

 

[CrazyHeel]

We win again.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Guys, we have to face reality...Duke is going to be VERY good next year.

Clemson and Va Tech will be very good. I expect State, Cuse, and Pitt to just be mediocre. Forgot that UVA has Nichols eligible next year, he's a stud.

If I had to take a shot at it...

1. Duke 2. UNC 3. Clemson 4. UVA 5. LVille 6. Clemson 7. Va Tech 8. FSU 9. Notre Dame 10. Cuse 11. Pitt 12. NC State 13. Wake 14. Ga Tech 15. BC

I forgot about Nichols, too. That might keep UVa in the top tier.

I assume one of the Clemsons in your list is Miami?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I notice you did not mention FSU, they should once again have a lot of talent. They are bringing in Jonathan Issiacs, good looking player. I assume they wil have Beasley & Bacon back, not sure if XRM is back but if he is dang. The HUGE big man that was hurt this whole season I assume will be back and they have other length back as well. They may be so talented next season that even Leonard Hamilton can't mess it up? I would have them in my way to early top 3.

I had to get back to taxes,

I've been expecting FSU to get good for so many years now I've given up.

I'm assuming Beasley is gone but XRM is back. Bacon has already said he's returning (per NBADraft,net). Bojo is gone. Bookert is gone. Brandon is gone.

I've given up on Ojo. It's always been a question of if he would ever turn the corner.

So Isaac fills in for Beasley. Bell fills in for Bookert. Forrest helps on the wing.

No depth at point, unless maybe Bell can handle it. Unproven front line. Great wings.

If XRM can find his MIA 3-point shooting and can play 40 minutes and if Hamilton can coach a wing-oriented team, they could be very good. But I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[DSouthr]

I had to get back to taxes,

I've been expecting FSU to get good for so many years now I've given up.

I'm assuming Beasley is gone but XRM is back. Bacon has already said he's returning (per NBADraft,net). Bojo is gone. Bookert is gone. Brandon is gone.

I've given up on Ojo. It's always been a question of if he would ever turn the corner.

So Isaac fills in for Beasley. Bell fills in for Bookert. Forrest helps on the wing.

No depth at point, unless maybe Bell can handle it. Unproven front line. Great wings.

If XRM can find his MIA 3-point shooting and can play 40 minutes and if Hamilton can coach a wing-oriented team, they could be very good. But I'll believe it when I see it.

Ojo is FSU's version of Joel James, the difference is Joel had coaching ! I would have loved to have seen what Roy and his staff would have done with Ojo, an amazing basketball body, how does he not dominate the paint?

 

[TRU CANE]

99 title game and 2001 title game probably contained K's two most talented teams in terms of NBA level talent. Both teams made it to the title game and had phenomenal regular seasons. We all know what K has done with USA bball. I say that to say while many of you bring up some legitimate points for concern about sharing the ball, if I had to chose one coach to manage such an issue, it would be K. I have high expectation for next season. But my biggest concern is now being without a true pg on the roster. Again it boggles my mind how folks think K pushed his only true pg off the roster with a title contender on deck. It's ridiculous and it's something that could very well hurt this Duke team unless Frank Jackson actually gets it done.

 

[Archer2]

Don't hijack this thread, it's why the other thread had to be locked. We fully understand your position, we just don't agree.

As for the coming season, if the LOM can't sweep the regular season and the ACCT, he's incompetent. He'll have more NBA talent than any team not named UK. And if he doesn't play 8-9 guys routinely, I don't want to hear a word about a "lack of depth". When he claimed to have only five players, that was utter BS.


My top five would be dook, UNC, FSU, UofL, and VT.

 

[TRU CANE]

Sorry Archer, had to re read my post a couple of times to understand what you meant but I get it and I apologize. I didn't know the other thread got locked due to the DT thing.

