2013 Virginia Basketball: ACC Previews
ACC Team Previews: Syracuse
Jim Boeheim has the long, athletic players he needs for his 2-3 zone. What he doesn't have is a real 2nd scoring option behind C.J. Fair. Cuse has two big men who should help on the offensive glass, but somebody is going to have to step up outside.
ACC Team Previews: Miami
Coming off the most successful season in Miami basketball history, the Canes are going to struggle. They lost just about that entire team, including scoring leader Shane Larkin, who left as an early entrant into the NBA Draft.
ACC Team Previews: Clemson
Clemson fell off the table last year, losing 10 of their last 11 games. They lost their top two players off that team, so it may be a struggle to even replicate their 5 ACC wins from last year. Still, they have some talent and they'll defend well.
ACC Team Previews: Maryland
Maryland turned the ball over as much as almost anybody in the nation. They also didn't force many turnovers, which is a bad combination. If they can turn that around, they could be a surprise in their final ACC season.
ACC Team Previews: Georgia Tech
The Jackets are led by two forwards, Robert Carter Jr and Marcus Georges-Hunt. They are joined by Tennessee transfer Trae Golden, who will step in at PG. The team won 6 conference wins last year, and should be happy to improve on that this year.
ACC Team Previews: Boston College
BC was probably the worst defensive team in the ACC last year. Offensively, they weren't bad, mostly because they shot the ball well. They return almost that entire team, now a year older. If they learn to play some D, they could make the tourney.
ACC Team Previews: Pittsburgh
Pitt lost a great deal from last year's NCAA tournament team. They'll still defend hard, still rebound very well, but they may struggle to repeat last year's overall success.
ACC Team Previews: Notre Dame
Notre Dame joined the expanded ACC this year, and figures to be among the more successful teams in the conference. They have talent, depth and experience, especially in the backcourt.
ACC Team Previews: Virginia Tech
The Hokies lost one of the best players in the nation from last year, and haven't really replaced him at all. They may improve defensively, but they are going to struggle to score without Green's one-man show.
ACC Team Previews: UNC
The Tar Heels, as usual, are as talented as anybody in the ACC. They are chock full of burger-boys and bring in 3 top 100 players. But the offseason legal troubles of P.J. Hairston could continue to cause problems for them as the season begins.
ACC Team Previews: Duke
For a team that lost its top 3 scorers, Duke is still a scary team. Led by a junior PG and a freshman forward, this team should compete for the ACC (and national) title.
ACC Team Previews: North Caroline State
The Wolfpack must replace 60 points per game from last year, after all of the personnel that they lost. T.J. Warren will be asked to shoulder much of that load, but some talented freshmen will help. Still, it's way too much to lose.
ACC Team Previews: Wake Forest
Wake finished 6-12 last year and lost its best player, C.J. Harris. They defend well, but there simply isn't enough talent for Wake to improve that record in an improved ACC. They'll likely finish near the bottom of the league.
ACC Team Previews: FSU
The Noles finished .500 in the ACC last year, despite a relatively poor statistical profile. They shot the ball very well, and return most of last year's rotation, so there is reason for optimism. However, they'll need to improve in a lot of areas.