North Carolina State's basketball program was expected to turn around when the school hired Mark Gottfried 13 months ago.
But it's doubtful anyone thought the former Alabama player and coach would have the Wolfpack picked to win the ACC in his second season at the helm. Yet, that's exactly where the Pack will sit when the media makes it predictions next October. N.C. State, not Duke, North Carolina or even Florida State, will be the favorite to take the nation's historically premier conference next winter.
Now that the NBA deadline for early entry into the draft has passed, and hopefully nobody else will transfer, here is an early look at how the ACC should shape up next season.
N.C. STATE
The Wolfpack ascended to clear favorite status when C.J. Leslie announced he was returning for his junior season. At 6-foot-9 and freakishly athletic, Leslie will challenge for ACC Player of the Year status. Teaming with junior point guard Lorenzo Brown, senior sharpshooter Scott Wood, senior banger Richard Howell, and one of the nation's top recruiting classes, which comprises one or two possible one-and-done talents, NCSU could develop into one of the top teams in the nation.
NORTH CAROLINA
The Tar Heels are going to be darn good. The Tar Heels lost a ton from this past season, but they are still loaded, though with players that must prove themselves. A rerun of 2010 won't happen. This team is more proven and more athletic. Carolina could be amazingly fast and this could be UNC's best perimeter shooting team of the 3-point shot era. Reggie Bullock could break out for a special year, Dexter Strickland returns, and Roy Williams will welcome back Leslie McDonald's stroke with open arms. James Michael McAdoo might be next year's top pick in the NBA draft.
DUKE
The Blue Devils will be right there again, though they won't look a whole lot different than this past season. Mason Plumlee returns inside and Ryan Kelly will continue doing his thing. The key for the Blue Devils is for Seth Curry, Tyler Thornton and Quinn Cook to significantly raise their games and play with more consistency. Three newcomers, two of whom redshirted, should help. Andre Dawkins remains a question mark and may not play next season. But the Devils are still the Devils, and they will compete for the league's top spot.
MIAMI
The Hurricanes return their important players aside from Malcolm Grant and should be a really fine team. If Reggie Johnson commits himself all offseason, the Hurricanes could be a national surprise. They are deep, have some very nice bigs, and the guards could really explode. They are athletic and will better understand Jim Larranaga's approach in his second season at the helm.
FLORIDA STATE
The Seminoles may drop off some, but they will still play great defense, crash the boards and maybe with a thinner lineup could develop greater cohesiveness on offense, which would mean a more consistent offense. Michael Snaer could have a huge season on the wing, Okaro White has terrific potential down low, and Ian Miller will finally run the show full time. He could be the ACC's most notable breakout player.
MARYLAND
Moving Maryland up couple of notches is tempting, even with Terrell Stoglin bolting for the NBA at the last second Sunday. The Terrapins have the right man leading the way in Mark Turgeon, and while it would have been great to have a team-minded Stoglin back, but if Nick Faust and Alex Lin explode in their sophomore seasons, the Terrapins could land on the radar. They have some bangers and point guard Pe'Shon Howard should be healthy. A nice freshman class will help, as well.
VIRGINIA
The Cavaliers may find themselves on the NCAA bubble if they can find some scoring from interior players. Their perimeter with Jontel Evans, Malcolm Brogdon and Joe Harris is in excellent shape, but they might also be easy to defend if Tony Bennett's team can't consistently get points in the paint.
VIRGINIA TECH
It remains to be seen whether Virginia Tech upgraded itself by replacing Seth Greenberg with former assistant coach James Johnson. Johnson does have a nice tandem in Erik Green and Dorian Finney-Smith on hand. The Hokies are too talented to avoid the basement, but maybe a bit thin to get into the big dance.
CLEMSON
The Tigers will be solid up front with Devin Booker and Milton Jennings, especially if Jennings can play with consistency. But the Tigers lost four seniors, including their backcourt, and none of the six rising sophomores really distinguished themselves as freshmen this past season. Brad Brownell is an excellent coach, but this club is going to struggle. It needs players.
GEORGIA TECH
The Yellow Jackets finally get to play true home games, as its rebuilt on-campus arena opens in the fall. Brian Gregory has some athletes and is recruiting pretty well. It's probably a matter of time before the Yellow Jackets begin to show their sting, but they should be improved and morale should be better, as well.
WAKE FOREST
The Demon Deacons have finished in last place in both of Jeff Bzdelik's seasons at the helm. You'd think a third would spell the end for him. And it could happen. He has some solid freshmen coming in, but a lot of experience transferred out, notably the starting point guard and the program's best traditional big man. C.J. Harris can play for anyone and usually so can Travis McKie, but that's it.
BOSTON COLLEGE
The Eagles lost a couple of transfers, but still might improve and avoid the cellar. The thing is, BC is still not that talented, is very young, and only one player really distinguished himself this past season. BC's in for another long winter.
