College Basketball: ACC Predictions

North Carolina is above and beyond anyone else in the ACC. Duke is a solid #2. After that well you have a very talented but young Wake Forest team that will challenge or even break the Carolina - Duke strangle hold on the ACC. Miami is an up and coming program and rest will be battling for position.

Best Team In The ACC: North Carolina Tar Heels

Carolina is the best team in the nation. I will be very surprised if the Tar Heels don't make it to the Final Four. All the ingredients are in place for Carolina to cut down the nets in Detroit this year. Yes, Tyler Hansbrough is nursing a stress reaction but once his 100%, it's all good. Hansbrough, Wayne Ellington, Ty Lawson and Danny Green all flirted with the NBA but decided to stay in Chapel Hill. They want to hang a 5th championship banner at the Dean Dome.

Best Player In The ACC: Tyler Hansbrough - North Carolina

Hansbrough has became the face of college basketball. Look at every pre season magazine cover and you will see #50 in his baby blue uni. Hansbrough's engine never stops running and his opponents wonder when will he run out of gas. Averaging 22 points per game and 10 rebounds per game usually means no pits stops for #50.

Team That Could Surprise: Miami Hurricanes

Miami has perhaps the best pure shooter in the ACC in Jack McClinton. He shot 43% from the 3-point line last year and was over 90% from the free throw line. McClinton is money when the game is on the line. In 12 games McClinton's 2nd half on target shooting won many games for the Hurricanes. With Lance Hurdle running the point and powerful Jimmy Graham taking care of the details inside, the Canes could elbow Duke out of the way and, dare I say this, challenge North Carolina for the top spot. I think I did say it.

Who Will Go Dancing: North Carolina, Duke, Miami, Wake Forest, Clemson, Virginia TE

Who Plays For #66: Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, Florida State

ACC Notes: If you get a chance, watch Gervis Vasquez at Maryland. Vasquez should be free to play the 2 where he will be impressive shooting from he outside, penetrating and creating his shots. Vasquez is the biggest weapon in the Terrapins arsenal. Leonard Hamilton loves his FSU team this year. He says its the best chemistry he's had in all his years in Tallahassee. Seminole fans hope that translates into a post season tournament run.

ACC Predictions

1. North Carolina

2. Duke

3. Miami

4. Wake Forest

5. Clemson

6. Virginia Tech

7. Georgia Tech

8. Maryland

9. Florida State

10. NC State

11. Boston College

12. Virginia

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