It's Time: 2010-11 ACC Preview

[YardBirds13]

It’s that time of year again….almost college hoops! And while my Hoos are in for a long rebuilding year (I think?), as most of you know, I’m as big of a general ACC fan as anything. So here is what I’m expecting this season from the greatest conference in all the land. (And don’t worry CAA friends, while I’m probably not doing something so in depth for that, I’ll definitely be talking about the CAA lots this season.

Anyways, onward!

#12:

Wake Forest

PG- Tony Chennault, Fr.

SG- CJ Harris, So.

SF- Ari Stewart, So.

PF- Melvin Tabb, Fr.

C- Ty Walker, Jr.

BN- G Gary Clark, Sr.

BN- G JT Terrell, Fr.

BN- F Travis McKie, Fr.

BN- F Nikita Mescheriakov, Jr.

BN- C Carson Desrosiers, Fr.

Jeff Bzdelik’s first year in Winston-Salem could be a tough one. Four starters from a NCAA Tournament team are gone and big man Tony Woods was dismissed from the team. Back is combo guard CJ Harris, who showed a knack for scoring last season and should get plenty of chances this season. He’ll be joined on the wing by fellow sophomore Ari Stewart and senior shooter Gary Clark. The point will be manned by freshmen Tony Chennault, a pretty highly recruited 1. It should be interesting to see how point guard play is in the conference this year, with so many highly regarded freshman 1’s joining the league. JT Terrell is a pure shooter who should help the Deacs in the backcourt as well. Up front, junior Ty Walker and Georgetown transfer Nikita Mescheriakov will be joined by freshmen Melvin Tabb, a bruiser, and Carson Desrosiers, a great passer and a guy who can play inside and out as a big man. Jeff Bzdelik has his work cut out for him, and don’t expect him to have much success this season.

Best Player- CJ Harris

Freshman to Watch- Tony Chennault

X Factor- Carson Desrosiers

Key Loss- Al-Farouq Aminu

Three big OOC games: 12/18 @ Xavier, 12/29 @ Richmond, 1/2 v. Gonzaga

#11:

Boston College

PG- Reggie Jackson, Jr.

SG- Biko Paris, Sr.

SF- Corey Raji, Sr.

PF- Joe Trapani, Sr.

C- Josh Southern, Sr.

BN- G Dallas Elmore, Jr.

BN- G Gabriel Morton, Fr.

BN- F Danny Rubin, Fr.

BN- F Courtney Dunn, Jr.

Steve Donahue coached Cornell to a Sweet 16 last year from the Ivy League. In his first year in the ACC, he will most likely find things a little bit more difficult. All three of Al Skinner’s recruits for 2010 jumped ship when he was let go and two returning players (Rakim Sanders and Evan Ravenel) transferred. Throw in Tyler Roche graduating and there isn’t a ton to work with for Donahue. He does have back Joe Trapani, who can do everything and will play all over the front court for the Eagles. He’ll team with Corey Raji, a scrappy type player who will float to the outside more in Donahue’s offense. Donahue has said that he may play Trapani and Raji at the 4 and 5 and use a smaller lineup at many times. That thought could change if big Josh Southern, someone who has had his work ethic and toughness questioned, turns into a post threat for BC. The backcourt will feature the explosive Reggie Jackson and Biko Paris, a quick player who can defend well. Neither shoots the 3 very well, which could be an issue. Freshman Danny Rubin is said to have a good three-point stroke, so he could see lots of minutes, especially if Donahue wants to play small and Southern doesn’t prove himself worthy of minutes. Donahue will have a few years to get the program on track, but I’d be shocked if they even sniffed the NCAA’s this season.

Best Player- Joe Trapani

Freshman to Watch- Danny Rubin

X Factor- Josh Southern

Key Loss- Rakim Sanders (transfer)

Three Big OOC Games: 11/25 @ Texas A&M (OLD SPICE CLASSIC) Wisconsin/Manhattan, UGA/ND/Temple/Cal, 12/1 vs. Indiana, 1/1 @ South Carolina

#10:

Virginia

PG- Jontel Evans, So.

SG- Sammy Zeglinski, Jr.

SF- KT Harrell, Fr.

PF- Mike Scott, Sr.

C- Assane Sene, Jr.

