First look at the ACC in 2009-10

Staff photo by Chuck Liddy

Underclassmen have until June 15 to make a decision about the NBA draft. We'll have our popular "Summer Hoops Preview" on ACC Now in July.

To satiate your hoops appetite (since only UNC and Duke are still alive) until then, a look at the possible lineups (and impossibly early predicted order of finish) for all 12 ACC teams in 2009-10.

Logic is applied to potential early entry candidates (Note: "logic" as in my best guess).

Going: Ty Lawson, UNC; Gerald Henderson, Duke; Greivis Vasquez, Maryland; Jeff Teague, Wake Forest; James Johnson, Wake Forest; Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest.

Staying: Wayne Ellington, UNC; Ed Davis, UNC; Solomon Alabi, FSU; Trevor Booker, Clemson; Kyle Singler, Duke; Gani Lawal, Georgia Tech; Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech.

In alphabetical projected order of finish (subject to change): 

1. Duke

1. Jon Scheyer, 6-5, sr.
2. Elliot Williams, 6-4, so.
3. Kyle Singler, 6-8, so.
4. Lance Thomas, 6-8, sr.
5. Ryan Kelly, 6-10, fr.

Pre-summer thought: The Devils would be the heavy ACC favorite and a Final Four team if Gerald Henderson decides to come back. They could still win the regular-season or repeat as champions without him because the core of players will have experience playing together (as opposed to all of UNC's new parts).

Mason Plumlee (6-11, fr.) and Brian Zoubek (7-0, sr.) give Duke frontcourt depth for the first time since Cherokee Parks was a sub.

Singler would really shine in his natural position. He would be my pick for ACC Player of the Year, especially in Henderson's spot in the offense.

2. UNC

1. Larry Drew II, 6-1, so.
2. Wayne Ellington, 6-4, sr.
3. Marcus Ginyard, 6-5, sr.
4. Deon Thompson, 6-8, sr.
5. Ed Davis, 6-10, so.

Pre-summer thought: Sub Dexter Strickland (6-3, fr.) for Ellington if he goes pro. Sub John Henson (6-10, fr.) for Davis if he exits. That's a McDonald's All-American for a McDonald's All-American in both spots. How many programs can pull that off?

Ginyard slides nicely into the "David Noel '06" role. Whatever configuration it ends up being, the Heels should finish no worse than third and could easily win it.

3. Clemson

1. Demontez Stitt, 6-2, jr.
2. Terrence Oglesby, 6-2, jr.
3. Tanner Smith, 6-5, so.
4. Trevor Booker, 6-7, jr.
5. Jerai Grant, 6-8, jr.

Pre-summer thought: The Tigers will be strong up front,  with Booker's brother, Devin (6-7, fr.) and McDonald's All-American Milton Jennings (6-9, fr.) joining the mix. With just a little improvement from Stitt, the Tigers should be safely in the mix for a third straight NCAA appearance.

4. Boston College

1. Reggie Jackson, 6-3, so.
2. Rakim Sanders, 6-5, jr.
3. Corey Raji, 6-6, jr.
4. Joe Trapani, 6-8, jr.
5. Josh Southern, 6-10, jr.

Pre-summer thought: Four starters back with Jackson plugging into Tyrese Rice's spot at the point. Obviously, the Eagles will miss Rice but there's no reason to think a return to the NCAA Tournament is out of the question.

Al Skinner, with a veteran lineup, gets the nod over a more talented GT team but less capable coach.

5. Georgia Tech

1. Moe Miller, 6-2, jr.
2. Iman Shumpert, 6-5, so.
3. D'Andre Bell, 6-6, sr.
4. Gani Lawal, 6-9, so.
5. Derrick Favors, 6-9, fr.

Pre-summer thought: It's do-or-die time for coach Paul Hewitt, who somehow managed to go 2-14 in '09.

He's got a talented lineup — assuming Lawal and/or Shumpert return — to make some hay. Zach Peacock (6-8, sr.) and Kammeon Holsey (6-8, fr.) give the Jackets options up front and Mfon Udofia (6-1, fr.) could push Miller at the point.

Gary Williams would win the ACC title with a combination of Shumpert, Lawal and Favors.

