Taking a team-by-team looking at the Tigers' competition this season...

Boston College Eagles

2010-11 Record: 21-13, 9-7 ACC)

Preseason ACC Rank: 12th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at BC, Jan. 12 at 7 ET.

Last Season: The Tigers’ 77-69 win in Littlejohn was never really in doubt, nor the 70-47 win over the Eagles at Greensboro Coliseum at the ACC Tournament.

Returning Starters: Zero

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Gabe Moton (6-1 170, 2.5 PPG/1 APG), Matt Humphrey (Transfer, 6-5 187, 5.4 PPG/2.5 RPG at Oregon in 2009-10 season), Danny Rubin (6-5 180, 4.1 PPG/43.4 3PT Pct).

Frontcourt: Ryan Anderson (Freshman, 6-8 229), Dennis Clifford (Freshman, 7-0 238).

Key bench players: Guards – Patrick Heckmann, Lonnie Jackson, Deirunas Vosockas, Jordan Daniels; Forwards – Kyle Caudill.

Preseason Quotable: BC coach Steve Donahue on freshman-filled team – “Lot of new faces – one scholarship player returning. I’m excited about it – it’s an opportunity to employ everything you believe in. It’s unique after one year…the obvious question is how can you compete at this level so quickly into their college careers? If it was 10-15 years ago with more juniors and seniors – more first-round picks in this league, but for the most part, everybody’s younger in college basketball, we just happen to be younger than everybody else.”

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Who are these guys? (No, really) There aren’t ACC b-ball prospectuses with more “newcomers” than returning contributors and starters lost combined, but that’s what second-year coach Steve Donahue faces with his BC team. The Eagles return just sophomores Danny Rubin (4.1 PPG) and Gabe Moton (2.5) with three double-digit scorers gone. It’s a team with three upperclassmen, including an Oregon transfer in guard Matt Humphrey who’s going to be counted on for some scoring this season. I’m not going to pretend to know what exactly these freshman, ranging from California to Germany, will do this season, but it’ll be fun to watch.

Duke Blue Devils

2010-11 Record: 32-5, 13-3 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 2nd

Schedule

Plays Clemson: in Clemson, 6 ET on Sunday, Jan. 15.

Last Season: Clemson gave Duke a run on Senior Night for Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler, but the Blue Devils pulled away to a 70-59 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Returning Starters: Three

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Austin Rivers (6-4 200, freshman), Seth Curry (6-2 180, 8.1 PPG/2 APG), Andre Dawkins (6-4 200, 8.1 PPG/0.6 APG

Frontcourt: Ryan Kelly (6-11 230, 6.6 PPG/0.8 APG), Mason Plumlee (6-10, 235, 7.2 PPG/1.6 APG)

Key bench players: Forwards - Miles Plumlee, Josh Hairston, Marshall Plumlee; Guards – Tyler Thornton, Quinn Cook

Preseason Quotable: Duke coach Mike Kryzewski on freshman guard Austin Rivers – “Austin is a natural scorer. The China trip helped him identify areas he needed improvement in. No matter what, he can score the ball. He has a great willingness to learn. He’s our best breakdown guy.”

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Is Duke flying under the radar? Well, as much as they can – the Blue Devils come in losing their top three scorers in Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler and Kyrie Irving. For really the first time sans Singler, the pressure is on the brothers Plumlee (at least the upperclassmen Mason and Miles) to be forces in the paint. All eyes are on freshman guard Austin Rivers, who got a dose of the spotlight with Duke’s international trip televised on ESPN this summer. It’s also a big year for Seth Curry, who adjusted into his role slowly last season and is expected to be a top scorer for a successful 2011 season.

Florida State Seminoles

2010-11 Record: 23-11, 11-5 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 3rd

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at Littlejohn on Jan. 7 at 4 ET; at FSU on March 4 at 12 ET

Last Season: Lost a mid-December contest in Tallahassee 75-69, and shut down the Seminoles 62-44 in Clemson in late January.