BN- G Billy Baron, Fr.

BN- G Mustapha Farrakhan, Sr.

BN- G Joe Harris, Fr.

BN- F Will Sherrill, Sr.

BN- F James Johnson, Fr.

BN- F Will Regan, Fr.

BN- F Akil Mitchell, Fr.

I would guess most don’t recognize most of the names listed above. Tony Bennett probably doesn’t. After Jerome Meyinsse graduated, Sylven Landesberg left for the NBA and Jeff Jones and Tristan Spurlock transferred, UVA is left with little in the cupboard for year 2 of the Tony Bennett era To make things worse, Sammy Zeglinski, a steaky shooter who can also handle the ball, recently had knee surgery and won’t be back until late December. The Hoos will go with tough-minded defender Jontel Evans and another good defensive player, Mustapha Farrakhan, in the backcourt. Evans is a terrible shooter and Farrakhan is just mildly bad, but he thinks he is great, which poses an issue. Bennett’s first freshman class should see lots of time this season. Lead guard Billy Baron, who’s dad is the coach at Rhode Island, could see time early on with Zeglinski out. Joe Harris is a swing player who should get minutes of the wing. The prize perimeter player in the class is KT Harrell, who defends well and can also stroke it. He was rated the 6th best SG prospect in the country by Rivals. Up front, Mike Scott is back along with Assane Sene. Sene is a great shot blocker but has no offensive talents. Scott can take over games when he wants to and is a very good rebounder, but he tends to get lost and shy away from the ball at times. Freshmen James Johnson and Will Regan figure to get some time up front, as well as senior Will Sherrill, who can step outside and hit an open jumpshot, but doesn’t bring much else to the table. Tony Bennett knows what he is doing and is bringing in his type of players to UVA. It’s going to take some more time before he makes things exciting in Charlottesville again.

Best Player- Mike Scott

Freshman to Watch- K.T. Harrell

X Factor- Sammy Zeglinski

Key Loss- Sylven Landesberg

Three Big OOC Games- 11/18 @ Stanford, 11/23 v. Washington (MAUI INVITATIONAL) OU/Kentucky, WichSt/UCONN/Mich St 11/29 @ Minnesota, 12/17 vs. Oregon

#9:

Georgia Tech

PG- Iman Shumpert, Jr.

SG- Mfon Udofia, So.

SF- Glen Rice, Jr., So.

PF- Kammeon Holsey, Fr.

C- Daniel Miller, Fr.

BN- G Mo Miller, Sr.

BN- G Jason Morris, Fr.

BN- G Lance Storrs, Sr.

BN- F Brian Oliver, So.

BN- F Nick Foreman, Jr.

BN- F Nate Hicks, Fr.

Last season, Georgia Tech had one of the best frontcourts in the ACC, anchored by 3rd overall pick in the NBA Draft Derrick Favors, Gani Lawal and Zach Peacock. All three are gone for Paul Hewitt this season, and the Jackets will have a completely new identity as they now become primarily a perimeter based team. Tech has lots of depth in the backcourt, as PG will be shared by senior (and constant underachiever) Mo Miller and junior Iman Shumpert, who can also play the 2 and is really more of a scoring guard. Mfon Udofia, Glen Rice Jr and Brian Oliver all showed flashes in their freshmen years, and should give Paul Hewitt plenty of options to go with the hot hand at the 2 and the 3. Lance Storrs and Nick Foreman are both solid defensive players on the wings. Tech should also play a lot of smaller lineups this year and look to run, seeing how depleted their frontcourt is. Freshmen Jason Morris is more of an athletic wing than a post guy, and the two guys who should get the most minutes in the post (Kammeon Holsey, a slender, athletic 4 and Daniel Miller, a big bodied 5) are both redshirt freshmen. Miller sat out last year to get stronger and Holsey sat out with an injury. Hewitt will need to get production from the young guys up front or his talented wing players could go to waste. It’s truly funny how this team will be almost an exact opposite of last year’s team. In my mind, they just don’t have a true point guard to go with the wings they have. If Favors and Lawal were back, maybe they could survive the lack of a true 1. However, with those two in the NBA, I think it’s NIT time for Tech, which should get Paul Hewitt his much-deserved axe.

Best Player- Iman Shumpert

Freshman to Watch- Kammeon Holsey

X Factor- Glen Rice Jr.

