Gold: Preseason polls stink, but here is mine

By Adam Gold
Oct 18, 2012

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The coaches decided that the media was having too much fun predicting the upcoming conference standings every year, so they decided that they would chime in and set the record straight. I mean, who knows basketball more, the coaches or the overweight sports media who's really just in it for the free pre-game meal?

But wait, the coaches and the media essentially had identical ballots! If they know what they're talking about, then the media must as well. Well, maybe some of the media, anyway. As you might have expected, I have a few differences of opinion both in the predicted order of finish and the all-conference picks. So....

Here's my pre-season ACC predictions. Use as directed, please take with a grain of salt, some restrictions apply...

Pre-season standings...

1-Duke...I flipped a coin and it came up looking like a former Army Captain from Chicago.

2-N.C. State...I think they've got the best player in the league in PG Lorenzo Brown.

3-North Carolina...Yes, they've got a lot of new faces, but they've got a lot of really good players as well.

4-Miami...Barry Larkin was elected to the Hall of Fame. His son Shane is going to have a big year in Miami.

5-Maryland...I think they're over the sabotage of the previous regime.

6-Florida State...At some point, the Seminoles are going to lose Jimbo Fisher to a football school.

7-Virginia...This will be a tough team to play against if for no other reason than they could put you to sleep.

8-Clemson...This is the 7th straight season the Tigers will feature a Booker. What will they do next year?

9-Wake Forest...I'm not sure it matters as we delve this deep into the abyss, so don't hold me to any of these.

10-Virginia Tech...bet you can't name their head coach.

11-Georgia Tech...30 years ago Mark Price was a freshman. Seems like a 130 years ago these days.

12-Boston College...Wonder if Doug Flutie will play the drums during their home ACC games.

Pre-season all-conference teams (and unlike the league, I'll give you the full three-team treatment).

1st team

Lorenzo Brown, NC State; Calvin Leslie, NC State; Reggie Bullock, UNC; James Michael McAdoo, UNC: Michael Snaer, FSU

2nd team

Kenny Kadji, Miami; Ryan Kelly, Duke; Erick Green, VT, Seth Curry, Duke; Shane Larkin, Miami

3rd team

Mason Plumlee, Duke; Alex Len, Maryland; Reggie Johnson, Miami; Scott Wood, NC State; Joe Harris, UVA

Player of the Year: Lorenzo Brown, NC State

Rookie of the Year: Rasheed Sulaimon, Duke

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RE: Gold: Preseason polls stink, but here is mine

^ Yeah, injuries can make great teams good, good teams average, average teams bad, and bad teams Wake Forrest. That is where the transfers of Painter and Harris will really hurt State this year. Those two were probably going to see an average of 10-15 minutes per game this coming year even if we stayed healthy. Now if we lose anyone in the front court, we've got serious issues. Landing Jefferson would have helped as well, but you can't win every recruiting battle.

RE: Gold: Preseason polls stink, but here is mine

Here's my top 3.....

#1 - ACC's Daddy
#2 - NCSU
#3 - UNC

Devils going all the way! Hey Hokie, good luck to VT this season. :)
- Posted by BB5 the Boat Rocker

Heh, heh, love your "ACC's Daddy" for number 1. It's tough seeing Carolina listed as the third best, but both the coaches poll and the media poll seem to agree that the order is State, Duke, and Carolina. It should be an interesting year in the ACC. I hope the players stay healthy; injuries can decimate any team, good or bad.

RE: Gold: Preseason polls stink, but here is mine

Here's my top 3.....

#1 - ACC's Daddy
#2 - NCSU
#3 - UNC

Devils going all the way! Hey Hokie, good luck to VT this season. :)
- Posted by BB5 the Boat Rocker

Battling, we will need a bunch of luck this year I'm afraid.

RE: Gold: Preseason polls stink, but here is mine

I think FSU might be a 3 or 4. They have a great coach...
Othere than that, yes all that matters is the last poll.

Get on the State Train!!

RE: Gold: Preseason polls stink, but here is mine

Duke number one, but not one player on the first team all ACC...... You might want to rethink your choices. I guess if you don't pick Duke you'll never get another interview with Chris Collins on your pathetic radio show......

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Adam Gold