This could be one the best teams Raliegh has seen in awhile. Three starters return and a great recruiting class enters. Both C.J. Leslie and Lorenzo Brown are first team ACC talents. Richard Howell is a force down low and could average a double-double this season. Scott Wood provides a threat behind the arc and is solid at the charity stripe. The incoming Freshman class will add fire power and depth. Forward Rodney Purvis will contribute right away and is a talented scorer. T.J. Warren will add great depth to the front-court and will play a key role this season. Tyler Lewis adds depth to the PG position and will be key to the Wolfpack's success in the future. If the Pack want to win the ACC they can't go 0-4 vs UNC and Duke.
#2 Miami
Last year was an odd year for Canes' injuries, and suspensions held them back a year ago. Four starters return including Durand Scott and Kenny Kadji. If C Reggie Johnson can return to form this team could be dominate. Shane Larkin had a solid freshman year and is solid on both ends of the floor. The loss of Malcolm Grant will be filled by committee. Rion Brown will see the majority of the minutes after starting three games in place of Scott and averaging 15.7 points in that role. Former starter Garrius Adams is hoping to bounce back after a knee injury hampered his play.
#3 Duke
Mason Plumlee and Seth Curry will lead the Blue Devils in 2012-2013. Austin Rivers will be tough to replace, yes he took bad shots, but he was able to create scoring opportunities for himself while others stood on the perimeter. Guard Andre Dawkins will redshirt this season in an attempt to regroup. Point guards Tyler Thorton and Quinn Cook have 2.5:1 assist to turnover margin. Look for freshman SG Rasheed Sulaimon to make his presence felt behind the three point line. Ryan Kelly had a breakthrough year and will likely put up a few more points this year. Mason Plumlee should average a double-double this year. His brother Marshall will make his debut this season after being a redshirt last season. Freshman Amile Jefferson could be the first big man off the bench if hes not starting.
#4 North Carolina
The Tar Heels have a lot of guards, but only one true PG. Marcus Paige will be the starter at PG and will have big shoes to fill. UNC losses four first round draft picks who combined for 55 points. P.J. Hairston and James Micheal McAdoo will be called upon to score for this team. The toughest players to replace will be Zeller and Henson who played a major presence on the defensive side of the ball by altering and blocking shots. Joel James has the side, but is he ready to compete at this level.
#5 Florida State
The Noles' will rely on Micheal Snear who is great at both ends of the floor. Ian Miller emerged last season and will be called upon to raise his scoring even more this season. Florida State lost their top three shot blockers from last season. Forwards Shannon and White will fill the void left by Bernard James. Look for Aaron Thomas to burst on to the scene as he went back to prep school and is ready to perform at a high level.
#6 Maryland
Maryland loses G Terrel Stoglin (21.6 ppg) and G Seasn Mosley (10.2 ppg). Turgeon brought in a great class that includes Sam Cassell Jr. and Shaquille Cleare. Both players will make a huge impact and will determine how far this team will go. Seven foot center Alex Len should be a force this season with more minutes. With Dez Wells becoming eligible this season Maryland is now a team that could make a run at the top four in the ACC. Wells was becoming a star at Xavier before he was dismissed after his freshman year.
#7 Wake Forest
Another down year in Winston-Salem. Is this the year the Demon Deacons emerge from the bottom? Seven newcomers join last years 13-18 Wake team. Guard Miller-Mcintyre is the best of the bunch and will get a shot at PG from day one. The duo of C.J. Harris (16.7 ppg) and Travis McKie (16.1 ppg) lead me to believe that Wake Forest can be competitive this season.
#8 Georgia Tech
The top three post players return for Tech, but they will need to make room for Robert Carter. Carter is a highly touted recruit who can provide a scoring threat down low. Udolfa is the best of the returning cast. Freshman guard Marcus Hunt could devlop into the go to scorer the jackets need.
#9 Virginia
Leading scorer Mike Scott is gone. Last year's team finished 4th in the ACC. This team won't be able to reach that level this year if they show promise there is hope for another solid team next year. With only two seniors on the team the Cavaliers will look for a freshman to step up. All signs point to Forward Justin Anderson. Harris and Evans return in the backcourt for UVA.
#10 Virginia Tech
Seth Greenberg couldn't breakthrough into the tournament despite having talented teams which then led to his firing. Greenberg brought in some talent in his final year, the bad news is his top recruit bailed, last years top recruit left for Florida and three others left the program. Despite all that Erick Green (15.6 ppg) is back to lead James Johnson's Hokies.
#11 Clemson
Brad Bownell has been average at Clemson and is bringing in average recruits for the ACC. Devin Booker and Milton Jennings return for their senior years. The scary thing is once they leave who will be the Tigers go to guy? Will Bownell be the coach at Clemson much longer?
#12 Boston College
The Eagles will find themselves at the bottom of the ACC, again. F Ryan Anderson showed a lot of promise after a good freshman year. Watch for C Dennis Clifford to have a big season.
First Team All ACC 2012-2013
G Lorenzo Brown NC State G Micheal Snaer Florida State G Erick Green Virginia Tech F C.J. Leslie NC State F Mason Plumlee, Duke