2012-13 ACC Hoops Predictions

Outside of Florida State and Clemson, the ACC has sufficiently embarrassed itself in football this season. It's safe to say that most ACC fans are ready for basketball season.  And, fortunately for them, hoops season begins this week.  Although the ACC has no real national title contenders this year (maybe one), I think the league is deeper than it was last season and could have as many as 7 teams dancing in March. There are no easy outs like there have been the last few years (see: Wake Forest). The league is moving from 16 to 18 conference games, and I think every team will win at least 4 league games. Without further ado, ChopCulture's predictions for 2012-13 are as follows:

1) Duke

NC State is getting all of the hype, but Duke is the best team in the conference and easily a top 10 squad nationally. 7 of Duke's top 9 scorers return, and they bring in two 5-star freshmen -- Amile Jefferson and Rasheed Sulaimon. Seth Curry, Mason Plumlee (the best of the 3 Plumlees), and Ryan Kelly make for a dangerous inside-outside trio. The Blue Devils lost Austin Rivers to the Association, but Curry, Tyler Thornton, and Quinn Cook can carry the load in the backcourt.

2) NC State

NC State is without question a team on the rise, but they are also a bit overrated. The Pack brings back its top four scorers and also landed three McDonald's All-Americans, but let's not forget that this team barely squeezed into the NCAA Tournament last year. Don't get me wrong -- this is a dangerous team that deserves to be ranked in the preseason top 15-20 (just not the top 5). Scott Wood is arguably the best shooter in the ACC, Lorenzo Brown is a proven floor general, CJ Leslie is the consensus pick for ACC player of the year, and Richard Howell is a beast on the boards. No one will look past the Pack this season, but they have to prove to the doubters that they are the kings of Tobacco Road.

3) UNC

The Heels' lineup was gutted by the NBA draft including 4 of the top 5 scorers, the top three rebounders, and their assist leader, but the cupboard is not bare. James Michael McAdoo is an outstanding athlete in the post, Leslie McDonald and Dexter Strickland return from injury, and Reggie Bullock and PJ Hairston can both flat out shoot. The X factor will be freshman point guard Marcus Paige. If Paige can step in and manage the offense efficiently, then the Heels could challenge for the conference crown.

4) Miami

If you're looking for a sleeper in the ACC, look no further than the U. The Canes are a senior-laden squad with four returning starters. Reggie Johnson is a load down low at 6'10'' and 300 pounds. There are very few post players in the league that can guard Johnson straight up. Durand Scott and the supporting cast are experienced and will not be intimidated playing on the road in the ACC.

5) FSU

I am not completely sold on the Noles. Michael Snaer is one of the best players in the ACC, but the rest of last year's starters are gone.  Juniors Ian Miller and Okaro White will need to increase their roles and their scoring averages for the Noles to finish better than the middle of the conference.

6) Maryland

Mark Turgeon is quietly putting together a solid rebuilding job at Maryland.  I thought it would take much longer to recover from Gary Williams' retirement.  The Terps lost their top two scorers from last season, including sophomore Terrell Stoglin who was suspended from the team after last season and then promptly left school. Stoglin was a huge loss, but the young nucleus of 7'1'' Alex Len (soph), Nick Faust (soph), Shaq Cleare (fresh), and Jake Layman (fresh) will do good things for the next several years. In addition, the Terps add transfers Dez Well (Xavier) and Evan Smotrycz (Michigan) and a strong recruiting class next season.

7) UVA

The Hoos will probably take a step back this year, but the future looks bright in Charlottesville.   Mike Scott is gone and will be missed. None of UVA's returning post players have anywhere near the offensive talent of Scott. Transfer Anthony Gill (South Carolina) will sit out this season and be ready to start from day 1 next season. UVA's two best point guards (Jontel Evans and Malcolm Brogdon) are both nursing foot injuries and their returns are uncertain.  The good news: wing Joe Harris is one of the best players in the ACC and UVA has three of the best freshmen in the league in Justin Anderson, Evan Nolte, and Mike Tobey. The 6'11'' Tobey's adjustment to college hoops will be the most critical as UVA needs frontcourt help immediately.

8) Virginia Tech

Most experts are picking the Hokies to finish 11th or 12th, but I think the Hokies are underrated. Although they lost prized recruit Montrezl Harrell to Louisville and Dorian Finney-Smith transferred after Seth Greenberg's departure, Virginia Tech has an impressive backcourt in point guard Erick Green and shooters Jarrell Eddie and Robert Brown. New coach James Johnson wants to get out on the run and play an up-tempo style, and he has the guards to do it.  The frontcourt is a bigger question mark.

9) Wake Forest

The scoring of Travis McKie and CJ Harris will keep the Demon Deacons out the ACC's cellar this season. Wake Forest has a few promising recruits, most notably point guard Codi Miller-McIntyre and small forward Arnaud Moto. They will play and contribute right away.

10) Clemson

Milton Jennings and Devin Booker will lead the Tigers in scoring and rebounding this year, but it remains to be seen if anyone else on the roster can play at a high level. I expect Jennings, a former McDonald's All-American, to have a solid senior season after a somewhat disappointing first three years.

11) Georgia Tech

Leader scorer Glen Rice, Jr. was dismissed from the team after a shooting incident. With only one senior on the team, the Jackets will need their promising freshmen to step up if they have any chance of playing in the postseason.  Brian Gregory has the Ramblin' Wreck on the right track, although the results might not come until next season.

12) Boston College

BC has some talent -- there is no doubt about that. They are just very young. BC could feature a starting five of all sophomores. The frontcourt will be led by Dennis Clifford and Ryan Anderson. I picked the Eagles last because of their lack of veteran leadership, but it would not surprise me to see them finish somewhere closer to the middle of the pack.