I do agree that Duke should atleast have the type of season Carolina just had. Winning the regular season title and acc tourney. But sweep of Carolina? I don't know that will be difficult as Carolina will still be very good, probably the best team Duke plays all year and of course the rivalry aspect of it.

As for this past year and lack of depth? What do you mean?

Jeter? Obi? Vrankovick? Robinson? NONE of these guys were even close to ready. I don't care how much you played them they weren't going to be ready. Duke absolutely had no depth, especially after Amile went down. I don't think Jeter, Obi, Vrankovick, or Robinson get significant playing time on just about any major team in the country.

Thornton
Matt jones
Allen
Kennard
Ingram
Plumlee

I'm sorry but the depth issue was for real and far from BS. That team was put together like a team that did not expect Tyus and Winslow to do what they did

 

[Spacegrass]

I think Dook and UNC share the conference crown at 14-4

 

[TPFKAPFS]

A. shut up with the ratty and puke love!
B. All 4 of those guys would have gotten significant playing time at UNC!
C. ratty lied about many things last year, including depth-it was only a problem because the LOM refused to give them a chance in the early season to develop them then, when they were needed, too bad. Jeter especially would have developed at UNC!

Now to the thread: puke will be really talented, but I bet our team can hold its own against them, especially early on. I agree with the idea that we might share the crown with the rat's nest. I think UofL will be the biggest unknown next year. There is so much uncertainty there that nobody can predict how they will turn out. Top 3 or bottom tier are both possible depending how things shake out with recruits coming or peeps transferring; Pitino or no Pitino; possible sanctions; loss of upper class talent and leadership; chemistry in the face of looming NCAA punishments.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Jeter? Obi? Vrankovick? Robinson? NONE of these guys were even close to ready. I don't care how much you played them they weren't going to be ready.

Psssssstttttttt......................... that's where the COACH steps in and coaches them up! Guess he just doesn't have time huh?

 

[Archer2]

Sorry Archer, had to re read my post a couple of times to understand what you meant but I get it and I apologize. I didn't know the other thread got locked due to the DT thing.

I do agree that Duke should atleast have the type of season Carolina just had. Winning the regular season title and acc tourney. But sweep of Carolina? I don't know that will be difficult as Carolina will still be very good, probably the best team Duke plays all year and of course the rivalry aspect of it.

As for this past year and lack of depth? What do you mean?

Jeter? Obi? Vrankovick? Robinson? NONE of these guys were even close to ready. I don't care how much you played them they weren't going to be ready. Duke absolutely had no depth, especially after Amile went down. I don't think Jeter, Obi, Vrankovick, or Robinson get significant playing time on just about any major team in the country.

Thornton
Matt jones
Allen
Kennard
Ingram
Plumlee

I'm sorry but the depth issue was for real and far from BS. That team was put together like a team that did not expect Tyus and Winslow to do what they did

K was quoted as saying he only had five players which means he didn't consider one of the six you mentioned a player. That's BS because all of those guys were highly reçruited. And believe me, both Jeter and Obi would have gotten significant PT if UNC were in a similar position. Of course, UNC is more inside oriented than dook and has been for a long time and Roy traditionally goes significantly deeper on his bench than K. It's hard to argue with his results but for K to state multiple times that he only had five players is disingenuous at best.

When I said dook should sweep, I was referring to winning both the regular season and the ACCT, but I think we'll give them a run for their money if we return everyone with eligibility remaining. We would have a pretty good combination of experience and talent. Certainly not the level of talent dook and UK will possess, but good talent nonetheless. The production that Brice and Marcus provides will have to be replaced by committee. Hicks is capable of big numbers if he can avoid foul trouble enough to play 30 minutes every game, a crucial factor because he's probably our most talented player. But Meeks/JJ/Pinson/Britt etc... Will all have to elevate their games and we're going to need production from at least a couple of the freshmen in order to contend. Once again, depth will be a strength because Roy will give his freshmen meaningful PT.