Key Loss- Derrick Favors

Three Big OOC Games- 11/26 vs. UTEP, 12/7 vs. Georgia, 12/18 vs. Richmond

#8:

Clemson

PG- Demontez Stitt, Sr.

SG- Tanner Smith, Jr.

SF- Devin Booker, So.

PF- Milton Jennings, So.

C- Jerai Grant, Sr.

BN- G Andre Young, Jr.

BN- G Donte Hill, So.

BN- G Cory Stanton, Fr.

BN- F Noel Johnson, So.

BN—F Bryan Narcisse, Jr.

BN- C Catalin Baciu, Jr.

Brad Brownell takes over for Oliver Purnell, who surprisingly left the program after last season. Brownell, formerly a coach at UNC-Wilmington in the CAA, certainly knows the area well. Unfortunately for the Tigers, he couldn’t hold on to any of Purnell’s recruits, losing stud Marcus Thornton when Purnell walked. The Tigers have only one incoming freshman, a small guard named Cory Stanton who had committed to play with Brownell at Wright State, who Brownell has openly said probably isn’t ready for the ACC yet. One thing they do have, and you have to have it in the ACC, is a steady point guard. Senior Demontez Stitt isn’t a fantastic shooter, but he is a great defender and keeps the Tigers under control. The other bookend of the club is senior Jerai Grant, a great post defender and rebounder who mainly scores on garbage plays and putbacks. The fate of this Clemson team, in my opinion, lies with Devin Booker and Milton Jennings. Both are strong, and came in with a lot of hype (especially Jennings) but had somewhat underwhelming freshmen campaigns. I look for Jennings to have a breakout season (3rd team all-ACC perhaps?) and the Tigers to be competitive in the ACC, staying on the bubble until March.

Best Player- Demontez Stitt

Freshman to Watch- Cory Stanton

X Factor- Milton Jennings

Key Loss- Trevor Booker

Three Big OOC Games- 11/30 vs. Michigan, 12/5 @ South Carolina, 12/29 vs. E. Carolina

#7:

Maryland

PG- Adrian Bowie, Sr.

SG- Cliff Tucker, Sr.

SF- Sean Mosley, Sr.

PF- Dino Gregory, Sr.

C- Jordan Williams, So.

BN- G Terrell Stoglin, Fr.

BN- G Pe’Shon Howard, Fr.

BN- F Mychal Parker, Fr.

BN- F James Padgett, So.

BN- F Haukur Palsson, Fr.

BN- F Ashton Pankey, Fr.

BN- F Berend Weijs, Jr.

Any time you lose the reigning ACC Player of the Year, you certainly expect to take a step back. Especially when you’re also losing his partner in the backcourt as well as one of the most versatile players in the ACC. However, when you also have the ACC Coach of the Year, Gary Williams, you don’t expect much of a drop off. The Terps will certainly miss Mr. Vasquez, but there is experience and talent here for another run to the NCAA Tournament. Sopohmore big man Jordan Williams leads the way after having a fantastic freshman season. I tend to think expectations may be a little bit out of line for him, but he is certainly one of the better post-up players in the ACC. The Terps surround Williams with four seniors, all of whom have had their moments. Mosley and Tucker should be solid on the wings as scorers, both of whom can get hot, especially Tucker, and carry the team for stretches. Gregory is a solid defender and rebounder, but he sometimes gets in trouble when he tries to do too much offensively. They bring in a trio of highly regarded perimeter players in Terrell Stoglin, Pe’Shon Howard and Mychal Parker, all of whom should see serious minutes this season (although everyone knows how Gary uses Freshman). The key of this team is Adrian Bowie. Can he be a starting point guard in the ACC? The Terps have everything else you need to compete in this conference. If Bowie can play within himself (He tends to push the tempo when it’s not necessary and slow things down when the should be running) and not turn the ball over, I think this Maryland team could get back to where they were last year, in a dogfight to get to the Sweet 16.

Best Player- Jordan Williams

Freshman to Watch- Terrell Stoglin

X Factor- Adrian Bowie

Key Loss- Greivis Vasquez

Three Big OOC Games- 11/18 vs. Pitt (COACHES V CANCER) and Illinois/Texas, 1/15 @ Villanova

#6:

Florida State

PG- Derwin Kitchen, Sr.