6. Florida State

1. Derwin Kitchen, 6-4, jr.
2. Michael Snaer, 6-4, fr.
3. Chris Singleton, 6-9, so.
4. Xavier Gibson, 6-11, so.
5. Solomon Alabi, 7-1, so.

Pre-summer thought: Snaer, a McDonald's All-American, has some big shoes to fill, taking Toney Douglas' spot in the lineup, but Kitchen slides to the point and is ready for a breakout season.

With Alabi, the Noles would push for a top-four spot. If Alabi leaves, they're more likely to fall back to the 6-10, 7-9 or 8-8 range after winning 10 games in '09.

7. Maryland

1. Eric Hayes, 6-4, sr.
2. Adrian Bowie, 6-2, jr.
3. Landon Milbourne, 6-7, sr.
4. Dino Gregory, 6-7, jr.
5. Jordan Williams, 6-8, fr.

Pre-summer thought: This team will look dramatically different if Greivis Vasquez returns (he said he will go through the NBA evaluation process) and Gary Williams lands Brooklyn phenom Lance Stephenson (6-5, scoring wing).

Without those two, Gary keeps his work boots on and tries to pull another seven or eight ACC wins out of a hat. Williams' coaching ability puts them here over the other options.

8. Virginia Tech

1. Hank Thorns, 5-9, jr.
2. Malcolm Delaney, 6-3, jr.
3. J.T. Thompson, 6-6, jr.
4. Victor Davila, 6-8, so.
5. Jeff Allen, 6-7, jr.

Pre-summer thought: Deron Washington was missed more than expected this season. Anyone can see that A.D. Vassallo will be missed from next season's lineup. Delaney and Allen are good enough to win at least seven games, though.

If Seth Greenberg would learn how to coach in November, this team could contend for an NCAA spot.

9. N.C. State

1. Javi Gonzalez, 5-11, jr.
2. Lorenzo Brown, 6-4, fr.
3. C.J. Williams, 6-5, so.
4. Richard Howell, 6-7, fr.
5. Tracy Smith, 6-8, jr.

Pre-summer thought: Year 4 for Sidney Lowe and, for better or worse, it's his roster, no more holdovers. Brown and Howell better be his Johnny Dawkins and Mark Alarie (the recruiting class that saved Coach K) or the forecast doesn't look promising for a Year 5.

Julius Mays (6-2, so.) could start for Gonzo and Dennis Horner (6-8, sr.) could start for Williams.

Overall, a team that will be reliant on Smith's post scoring (like it was with J.J. Hickson in '08) and the shooters that develop around him. 

10. Virginia

1. Calvin Baker, 6-2, sr.
2. Jeff Jones, 6-4, jr.
3. Sylven Landesberg, 6-6, so.
4. Mike Scott, 6-8, jr.
5. Assane Sene, 7-0, so.

Pre-summer thought: With the right coach (Jeff Capel, Rick Barnes or Tubby Smith) this group could overachieve. Heck, with a computer regulating the starting lineup, the Hoos could win eight games just by the fact that they would know their respective roles.

Landesberg and Scott are a good foundation. They need more help, though, and definitely more direction than offered by former coach Dave Leitao.

11. Wake Forest

1. Ish Smith, 6-0, sr.
2. L.D. Williams, 6-4, sr.
3. Ari Stewart, 6-7, fr.
4. Tony Woods, 6-11, so.
5. Chas McFarland, 7-0, sr.

Pre-summer thought: If all or any of the combination of Jeff Teague, James Johnson and Al-Farouq Aminu return, it's a different story but the Deacs are likely in for a big change in 2010.

The above lineup would be an improvement defensively but there's not enough offense — or structure on offense — to repeat a second-place finish or get back to the NCAA Tournament.

12. Miami

1. Malcolm Grant, 6-1, so.
2. James Dews, 6-4, sr.
3. DeQuan Jones, 6-6, so.
4. Cyrus McGowan, 6-9, sr.
5. Dwayne Collins, 6-8, sr.

Pre-summer thought: Of all the lineups, this is the biggest toss-up. You never know with coach Frank Haith. Jones was supposed to be a stud but never got into the rotation in '09.

Grant, a transfer from Villanova, and freshman Antoine Allen are the only options at point, although maybe Haith will try Dews and Durand Scott (6-4, fr.) together. Who knows?

One thing is for sure, FSU is better equipped to handle Douglas' departure than Miami is Jack McClinton's.