I look for UVA to take a step backwards with what they're losing so it may be primarily a two team race for the top spot. IMO, FSU/UofL/VT/Syracuse will comprise the next group.

 

[DSouthr]

In respect to the OP of this thread, can we maybe talk about more than just duke in this thread? It is kinda one of those how do you see the whole ACC teams finish, not just UNC or Duke.

Note, I am not trying to take a low shot at duke with what I said but EVERY team in the ACC right now has question marks, yes even UNC and I have discussed our question marks in depth as to my opinion. Don't be so defensive as to not be able to see your own teams question marks.

I am much more interested in how folks see the other teams in the next ACC season because I pretty much know how folks see UNC and duke.

 

[AWilli6995]

We should be good next year with the thinking no one leaves. Duke will be tough but they don't have a legitimate PG and to me that's key.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

My "sleeper" is VT. Watch for Buzz to take them to the next level. Wake not so much, not sure Danny is HC material at this point.

BC-mooou-GT will fight for the bottom and maybe Wake too. Who wins?

 

[dadika13]

My "sleeper" is VT. Watch for Buzz to take them to the next level. Wake not so much, not sure Danny is HC material at this point.

BC-mooou-GT will fight for the bottom and maybe Wake too. Who wins?

Right with you on Va Tech. They should be very good next year. Same with Clemson.

 

[mikeirbyusa]

Right with you on Va Tech. They should be very good next year. Same with Clemson.

I'm really still trying to figure out if Brownell can coach or not!

He shocked me playing those home games in Greenville, now can he have that success at Lil John?

 

[dadika13]

I'm really still trying to figure out if Brownell can coach or not!

He shocked me playing those home games in Greenville, now can he have that success at Lil John?

Good point but I think they may be talented enough to overcome his mediocre coaching.

 

[gteeitup]

carolina wins the acc
roy wins coach of the year
woods is freshman of the year

 

[coryfly]

There was a thread about breaking down the conferences on the main board so I'm just copying what I put there. Just my opinion on things and many of you know the other teams better than me so can correct me if I'm wrong anywhere.

UNC-If everyone comes back their starting lineup could be pretty potent, especially offensively. A Berry, Jackson, Pinson, Hicks, and Meeks rotations scores pretty well and defends on the perimeter well. Underneath teams with a good frontcourt could hurt them though as Hicks is a poor defender and Meeks is good at positioning but limited. A bench of Nate Britt, Kenny Williams, Luke Maye, Tony Bradley, Seventh Woods, and Brandon Robinson (not counting Shea Rush) isn't going to rock your world but will contribute.

Duke-With Allen coming back they automatically have a proven big time scorer. If Kennard can get consistent that adds another. There is some experience on the bench with Jones and Jefferson coming back gives them a solid defender and rebounder. Obviously, the story is the freshman. Tatum is going to be good but will Giles be what he was projected to be before the injury? We all hope so. If that is the case then the starting lineup will be pretty outstanding offensively and K will have some legit depth. The question for them is on the defensive end IMO but they should be able to score enough most of the time where it won't matter.

Syracuse-Love Richardson and Lydon. They have enough pieces around those two to make them plenty dangerous.

Virginia-I mean, Bennett is coaching a talented team so they will be a problem. Parrantes will be really good IMO. Shayok, Wilkins, and Thompson should all take pretty good jumps and I think will all have good years. He is bringing in a really good class as well. Losing Brogdon and Gill hurt but they are going to be right there at the top of the conference again. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hall surprise some people either.

Virginia Teach-Love LaDay and these guys were young. They aren't going to challenge for top 3 or anything but they are going to beat some teams. They don't lose anyone of significance really.

Miami-Losses a ton and no idea what they are bringing in. They probably take a big step back.

Notre Dame-Losing Jackson and Auguste hurt. However, Beachem and Colson are good players. I say Beachem really breaks out next year and doubt Vasturia struggles as much as he did this year. They have some other ok guys as well and Brey is legit. No one will love playing them at their place.

