Premature Preseason ACC 2007-2008 Hoops Rankings

This will be a transition year for most of the ACC. Pretty much everyone took a hit this offseason, with only four teams really looking like locks for the NCAA tournament. There is little doubt that North Carolina will be the favorite ... but remember that this was the case last year ... and UNC was nearly the #5 seed in the ACC tournament. NC State, Duke and Clemson have the best shot at giving the Heels trouble for the title

1-North Carolina: Sometimes subtraction isn't a bad thing. The Heels lose Brandan Wright and Reyshawn Terry, but the rotation should be tighter and everyone more understanding of their roles. If UNC is going to make its title run, they better do it now before Ty Lawson and Tyler Hansbrough bolt.

2-NC State: Brandon Costner is my pick for ACC Player of the Year. With JJ Hickson running alongside him in the paint, Costner is free to show his entire game [similar to how Wright helped Hansbrough last year in Chapel Hill]. This team is ready to break out and get back into the ACC's elite. At issue is finding Engin Atsur's replacement ... since he was so key in the success of the Pack last year.

3-Duke: With Kyle Singler and Taylor King coming in, expect Duke to go back to its gun-slinging ways. Last year's team wasn't normal Duke: they struggled to find their offense and were very inconsistent shooting. The big issue this year is ... well, what happens if they keep missing those threes? Josh McRoberts is gone and there really isn't anyone reliable in the paint to score or rebound.

4-Clemson: Can the Tigers get back that team that was scorching the early part of the season? Well, they have four returning starters and has one of the better frontcourts in the conference. They just need to get their minds right. This team has the talent ... they just need to tighten the bolts and clean the sawdust.

5-Virginia: Dave Leitao better thank God that Sean Singletary came back. The ACC player of the year candidate will be asked to do even more with JR Reynolds and Jason Cain gone.

6-Maryland: Gotta love those Terps! The head-scratchers are gone, with their understudies ready to take their place. The team will rely on James Gist and Greivis Vasquez to become leaders on and off the floor. However, this streaky team must find someone who can hit a shot.

7-Georgia Tech: Tech was ready to take its place back on the national stage. Then the NBA snagged freshmen Thad Young and Javaris Crittenden. Now Tech is a team full of big men and no one around to take the heat off them. One good note: the Jackets get UNC, Duke and NC State only once apiece this year.

8-Boston College: Losing ACC Player of the Year Jared Dudley and Sean Marshall will be tough. Especially for a team that relied on those two [plus Tyrese Rice] for most of their offense last year. Rice is back and may be asked to do everything for the Eagles this year.

9-Miami: Frank Haith did an admirable job fighting during a season that saw his Canes kicked around. There is some talent on this team and a huge chip on their shoulders. They could sneak into the NCAAs.

10-Florida State: With ACC's leading scorer Al Thornton, the Noles underachieved yet again. Now he's gone. Jason Rich and Isaiah Swann could form a decent backcourt, but FSU lacks any kind of inside presence.

11-Wake Forest: This may be the calm before the storm. The Deacs were awful for most of last season before winning four down the stretch. Kyle Visser is gone and the big recruiting class is a year away. This is the year the other guys get their chance to show what they've got.

12-Virginia Tech: Ugh. Only four scholarship players are coming back from a team that nearly won the ACC last year.