Originally Posted by
Olympic Fan
I understand that there is optimism up there -- I just don't think it is warranted. Not to the extent that Syracuse will be a top 3 ACC team.
That's not to say they will be bad, but the ACC is going to be extraordinary this season.
I know that the preseason top 25 from the Blue Ribbon Yearbook has six ACC teams in the top 25 -- and Syracuse is not one of them. ESPN does have Syracuse at No. 25 -- but they are just the fifth ACC team listed. CBS picks six ACC teams in their preseason top 25+one -- and Syracuse is not one of them. NBC Sports has six ACC teams in its top 25 -- and, again, Syracuse is not one of them.
I think it's pretty clearcut that Duke, Virginia, UNC and Louisville will be preseason top 10 or close to it. FSU and NC State (if Yurtseven clears the clearinghouse) are also generally ranked higher. I would make the case for Virginia Tech at No. 7 ... Syracuse is somewhere in the mix with Clemson, Pitt (like Syracuse, they have a strong frontcourt and questionable guards), Notre Dame and Miami.
I do think 12 teams start next season with reasonable hopes of making the NCAA Tournament. They won't all do it, of course, but any of them could. Only Wake, Georgia Tech and BC won't be NCAA contenders.