Clemson-Is Blossomgame staying? If so, they will be fun to watch just because of him. They lose some guys but have a few contributors besides Jaron returning.

State-Will be garbage but they have Smith at least. He will be fun to watch.

I had a write up on Louisville (think they will be good for sure) but accidentally deleted it and I'm tired of typing now so whatever. No one is going to read this anyway. There are other teams as well.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Love your breakdown of UofL! truer words were never spoken!

Go Tar Heels!

 

[Ozheelfan]

A different view, from the bottom up:
BC: ain't gonna be pretty.
Moo: just as ugly but with Dennis smith
GT: yeah, right up there in the ugly stakes
Wake: Will Manning make it to Christmas?
FSU: so how does Hamilton still have a job... Top contender for the less with more title.
Clumpson: only not at the bottom 'cause of the ineptitude of the above teams.
'Ville: lotsa question marks so middle of the pack is an each-way bet.
Irish: lose too much
Pitt: lose enough to slip
UVA: big drop but I reckon Brogdon meant that much.
Cuse: also a big drop: Gbinije and Cooney will be missed.
Miami: gotta give it to Larranga, dude can coach. Plus he just signed a great Aussie sharpshooter.
VT: Buzz is a perennial contender for doing more with less. He's now starting to pull in more.
HEELS: with or without Justin UNC will likely play more outside-in next season. Roy will infuriate fans with weird November/December line-ups while refusing to call time outs before February. a lot will depend on front court health and consistency. Look for Maye to be given lots of chances early in the season.
Dook/Puke: F&*{k them... They'll be stacked. I just hope their team chemistry blows up mid Jan and their season unravels. (One can only hope)

 

[HeelFan58]

I notice you did not mention FSU, they should once again have a lot of talent. They are bringing in Jonathan Issiacs, good looking player. I assume they wil have Beasley & Bacon back, not sure if XRM is back but if he is dang. The HUGE big man that was hurt this whole season I assume will be back and they have other length back as well. They may be so talented next season that even Leonard Hamilton can't mess it up? I would have them in my way to early top 3.

Duke should be really good but they wil have several guys that will be looking to show case their game for NBA scouts and I have to wonder how that is going to work? Allen is not going to have nearly the scoring ops he had this past season, does that sit well with him? Giles & Tatum are IMO going to be the go to scoring options. Without Thorton they really do not have a PG, they have combos that can handle the PG role in Allen & Jackson but neither are really PGs. If they get Bolden do they start him or Jefferson, I would think Jefferson is expecting to start else he would have come back at the end of last season and tried to help his team in the post season. Could be some friction...

UNC, we have some questions for sure but I think the answers at least I expect keep us top 3 in next season's ACC. Right now top 3 in r

I agree, UVa is getting some talented freshmen but they lost to much and Bennett's style of play takes a while for most kids to pick up. Brogden was the heart & soul of that team, he can not be replaced next season with the guys they have coming in and I don't know they can replace all he did for them by committee.

Miami, Larranega can coach but I am not blown away by Huell and I feel like they are going to take a slide. Not sure the ACC will be as top to bottom strong as this past season so the slide may not be all that far.

VaTech should get better, not such that they move in to the top 3, maybe top 6. Wake may rival BC for bottom of the barrell, NC State may rival Wake for that honor. GT and Pitt are replacing coaches and if they do not slide it is because the league is not as strong as this past season. VaTech and Clemson may challenge each other for the mid tier of the ACC, Uva will be in that mix and maybe Miami. I have no idea what Louisville will do or be able to do, heck I don't even know for sure they will retain Pitino.

As for BC, who really cares...

New ACC rule for dook. They will be allowed to use 2 balls on offense,

 

[HeelFan58]

There was a thread about breaking down the conferences on the main board so I'm just copying what I put there. Just my opinion on things and many of you know the other teams better than me so can correct me if I'm wrong anywhere.

