ACC preview (Part Seven)

By Ross Lancaster Sports Central Columnist

In the process of sending two teams to the Final Four, the ACC re-solidified its reputation, which it had lost, of being far and away the best conference in Division I college basketball. Three possible top ten teams come from this conference.

ACC Projected Standings

1. Duke 2. Maryland 3. Virginia 4. North Carolina 5. Wake Forest 6. N.C. State 7. Georgia Tech 8. Florida State 9. Clemson

ACC All-First Team G Jason Williams, Duke G Juan Dixon, Maryland C Lonny Baxter, Maryland F Carlos Boozer, Duke F Travis Watson, Virginia

Coach of the Year: Pete Gillen, Virginia Player of the Year: Jason Williams, Duke

Duke, the defending national champions, probably has an even better team than last season's team. Although Player of the Year Shane Battier is gone, probable Player of the Year and shoe-in First-Team All-American Jason Williams returns to Durham as the best team in the ACC. Other crucial parts to the Dukies include Chris Duhon, Carlos Boozer, and Mike Dunleavy.

Maryland, the other ACC probable entry in the Final Four, has basically one hump to climb before winning it all. However, that hump was one that they lost to three times last year, and lies in front of them in their own conference -- Duke. Seniors Lonny Baxter and Juan Dixon lead the Terps into battle this season. While this team lost to Arizona on Thursday night, they should be resilient and earn some quality victories in non-conference play.

Virginia is the third best team in the ACC. While that doesn't sound appealing at all, third best in this conference means a likely top ten finish. Two of the best players you've never heard of, Travis Watson and Roger Mason, both forwards and juniors, are the focal point of the Cavaliers.

It's a down year in Chapel Hill. Fortunately for them, a down year for North Carolina means Top 25 and a likely high seed in the NCAA Tournament. Senior Jason Capel returns from a team that lost All-American shooting guard Joe Forte to the Boston Celtics of the NBA.

Just as they were a year ago, the Deamon Deacons of Wake Forest are a probable bubble team to the NCAA Tournament. If the Deacs are to go dancing in March, then it will have to be without long-time coach Dave Odom and All-Conference guard Robert O'Kelley.

That other Tobacco Road team, N.C. State, looks to be on the outside looking in when it comes to the NCAA Tournament, but a recruiting class that ranks with the likes of Duke, Memphis, Syracuse, and Michigan State should make this a team to look out for with an upset or two in conference play.

NCAA Tournament teams: Duke, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Wake Forest

The next part in this series, also the final one, will be available in the next week and will sum up the national picture, who will be dancing, and the first edition of my Top 25.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.