Toyminator's 2000-2001 ACC Conference Preview

The past few seasons have not been kind to the ACC. Sure they've had a few Final Four teams, but the number of teams making the NCAA Tournament has dwindled to just a handful these past two seasons. In addition, many programs have languished in mediocrity, resulting in less competition for the few quality teams in the league. Well, that should all change this season, as a host of talented teams will help the ACC regain its claim as the nation's top conference. Anything less than 6 teams in the Tournament would be disappointing.

Let's start at the top, where 3 teams will fight for the conference crown...Maryland, Duke & North Carolina. All three of them should be among the nation's Top 10 teams for most of the season. Duke will be the consensus pick to win it, thanks in part to their very talented starting five. North Carolina should be able to build on last season's late run to the Final Four, but will depend on a freshman to handle the PG duties after four steady years of Ed Cota. Maryland showed many last season (including myself) that they're still a power to be reckon with, and should be even better this season. In fact, they may be the conference's bast team by season's end. The middle of the conference will be a dog-fight between Wake Forest, Virginia & NC State. All three could easily wind up in the NCAA Tournament, but just a minor slip could cause one to fall just short. Virginia will keep folks entertained with it's up-tempo offense, but will that be enough to stay ahead of solid defensive teams like Wake & NC State? It should be interesting! The rest (Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida St.) will try to stay out of the basement and maintain respect by keeping it tight against the big boys, but honestly, there's not much hope for post-season action this season. Then again, maybe Will Solomon will make we eat my words!

ON THE RISE: Maryland
Yeah, I totally missed the boat last season when I predicted the Terps to finish in seventh place! I guess I underestimated their young talent! Anyhow, after watching them last season, I realize my mistake and believe this team will make even bigger strides this season. Everyone's back, plus two big-time newcomers arrive...Chris Wilcox & Byron Mouton. If the talented Mouton learns how to play defense, he could give them a starting five on par with Duke's, but with a much deeper bench. It could be a banner year in College Park!

IN DECLINE: Florida St.
Coach Robinson is a great guy and a talented coach, but he's been a step behind everyone else when it comes to attracting talent to Tallahassee. His best players, Ron Hale & Damous Anderson, are gone. There's still a few quality players around, but definitely not enough to compete in a powerful conference like the ACC. With Billy Donovan loading up the Gators, and Miami ever-improving, there might not be enough talent to go around for the Noles to move up the conference. Unfortunately, it may cost him his job soon.

1. MARYLAND

Strengths: Aggressive team defense. Good, balanced offense. Good rebounding team. Very experienced & deep.
Weakness: Lose focus on occasion, resulting in too many turnovers.
Outlook: Duke will be everyone's choice, but I'm going with the Terps. They have just as much talent, but are bigger & deeper than the Blue Devils. Plus, they've owned UNC lately, so they're not a concern. If they can get a high seed, they should be Final Four bound!

2. DUKE

Strengths: Explosive offense, excellent defense. Good shooting team. Team quickness. Good ball-handling. Limit their turnovers.
Weakness: Questionable rebounding team. Lack of depth.
Outlook: Once again, the Dukies will be one of the most talented teams in the nation and will win many games. They'll probably even make the Final Four. However, will their lack of depth hurt them in the Tournament again? Can 6 players win it all? We'll see!

3. NORTH CAROLINA

Strengths: Good shooting team. Excellent frontcourt. Forte's ability to score. Very experienced team.
Weakness: Inexperienced PG. Passive defense - doesn't force many turnovers.
Outlook: Solid team who should have an excellent season. But, 2 things will keep them from reaching the top...their big, but SLOW frontcout, and new coach Matt Doherty. Trust me, Coach Doherty will be a great one, but he's going to have to learn along the way!

4. VIRGINIA

Strengths: Quick, athletic team who can put points on the board. Good 3-pt shooting team.
Weakness: Poor rebounding team. Defense allows too many easy baskets. Too many turnovers.
Outlook: Came up just short of the NCAA Tournament last season, but should make it this time. With more experience and new found confidence, this team is too talented not to make it. If big-man Jason Rogers develops, they could go even further!

5. WAKE FOREST

Strengths: Deep & experienced team. Plays good team defense. Solid rebounding team.
Weakness: Limited offensively. Poor 3-pt & FT shooting team.
Outlook: After a disappointing season, the Deacs finally got it together and won the NIT Tournament. That should carry over to this season, as they return to the Big Dance and possibly the Top 25.

6. NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Strengths: Good team defense. Wilkins' star potential. Very experienced. Tough at home.
Weakness: Questionable ball-handling & distribution. Poor FT shooting team. Few wins on the road.
Outlook: Every year we hear how tough the Wolfpack will be, but they always manage to stay in the middle of the pack! Talent keeps arriving, but Coach Sendak has yet to get them to the NCAA Tournament. Will this finally be the year? Tough call.

7. CLEMSON

Strengths: Big, strong frontline, who can rebound very well. Good team defense.
Weakness: Poor ball-handling & distribution - too many turnovers. Lousy shooting team. Frontcourt depth.
Outlook: The loss of PF Chuck Gilmore to injury hurt the Tigers chances for the NIT, but it may better prepare them for next season.

8. GEORGIA TECH

Strengths: Excellent rebounding team. Good interior defense.
Weakness: Poor shooting team. Little inside scoring. Sloppy ball-handling. Once again, little depth.
Outlook: Coach Cremins was a decent coach who simply lost his recruiting touch, and thus was let go. New coach Paul Hewitt should eventually energize the program, but it won't be for quite some time. Little talent left here to do any damage.

9. FLORIDA STATE

Strengths: Solid backcourt. Decent team defense.
Weakness: Who's going to score? Poor rebounding team. Poor ball-handling. Little depth.
Outlook: The talent is simply not there to compete in this league. Unless a miracle happens, changes will be coming soon!

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Last updated on 10/2/00 by toyminator@prodigy.net