Returning Starters: Three

Projected Starting Five (eight/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Michael Snaer (6-5 205, 8.8 PPG/2.2 APG), Jeff Peterson (Transfer, 6-2 192, 6.3/2.4 APG at Arkansas last season), Deividas Dulkys (6-5 195, 7.3 PPG/.333 3PT Pct)

Frontcourt: Okaro White (6-8, 195, 6.6 PPG/3.1 RPG), Bernard James (6-10 240, 7.2 PPG/1.6 APG

Key bench players: Guards – Ian Miller, Luke Loucks; Forwards – Terrance Shannon, Xavier Gibson, Jon Kreft

Preseason Quotable: FSU coach Leonard Hamilton – “We want to continue to play that junkyard defense we play, but on the offensive end, the little things - the turnovers, the free throws – more than anything, having the right mentality that gives the attention to detail…We’re not going to allow ourselves to come up short from lack of effort on our part – the pain from failure that we experienced last year. They do realize we could’ve gone farther if we were more mentally prepared.”

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We know FSU can play defense, but they lose their two top scorers from 2010 in guard Derwin Kitchen and Chris Singleton off a Sweet 16 team that finished 8th in the ACC in scoring offense. Junior guard Michael Snaer will be looked to for some of those points, and Arkansas transfer Jeff Peterson should see his fair share of playing time at guard as well. In the paint, FSU has as intimidating a frontcourt as there is in the conference defensively, but it will be on guys like Bernard James and Okaro White to improve their offensive games for the ‘Noles to take that next step.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

2010-11 Record: 13-18, 5-11 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 10th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at Littlejohn on Jan. 21 at 2:30 ET; at Georgia Tech on Feb. 21 at 7 ET

Last Season: Clemson swept the Yellow Jackets, drilling them 87-62 in TigerTown and pulling away late to a 65-56 win in Atlanta.

Returning Starters: Two

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Mfon Udofia (6-2 193, 6.7 PPG/2.5 APG), Glen Rice Jr. (6-5 206, 12.8 PPG/5.6 RPG), Jason Morris (6-5 210, 6 PPG/2.2 RPG)

Frontcourt: Julian Royal (Freshman, 6-7 230)/Kammeon Holsey (6-8 226, 3.4 PPG/2.7 RPG), Daniel Miller (6-11 258, 4.4 PPG/5.0 RPG).

Key bench players: Guards – Brandon Reed; Forwards – Nate Hicks

Preseason Quotable: GT coach Brian Gregory on rebuilding the Yellow Jackets – “Seven short seasons ago, we’re playing in the National Championship game. We talked about some players leaving early – we have a tremendous product to sell…Two Final Fours in the last 20 years – only 16 teams in the entire country that have done that. We’ve had great players…there’s pieces in place. We’ve got to get it back on track. We need to do that by recruiting high-caliber and high-character kids – we play in the best basketball league and live in a city that’s vibrant and diverse.”

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New coach Brian Gregory comes from Dayton trying to turn around one of the ACC’s worst scoring teams (10th in scoring offense, 12th in FG pct., 12th in 3PT pct.). Georgia Tech will feature another guard-oriented offense even with the loss of leading-scorers Iman Shumpert and Maurice Miller. They’ll need a big season from juniors Mfon Udofia and Glen Rice Jr., along with some development from sophomore guard Jason Morris and center Daniel Miller. After a 10th-place finish and early ACC Tourney exit last season, expectations are low in Atlanta – Gregory has some time to turn things around this season.

Maryland Terrapins

2010-11 Record: 19-14, 7-9 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 9th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at Littlejohn Coliseum, Feb. 7 at 7 ET

Last Season: Maryland withstood a Clemson comeback, which fell short on a midcourt shot by Demontez Stitt hitting the backboard in a 79-77 loss at College Park.

Returning Starters: Two

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Terrell Stoglin (6-1 185, 11.4 PPG/3.3 APG), Sean Mosley (6-4 210, 8.1 PPG/3.8 RPG), Nick Faust (6-6 176, freshman)

Frontcourt: James Padgett (6-8 225, 3.3 PPG/1.9 RPG), Berend Weijs (6-10 200, 1.8 PPG/2.1 RPG)

Key bench players: Guards: Pe’Shon Howard (expected starter out three months with foot injury); Forwards – Forward Mychal Parker, Ashton Pankey, Olexiy Len (suspended for first 10 games).