SG- Michael Snaer, So.

SF- Deividas Dulkys, Jr.

PF- Chris Singleton, Jr.

C- Xavier Gibson, Jr.

BN- G Ian Miller, Fr.

BN- G Pierre Jordan, So.

BN- G Luke Loucks, Jr.

BN- F Bernard James, Jr.

BN- C Jon Kreft, Jr.

BN- F Okaro White, Fr.

BN- F Terrence Shannon, So.

The Seminoles should be one of the most interesting teams to watch in the ACC, just because they have so many moving parts that could change throughout the season. Leonard Hamilton has a superstar that many feel could elevate himself to a potential lottery pick with a big season in Chris Singleton. He is a terrific defender, a great athlete and if he improves his shooting could be a first team All-ACC player this season. The backcourt is deep with Derwin Kitchen, Deividas Dulkys and Luke Loucks bringing experience to the table. Dulkys is a good outside shooter, much needed since Kitchen and Singleton aren’t outside threats. The key there though is sophomore Michael Snaer. The former McDonald’s All-American had an up and down freshman season last year, but showed flashes of being a solid perimeter scorer in the ACC. The Noles love freshman Ian Miller, another scorer who could provide big things this season. Freshman Okaro White is a versatile guy who can play almost anywhere, and Bernard James and Jon Kreft are both community college guys who could give FSU some depth up front. Xavier Gibson should get most of the minutes at the 5 for the Noles, and if he can give them a solid post presence, this should be a team right on the brink of another trip to the dance.

Best Player- Chris Singleton

Freshman to Watch- Ian Miller

X Factor- Michael Snaer

Key Loss- Solomon Alabi

Three Big OOC Games: 11/28 vs. Florida, 11/30 vs. Ohio St, 12/25 vs. Hawaii (HAWAII CLASSIC) Utah/Butler, MISSST/WASHST/USD/BAYLOR, 1/3 @ Auburn

#5:

NC State

PG- Ryan Harrow, Fr.

SG- Lorenzo Brown, Fr.

SF- C.J. Leslie, Fr.

PF- Tracy Smith, Sr.

C- Richard Howell, So.

BN- G Javi Gonzalez, Sr.

BN- G Kendall Smith, Jr.

BN- F Scott Wood, So.

BN- F CJ Williams, Jr.

BN- F DeShawn Painter, So.

BN- C Jordan Vandenburg, So.

This is the year for Sidney Lowe. He has one of the best recruiting classes in NC State history, and a fan base that is desperate for success. He returns one of the best post players in the ACC. A veteran guard who is probably better suited to coming off the bench. A shooter who, when hot, can light it up with anyone in the conference. If the Freshmen are as good as advertised, NC State can be as good as anyone not named Duke this season. Harrow and Brown figure to get most of the minutes as Freshmen, with Gonzalez a senior who provides experience off the bench. Leslie is the most highly-touted and seeing that NC State could largely depend on him, has a great chance at ACC ROY. Tracy Smith is as solid as they come in the low block, but the depth there is a question. Howell, Vandenburg and Painter are no sure things, but if one of them can turn into an option in the post opposite Smith, look out.

Best Player: Tracy Smith

Freshman to Watch- CJ Leslie

X Factor- Jordan Vandenburg

Three Big OOC Games- 12/1 @ Wisconsin, 12/4 @ Syracuse, 12/19 vs. Arizona

#4:

Miami

PG- Durand Scott, So.

SG- Malcolm Grant, Jr.

SF- DeQuan Jones, Jr.

PF- Julian Gamble, Jr.

C- Reggie Johnson, So.

BN- G Rion Brown, Fr.

BN- F Adrian Thomas, Sr.

BN- F Erik Swoope, Fr.

BN- F Cyrus McGowan, Sr.

BN- F Donavan Kirk, Fr.

