Conference #1 - ACC

Conference Winner:  North Carolina

It just kills me to type this but there’s no doubt they have the talent to win the ACC.  The only loss is JP Tokoto and that may actually be a plus giving some others players more playing time.  Marcus Paige is looking to have a bounce back year as last year was a bit of a disappointment.  The only solace I take is knowing they aren’t going to win the entire thing.  Roy Williams only wins championships when his teams are heads and shoulders above all other teams.  This team is good but comparable to the other top teams like Maryland, Kentucky, and Villanova.  I look forward to them falling flat again

At-Large: Duke

Yes, I know they lost 3 freshman from last year’s championship team and everybody is up in arms about 3 one and done’s but realistically only one of those players was a true start to finish one and done guy.   Winslow was better than advertised and Tyus Jones went out at his peak….and you ALWAYS TAKE THE MONEY…right Harrison twins?  Coming in to replace this team is another outstanding class of freshman to mesh with the returning upperclassman.  I still think point guard is a question mark but I love the combination of Plumlee, Jefferson, and Rice transfer Sean Obi.  Those three won’t score more than a combined 12 points per game but they will provide leadership, rebounding, and defense.  This team’s ceiling is one again a national championship.

At-Large: Virginia

Virginia loses two starters but like his Dad, Tony Bennett doesn’t need basketball players to succeed.  All he needs is a couple football players and a speed bump.  Oh,  and some old Big Ten refs that allow the putrid scheme he runs.  A great defensive team will get a high seed but eventually they will run into refs who call it tight and boom.  Upset

At-Large: Florida State

The Seminoles have a nice mix of returning stars and an incoming freshman class that should produce a top 6 seed.  Highly underrated this team has the potential to make a splash come March.  Xavier Rathan-Mayes is an all-conference player and Devin  Bookert is a solid senior leader.  All they need is some production out of there 3 7-footers and they will push Virginia for #3 in the conference

At-Large:  Notre Dame

It will be hard to replace Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton but Demetrius Jackson is great guard and there are a lot of returning role players who should thrive with an expanded role.  Zach Auguste is a solid center and Steve Vasturia should be able to step up take on a larger scoring spot.  It’s not all doom and gloom for the Fighting Irish

At-Large:  Miami

Jim Larrinaga has a great one-two punch with Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan but after that there’s not much else.  Those two are enough to lead Miami to a bid but it’s a low ceiling come tourney time

At-Large:  Louisville

Truth be told I had them higher when I first did my write up’s but I think the Stripper Scandal is going to wear down on Pitino and his crew and this year may not be as good as first thought.

At-Large: Syracuse

Speaking of Scandal’s I present to you Jim Boeheim on the bench for the first 9 conference games.  The Orange aren’t as talented as they used to be either and lack that big star that you are accustom to.  I think they make the tournament but it’s a double digit seed for me.

Possible At-Large

North Carolina State