Preseason Quotable: Maryland coach Mark Turgeon on implementing his system – “I’m just doing what I do…We’re going to try to defend and rebound and play with toughness – man-to-man defense. Right now, I’m trying to get the guys to pass the ball a few times on offense. We’ll figure out the best system offensively for them. I inherited great character kids…I’m trying to be really patient. Spacing is important, and getting the ball to the best players when the game is on the line. It’s new to them, and new to some of my assistants. We have to build some confidence.”

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New Terps coach Mark Turgeon faces an uphill battle in year one with double-double machine Jordan Williams and several other members of the frontcourt gone. Plans for a four-guard rotation took a hit with sophomore guard Pe’Shon Howard injured his foot – expected to be out for three months. Senior guard Sean Mosley and sophomore Terrell Stoglin will serve as the primary scorers with some early pressure on highly-touted freshman guard Nick Faust to come in and make an instant impact. The frontcourt is the main issue as only junior James Padgett returns with any significant playing time, and wasn’t exactly relied upon for scoring last season. Maryland is going up-and-down with their mix of youth and experience at guard in 2011.

Miami Hurricanes

2010-11 Record: 21-15, 6-10 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 5th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at Miami, Jan. 18 at 7 ET

Last Season: Clemson swept the Hurricanes, winning their home opener 79-72 and pulling off a 63-59 win in Coral Gables in late February.

Returning Starters: Four*

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Malcolm Grant (6-5 186, 9.2 PPG, 3.7 APG), Durand Scott (6-5 218, 4.7 PPG/1.1 APG), Garrius Adams (6-6 177, 9.7 PPG/1.4 APG)

Frontcourt: DeQuan Jones (6-8 206, 11 PPG/7.2 RPG), Kenny Kadji (Transfer, 6-11 251, 0.9 PPG/0.7 RPG at Florida in 2009-10)

Key bench players: Forwards – Reggie Johnson, Erik Swoope; Guards – Bishop Daniels, Shane Larkin, Rion Brown.

*Forward Reggie Johnson out until ACC season at the earliest.

Preseason Quotable: Miami coach Jim Larranaga on being back in the ACC – “I’ve been a big fan of the ACC since I was a little boy…When I left the ACC in 1986, I said to myself, 'I want to get back to coach and run my own program in the ACC one day' – I didn’t know it would take 25 years…In the ACC, every game is challenge – every night you have to bring you’re A-game. It doesn’t matter whether you’re at home against Duke or on the road at Carolina. Whether you’re playing Maryland, Boston College, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida State or Clemson – they’re all great basketball programs – headed by great leaders.”

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Miami took two big hits in the offseason with knee injuries for starting forwards Reggie Johnson and Julian Gamble. Gamble looks to be done for the year, while one of the ACC’s best centers in Johnson could be back to start conference play. The guards have what it takes to keep the Hurricanes going with senior Malcolm Grant and junior Durand Scott as Miami’s only other double-digit scorers back besides Johnson. Miami had the coup of the offseason coaching moves by George Mason’s Jim Larranaga taking his talents to South Beach. Larranaga led the Patriots to the NCAA Tourney five times and the Final Four in 2005-06.

North Carolina Tar Heels

2010-11 Record: 29-8, 14-2 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 1st

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at UNC, 4 ET on Sat., February 18.

Last Season: The Tar Heels swept Clemson – 75-65 in Chapel Hill, and 64-62 in TigerTown. Clemson held a 51-50 lead with 5:30 to go in Littlejohn, but went on a nearly a minute scoring drought before a late charge that fell short.

Returning Starters: Five

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Kendall Marshall (6-3 186, 6.2 PPG/6.2 APG), Dexter Strickland (6-3 180, 7.5 PPG/2.2 APG)

Frontcourt: Harrison Barnes (6-8 210, 15.7 PPG/5.8 RPG), John Henson (6-10 210, 11.7 PPG/10.1 RPG), Tyler Zeller (7-0 250, 15.7 PPG/7.2 RPG).

