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
