Very Early 2007-08 ACC Glance, Part One

Since the NCAA Tournament changed its rules (after the 1979 event) to allow an unlimited number of bids per conference, the ACC has never gone back-to-back seasons without a Final Four team — until now.

With that in mind, and as top programs from the Big East (Georgetown), Big Ten (Ohio State), Pac-10 (UCLA) and SEC (Florida) enjoy the Final Four spotlight in Atlanta this weekend, let's take a just-for-fun, very early look ahead to ACC basketball in the 2007-08 season.

1. North Carolina

Projected Starters: sophomore point guard Ty Lawson*, sophomore wing guard Wayne Ellington*, junior wing forward Marcus Ginyard, sophomore power forward Deon Thompson, junior center Tyler Hansbrough*.

Off The Bench: junior wing forward Danny Green, junior point guard Bobby Frasor, sophomore center Alex Stepheson, senior point guard Quentin Thomas, redshirt freshman wing forward William Graves, junior power forward Mike Copeland.

Known Departures: wing forward Reyshawn Terry (senior), wing guard Wes Miller (senior), perhaps freshman power forward Brandan Wright (expected early NBA entry).

Comment: This projection assumes that Wright, who stated in high school that he "probably" would have gone straight to the NBA if that league's recent rules change didn't prevent such a move, will enter this year's draft. Lawson, Ellington and Hansbrough are expected to return to UNC next season, but obviously any surprises will impact the team, and an early exit by Lawson or Hansbrough would have huge repercussions. If Wright is the only underclassman who leaves this summer, the Tar Heels will be the ACC favorite and a preseason top-five pick nationally in 2007-08.

2. Georgia Tech

Projected Starters: sophomore point guard Javaris Crittenton*^, senior wing guard Anthony Morrow, sophomore wing forward Thaddeus Young*^, senior power forward Jeremis Smith*, senior center Ra’Sean Dickey*.

Off The Bench: freshman power forward Gani Lawal, junior wing guard Lewis Clinch (may return from academic suspension), sophomore power forward Zach Peacock, junior power forward Alade Aminu, freshman point guard Maurice Miller, sophomore wing forward Mouhammad Faye, senior point guard Matt Causey (Georgetown/North Georgia transfer), junior wing forward D'Andre Bell, freshman wing guard Lance Storrs, redshirt freshman center Brad Sheehan.

Known Departures: wing guard Mario West (senior).

Comment: Pending the decisions of Crittenton and Young, Tech could have one of the best combinations of talent and experience in the nation next season, with three seniors and two seasoned sophomores in the projected starting lineup. There is plenty of talent on the bench, too. The Yellow Jackets' biggest challenge is to get tougher, mentally and physically, and to become a better defensive team.

3. Duke

Projected Starters: junior point guard Greg Paulus*, sophomore wing guard Jon Scheyer*, sophomore wing forward Gerald Henderson, senior wing forward DeMarcus Nelson*, freshman power forward Kyle Singler.

Off The Bench: freshman combo guard Nolan Smith, sophomore power forward Lance Thomas*, junior power forward David McClure, junior wing guard Marty Pocius, freshman wing forward Taylor King, sophomore center Brian Zoubek.

Known Departures: sophomore power forward Josh McRoberts (early NBA entry).

Comment: Those predicting the long-term demise of the Blue Devils are forgetting that there will be plenty of talent on hand in Durham again next season. Prep All-Americans Singler and Smith figure to play huge roles as rookies, and Duke remains one of the frontrunners for top-10 West Virginia power forward Patrick Patterson, the top uncommitted player in the high school senior class. It may be an unconventional lineup in 2007-08, with lots of productive perimeter players but very little presence in the post, but the Devils' overall talent level clearly remains among the best in the conference.

4. N.C. State

Projected Starters: sophomore point guard Farnold Degand, senior wing guard Gavin Grant*, sophomore wing forward Brandon Costner*, junior power forward Ben McCauley*, freshman center J.J. Hickson.

Off The Bench: junior wing guard Courtney Fells*, sophomore wing forward Dennis Horner, freshman power forward Tracy Smith, freshman point guard Javi Gonzalez, sophomore combo guard Marques Johnson (will become eligible in December), freshman wing forward Johnny Thomas, sophomore wing guard Trevor Ferguson, redshirt freshman center Bartosz Lewandowski.

Known Departures: point guard Engin Atsur (senior), wing forward Bryan Nieman (senior).

Comment: If Atsur had another year, this team would have had an incredibly high ceiling. As it is, the key factor moving forward for the Wolfpack will be the development of a reliable point guard or two from among Degand, Gonzalez and Johnson. (Any of the three could end up as the starter.) Considering the talent — and, for a change, some quality depth — available at other positions, State will compete for the ACC title if that one, huge question can be answered in a satisfactory manner.

* — started at least half of his team's games in 2006-07

^ — still considering early entry into 2007 NBA draft