The Hurricanes finished last in the ACC last season and lost Dwayne Collins before the ACC Tournament. Then they made the semifinals and took Duke down to the wire. Collins has graduated, and the team they have back will look much like the one that played so well in the ACC Tournament. Their backcourt could be one of the most dynamic in the league with Durand Scott and Malcolm Grant, with freshman Rion Brown providing depth. They have one of the most athletic players in the league in DeQuan Jones. They have a skilled scoring big man in Reggie Johnson and a couple guys who can bang down low defensively and rebound in Julian Gamble and Cyrus McGowan. Adrian Thomas is 6-7 and one of the best 3-point shooters in the country and they think they have even more toughness and size with freshmen Erik Swoope and Donavan Kirk. Honestly, if Frank Haith can’t get this team to finish near the top of the ACC, during this season, than I’m not sure when he can. This team should cruise to an NCAA Tournament bid, and I think they’ll be a 4-6 seed in the tournament.

Best Player- Durand Scott

Freshman to Watch- Rion Brown

X Factor- DeQuan Jones

Key Loss- Dwayne Collins

Three Big OOC Games- 11/16 @ Memphis, 11/30 vs. Ole Miss, 12/4 vs. West Virginia

#3:

Virginia Tech

PG- Malcolm Delaney, Sr.

SG- Dorenzo Hudson, Sr.

SF- Terrell Bell, Sr.

PF- Jeff Allen, Sr.

C- Victor Davila, Jr.

BN- G Tyrone Garland, Fr.

BN- G Erick Green, So.

BN- G Ben Boggs, So.

BN- G Manny Atkins, So.

BN- F Jarell Eddie, Fr.

BN- F Allan Chaney, So.

BN- F Cadarain Raines, So.

It can’t happen to the Hokies again this year, right? The past few years have been heartbreak for the Hokies on selection Sunday, as they watched other teams pass them by to the NCAA Tournament. Well, this year, they not only have beefed up their OOC schedule to combat their critics on that issue, but they may have the most talented, experienced team in the league that doesn’t reside in Durham. Returning 1st Team All-ACC guard Malcolm Delaney leads the way and should make a strong push for ACC POY this season. He is joined by Dorenzo Hudson in the backcourt, another explosive scorer to go alongside Delaney. Erick Green proved a capable backup at the PG spot last year and the Hokies like what they have in freshman Tyrone Garland. On the wings, defensive specialist Terrell Bell should get most of the starts and Manny Atkins could see some time, but keep an eye out for the versatile freshman Jarell Eddie, one of the higher recruits Tech has had in a long time. Up front, the enigma that is Jeff Allen returns (he is definitely on the Juluis Hodge All-Stars of guys who seem like they have been in the ACC for 10 years. Allen can be a dominant scorer as long as he keeps his temper in check. Cadarain Raines and Allan Chaney gave the Hokies good minutes last year in the front court and Victor Davila has shown he can rebound and score in the post as well. If Seth Greenberg can’t put this team in the NCAA Tournament than he has some explaining to do.

Best Player- Malcolm Delaney

Freshman to Watch- Jarell Eddie

X Factor- Jeff Allen

Key Loss- JT Thompson (injury)

Three Big OOC Games- 11/16 @ Kansas St, (NORTHRIDGE CLASSIC: vs. Northridge, DePaul/OK State, Stanford/Tulsa/Murray St/UNLV), 12/1 vs. Purdue, 12/18 vs. Mississippi St

#2:

North Carolina

PG- Larry Drew, Jr.

SG- Dexter Strickland, So.

SF- Harrison Barnes, Fr.

PF- John Henson, So.

C- Tyler Zeller, Jr.

BN- G Kendall Marshall, Fr.

BN- G Leslie McDonald, So.

BN- G Reggie Bullock, Fr.

BN- G Justin Watts, Jr.

BN- F Justin Knox, Sr.

The Tar Heels would like to forget about last year. They think Harrison Barnes will make that happen. The best freshman in the country should give Tar Heel fans reasons to cheer this season. Along with John Henson, who came on at the end of last year, and Tyler Zeller, the starting front court for Carolina is impressive. They need to stay healthy though, because with the Wear twins transferring, depth is an issue. Alabama transfer Justin Knox will get most of the frontcourt minutes off the bench. The backcourt is in question, especially with Will Graves being booted off the team. Larry Drew is back, but many think Kendall Marshall could take that job at some point this season. That may be the most interesting plot to watch with this team. Three youngsters (sophomores Dexter Strickland and Leslie McDonald and freshman Reggie Bullock) and junior role player Justin Watts will rotate at the 2 guard. If any one of the three youngsters could turn into a legitmate wing scorer, this team could easily make a deep run into March.