UNC-If everyone comes back their starting lineup could be pretty potent, especially offensively. A Berry, Jackson, Pinson, Hicks, and Meeks rotations scores pretty well and defends on the perimeter well. Underneath teams with a good frontcourt could hurt them though as Hicks is a poor defender and Meeks is good at positioning but limited. A bench of Nate Britt, Kenny Williams, Luke Maye, Tony Bradley, Seventh Woods, and Brandon Robinson (not counting Shea Rush) isn't going to rock your world but will contribute.

Duke-With Allen coming back they automatically have a proven big time scorer. If Kennard can get consistent that adds another. There is some experience on the bench with Jones and Jefferson coming back gives them a solid defender and rebounder. Obviously, the story is the freshman. Tatum is going to be good but will Giles be what he was projected to be before the injury? We all hope so. If that is the case then the starting lineup will be pretty outstanding offensively and K will have some legit depth. The question for them is on the defensive end IMO but they should be able to score enough most of the time where it won't matter.

Syracuse-Love Richardson and Lydon. They have enough pieces around those two to make them plenty dangerous.

Virginia-I mean, Bennett is coaching a talented team so they will be a problem. Parrantes will be really good IMO. Shayok, Wilkins, and Thompson should all take pretty good jumps and I think will all have good years. He is bringing in a really good class as well. Losing Brogdon and Gill hurt but they are going to be right there at the top of the conference again. I wouldn't be surprised to see Hall surprise some people either.

Virginia Teach-Love LaDay and these guys were young. They aren't going to challenge for top 3 or anything but they are going to beat some teams. They don't lose anyone of significance really.

Miami-Losses a ton and no idea what they are bringing in. They probably take a big step back.

Notre Dame-Losing Jackson and Auguste hurt. However, Beachem and Colson are good players. I say Beachem really breaks out next year and doubt Vasturia struggles as much as he did this year. They have some other ok guys as well and Brey is legit. No one will love playing them at their place.

Clemson-Is Blossomgame staying? If so, they will be fun to watch just because of him. They lose some guys but have a few contributors besides Jaron returning.

State-Will be garbage but they have Smith at least. He will be fun to watch.

I had a write up on Louisville (think they will be good for sure) but accidentally deleted it and I'm tired of typing now so whatever. No one is going to read this anyway. There are other teams as well.

I don't hope Giles is what he is predicted to be. I hope he is a flop.

 

[coryfly]

I don't hope Giles is what he is predicted to be. I hope he is a flop.

That's cool. I hope he struggles at Duke because he doesn't adjust well, hates being there, and regrets not coming to UNC. Mainly because I don't want them to win. I don't want him to struggle at Duke because of his injuries though.

 

[Tru Blu Tar Heel]

Carolina and Duke duke it out for the top. UVa and Louisville stay in the top four, but are still a step below. Look out for the Hokies.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Ojo is FSU's version of Joel James, the difference is Joel had coaching ! I would have loved to have seen what Roy and his staff would have done with Ojo, an amazing basketball body, how does he not dominate the paint?

I agree.

My sense is that Ojo suffered from reaction time problems and troublesome feet. More emphasis on playing position D and focusing on just 1 or 2 offensive moves could be the Rx for the first part. Didn't I hear somewhere that his feet are a size or 2 different? Something weird like that.

Conversely, I wish we could have put big Joel on redshirt for a year. One more year of improvement might not make him a star, but might be all he needs to be very solid for extended minutes.

I propose a new rule. If someone leaves early, we should be able to give their remaining eligibility to another player. So if Justin or Kennedy leave early, we get big Joel for another year. Whadaya think? Will the NCAA buy it?

 

[TPFKAPFS]

Only problem with your rule is The Kingsize POSs lIke Cal and ratty would just drive off peeps to get more eligibility for their better players. Their fans would then say, "What's wrong with following the rules of the game?"

I think 7th will grow into a very good PG too!