Best Player- Harrison Barnes

Freshman to Watch- Kendall Marshall

X Factor- John Henson

Key Loss- Deon Thompson

Three Big OOC Games- (PUERTO RICO TIP-OFF: Hofstra, WKU/Minnesota, WVU/Nebraska/Vandy)11/30 @ Illinois, 12/4 vs. Kentucky, 12/18 vs. Texas

#1:

Duke

PG- Kyrie Irving, Fr.

SG- Nolan Smith, Sr.

SF- Kyle Singler, Sr.

PF- Mason Plumlee, So.

C- Miles Plumlee, Jr.

BN- G Andre Dawkins, So.

BN- G Seth Curry, So.

BN- G Tyler Thornton, Fr.

BN- F Ryan Kelly, So.

BN- F Josh Hairston, Fr.

The Blue Devils will look to defend their National Championship this year and Coach K certainly has the talent back to do it. He loses his tough lead guard Jon Scheyer and two important front court players (Zoubek and Thomas), but adds a PG regarded as one of the bets recruits in the country in Kyrie Irving and a transfer in Seth Curry who many believe could light up the ACC from day one. Kyle Singler is the preseason ACC Player of the Year and little has been said about Nolan Smith, who could turn himself into an NBA player with a big season. The key for Duke will be the Plumlee brothers. They’ll need production from their front court, especially on the defensive end and on the glass. Thomas and Zoubek certainly weren’t superstars, but they did good work in both of those areas last year. If the Plumlees (along with Ryan Kelly and freshman Josh Hairston) can provide Duke some stability in the front court, the Devils should cruise to an ACC title and be a 1 seed in the tourney as they try to defend their title.

Best Player- Kyle Singler

Freshman to Watch- Kyrie Irving

X Factor- Seth Curry

Key Loss- Jon Scheyer

Three Big OOC Games- 1/18 vs. Marquette (CBE CLASSIC), Kansas St/Gonzaga, 11/24 @ Oregon, 12/1 vs. Michigan St., 12/4 vs. Butler

NCAA Tournament Teams: Duke, UNC, Virginia Tech, Miami, NC State, Florida St, Maryland

First Team All-ACC:

G Malcolm Delaney, Va Tech (ACC POY)

G Durand Scott, Miami

F Harrison Barnes, UNC (ACC ROY)

F Chris Singleton, FSU

F Kyle Singler, Duke

Second Team All-ACC:

G Kyrie Irving, Duke

G Nolan Smith, Duke

F John Henson, UNC

F Tracy Smith, NC State

F Joe Trapani, BC

Hope that’s enough ACC for everyone…Can’t wait for the season to get started. I'd love to see others opinions.

[VThokies]

#3:

Virginia Tech

PG- Malcolm Delaney, Sr.

SG- Dorenzo Hudson, Sr.

SF- Terrell Bell, Sr.

PF- Jeff Allen, Sr.

C- Victor Davila, Jr.

BN- G Tyrone Garland, Fr.

BN- G Erick Green, So.

BN- G Ben Boggs, So.

BN- G Manny Atkins, So.

BN- F Jarell Eddie, Fr.

BN- F Allan Chaney, So.

BN- F Cadarain Raines, So.

It can’t happen to the Hokies again this year, right? The past few years have been heartbreak for the Hokies on selection Sunday, as they watched other teams pass them by to the NCAA Tournament. Well, this year, they not only have beefed up their OOC schedule to combat their critics on that issue, but they may have the most talented, experienced team in the league that doesn’t reside in Durham. Returning 1st Team All-ACC guard Malcolm Delaney leads the way and should make a strong push for ACC POY this season. He is joined by Dorenzo Hudson in the backcourt, another explosive scorer to go alongside Delaney. Erick Green proved a capable backup at the PG spot last year and the Hokies like what they have in freshman Tyrone Garland. On the wings, defensive specialist Terrell Bell should get most of the starts and Manny Atkins could see some time, but keep an eye out for the versatile freshman Jarell Eddie, one of the higher recruits Tech has had in a long time. Up front, the enigma that is Jeff Allen returns (he is definitely on the Juluis Hodge All-Stars of guys who seem like they have been in the ACC for 10 years. Allen can be a dominant scorer as long as he keeps his temper in check. Cadarain Raines and Allan Chaney gave the Hokies good minutes last year in the front court and Victor Davila has shown he can rebound and score in the post as well. If Seth Greenberg can’t put this team in the NCAA Tournament than he has some explaining to do.

Best Player- Malcolm Delaney

Freshman to Watch- Jarell Eddie

X Factor- Jeff Allen

Key Loss- JT Thompson (injury)

Three Big OOC Games- 11/16 @ Kansas St, (NORTHRIDGE CLASSIC: vs. Northridge, DePaul/OK State, Stanford/Tulsa/Murray St/UNLV), 12/1 vs. Purdue, 12/18 vs. Mississippi St

This is about 2 weeks late, but wanted to thank you for the write up here. Good stuff all around.

As an update, VT is gonna have some depth problems in the front court. Chaney is complete question mark, as he has been diagnosed with a potentially career ending heart condition stemming from a viral inflammation of the heart. Raines is recovering from a broken foot. The same foot that he broke prior to last season. Greenberg will surely take it slow with him early in the season, and he most likely wont be back until after Thanksgiving.

Given VT is already undersized in the front court, and Jeff Allen collects fouls faster than rebounds, I could see us having some major problems, especially early in the season.

Also, I am not sure what to think of their recruiting class this year. 4 espn top 100 players, and the 12th overall class. Just seems way to good to be true. They'll all likely get significant playing time next year as VT will graduate 4 starters.

BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg has announced the signing of four players to national letters of intent for the 2011-12 academic year.

C.J. Barksdale, a power forward from Danville, Va., Robert Brown, a wing player from Clermont, Fla., Dorian Finney-Smith, a forward from Portsmouth, Va., and Marquis Rankin, a point guard from Charlotte, N.C. have signed to play for the Hokies beginning in Fall 2011.

The Fall 2010 Virginia Tech signing class has been ranked as the No. 12 national recruiting class by ESPN.com. The class has been ranked No. 17 by Rivals.com and as the No. 3 class in the ACC by Scout.com.

“We feel like we got the two best players in the State of Virginia, which is very important as we build our brand and become Virginia’s team,” Greenberg said. “This class is skilled, long, athletic and posses a great passion for the game. They are versatile, they will be tough to defend and they should be one of the best defensive groups that we’ve had in a long time.

“Having three players playing together for a year is an asset. As well, those players will be able to enroll in school for the first summer session and get acclimated to Virginia Tech. This group has a chance to be one of the elite freshman classes, not only in the ACC, but in the country.”

Barksdale, Brown and Rankin are all playing their senior seasons as members of the post-graduate team at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. Finney-Smith will complete his high school career at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Va.

http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20101110aaa.html

Looking forward to watching this season play out. Glad this section has been pretty active this week.

[PaulBako]

I like the Wake prediction after tonight's game. Wow.

This conference is horrible.

[PaulBako]

acc! acc! Nice job by georgia tech to lose to kennesaw freaking state.

[O's are Legends]

It was the third straight season that Boston College, from the Atlantic Coast Conference, was stunned at home by an Ivy League school. Harvard defeated the Eagles the other two times.

Austin Morgan does his best Jeremy Lin impression. Yale 75 – Boston College 67

[VThokies]

This is about 2 weeks late, but wanted to thank you for the write up here. Good stuff all around.

As an update, VT is gonna have some depth problems in the front court. Chaney is complete question mark, as he has been diagnosed with a potentially career ending heart condition stemming from a viral inflammation of the heart. Raines is recovering from a broken foot. The same foot that he broke prior to last season. Greenberg will surely take it slow with him early in the season, and he most likely wont be back until after Thanksgiving.

Given VT is already undersized in the front court, and Jeff Allen collects fouls faster than rebounds, I could see us having some major problems, especially early in the season.

Also, I am not sure what to think of their recruiting class this year. 4 espn top 100 players, and the 12th overall class. Just seems way to good to be true. They'll all likely get significant playing time next year as VT will graduate 4 starters.

http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20101110aaa.html

Looking forward to watching this season play out. Glad this section has been pretty active this week.

Well, this season is starting off pretty much exactly as I expected. Allen is averaging 4.3 fouls a game, and has fouled out in 3 of our 6 games. With the fouls he collects, he is averaging only 28 minutes a game.

Delaney is only capable of carrying this team so far. With Allen sitting long periods of time, we just have no presence in the front court. Davila is our only option at the moment, and he looks lost most of the time. When he gets the ball in good position, he seems to always be looking to make an extra pass instead of making an aggressive move to the basket. Not to mention he only hits 50% from the line. Raines coming back should help a bit, but I expect them to be careful with him given his recent history of foot problems.

Its quite frustrating to see Delaney go 7-9 on 3's, scoring 30 pts, yet we only manage 59 total points in a 70-59 loss.

I know I'm in the minority, but I really see this being another year that we will end up on the wrong side of the bubble. Only instead of last year when we rolled over a week OOC schedule, we'll get left out for not having any signature OOC wins. It would be a shame for Delaney to graduate without a single NCAA appearance.

[YardBirds13]

Well, this season is starting off pretty much exactly as I expected. Allen is averaging 4.3 fouls a game, and has fouled out in 3 of our 6 games. With the fouls he collects, he is averaging only 28 minutes a game.

Delaney is only capable of carrying this team so far. With Allen sitting long periods of time, we just have no presence in the front court. Davila is our only option at the moment, and he looks lost most of the time. When he gets the ball in good position, he seems to always be looking to make an extra pass instead of making an aggressive move to the basket. Not to mention he only hits 50% from the line. Raines coming back should help a bit, but I expect them to be careful with him given his recent history of foot problems.

Its quite frustrating to see Delaney go 7-9 on 3's, scoring 30 pts, yet we only manage 59 total points in a 70-59 loss.

I know I'm in the minority, but I really see this being another year that we will end up on the wrong side of the bubble. Only instead of last year when we rolled over a week OOC schedule, we'll get left out for not having any signature OOC wins. It would be a shame for Delaney to graduate without a single NCAA appearance.

Don't forget that there are 3 extra spots in the tournament this year, so a team like Tech probably would have made the tournament if last year had been using this years format. And UNLV is a good team, no shame in that loss. Hokies need to bounce back and get ready for Purdue, it would be a HUGE win for them to get.

[O's are Legends]

UNLV is one of the best teams in the country; a lot of teams will be losing to them this year. The MWC will probably have more ranked teams than the ACC when the polls come out later today.

I watched the game last night and it was incredible to see Delaney come down the court and connect on 3’s at will. With that being said, Chase Stanback and the Running Rebels were just a bit too much for VA Tech yesterday. The poor free throw shooting didn’t help either.

[VThokies]

UNLV is one of the best teams in the country; a lot of teams will be losing to them this year. The MWC will probably have more ranked teams than the ACC when the polls come out later today.

I watched the game last night and it was incredible to see Delaney come down the court and connect on 3’s at will. With that being said' date=' Chase Stanback and the Running Rebels were just a bit too much for VA Tech yesterday. The poor free throw shooting didn’t help either.[/quote']

No doubt they are a great team. I wasn't trying to say that it was a bad loss, but was commenting on the way that we seem to be losing games. Once Allen is out of the game, we are simply way too easy to defend. No one attacks the basket, and with Delaney being the exception, no one can hit free throws.

Looking forward to the rest of the season, I just think expectations for VT this early in the season are still far too high.

[O's are Legends]

Malcolm Delaney is trying to match Jimmy Fredette. So far 4-4 from the land of the three; it seems as if no one on VA Tech is missing right now. Sorry Beaner.

[beaner]

Malcolm Delaney is trying to match Jimmy Fredette. So far 4-4 from the land of the three; it seems as if no one on VA Tech is missing right now. Sorry Beaner.

I'm clearly still being punished by the Basketball Gods for the 2009 Tar Heel title team.

Delaney can't keep this up in the second half, right?

[The Epic]

Ye of little faith!

[O's are Legends]

I'm clearly still being punished by the Basketball Gods for the 2009 Tar Heel title team.

Delaney can't keep this up in the second half, right?

He’s 0-4 since I posted.

[beaner]

Ye of little faith!

Nothin to it baby!!

LOVE Marshall running the point, good to see Barnes step up big time down the stretch.

[Sports Guy]

What horrible shot selection by Delaney on that final shot.