Key bench players: Guard Reggie Bullock, guard Justin Watts, forward James Michael McAdoo, guard P.J. Hairston.

Preseason Quotable: UNC coach Roy Williams on coaching turnover in ACC – “I think we’ve changed seven of our last 12 coaches in the last two years. That’s mindboggling. But it’s what it is now – you’re not given as much time to change things. It’s harder to do now.”

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The target is on their backs – reversing the roles from rival Duke’s No. 1 status preseason last year. You know why they’re the preseason favorites – the big guns are back with preseason ACC player of the year Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson in the frontcourt – Kendall Marshall leading the charge in guards with Dexter Strickland. Freshman talent, like last year, will work its way in, especially with junior guard Leslie McDonald sidelined for most of the season after a knee injury this summer. The big question is – can they handle the hype? I think they can, but it won’t be easy.

NC State Wolfpack

2010-11 Record: 15-16, 5-11 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 8th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at Littlejohn, Feb. 25 at 2:30 ET

Last Season: The Tigers split with NC State last season, taking a 60-50 win in Littlejohn, and struggling to a 69-61 loss at NC State.

Returning Starters: Three

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Lorenzo Brown (6-5 186, 4.7 PPG/3.7 APG), C.J. Williams (6-5 218, 4.7 PPG/1.1 APG)*

Frontcourt: Scott Wood (6-6 177, 9.7 PPG/1.4 APG), C.J. Leslie (6-8 206, 11 PPG/7.2 RPG), DeShawn Painter (6-9 227, 4.6 PPG/3.5 RPG)

Key bench players: Forwards – Richard Howell, Jordan Vandenberg, Tyler Harris; Guards – Alex Johnson

*Out indefinitely with a fractured thumb

Preseason Quotable: NC State coach Mark Gottfried on high-intensity practices – “There’s a learning curve for this team – to learn how to truly go after one another each day…then hopefully when we get to November, and the light’s come on and the popcorn’s popping, we can now compete on a daily basis then that’s just a part of our DNA, because that’s how we compete in practice.”

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Mark Gottfried takes a roster with three starters back, led by sophomore C.J. (Calvin to Gottfried) Leslie’s 11 points per game from 2010, along with a no. of upperclassmen on the frontline. Sophomore Lorenzo Brown takes charge of the backcourt after Ryan Harrow’s transfer. Will the Wolfpack make their first NCAA Tourney since 2005 in Gottfried’s first season? Hard to say, but they certainly have the talent to make a run.

Virginia Cavaliers

2010-11 Record: 16-15, 7-9 ACC)

Preseason ACC Rank: 4th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at UNC, 4 ET on Sat., February 18.

Last Season: Clemson shot 33 percent from the field in a 49-47 loss in Charlottesville.

Returning Starters: Four

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Jontel Evans (5-11 190, 5.7 PPG/3.5 APG), Sammy Zeglinski (6-1 185, 7.8 PPG/2.3 APG), Joe Harris (6-6 202, 10.4 PPG/.417 3PT Pct).

Frontcourt: Mike Scott (6-8 242, 15.9 PPG/10.2 RPG), Assane Sene (7-0 239, 5.1 PPG/5.5 RPG)

Key bench players: Guards – K.T. Harrell, Malcolm Brogdon; Forwards – Akil Mitchell, Will Sherrill, James Johnson.

Preseason Quotable: Virginia coach Tony Bennett on his emphasis on defense – “It’s becoming a more defensive-oriented league – it’s hard to advance in any sport in any playoff atmosphere if you’re not really good on the defensive end. You can’t ignore your offense, but whenever I see somebody locking somebody down, I use that as an example for my team, because it is the great equalizer.”

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The biggest offseason move for Virginia was forward Mike Scott back off the ankle injury that sidelined him to a redshirt last season. Scott is the ACC’s leading returning in scoring (963 points) and rebounds (679) with 74 career starts. Add Scott to the mix of four returning starters with three solid guards in Jontel Evans, Sammy Zeglinski and Joe Harris – 7’0 center Assane Sene, and the Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers look like a formidable team. Scoring consistently is the issue for a Virginia team that finished dead-last in points per game (61.9) when they had the third best scoring defense.

Virginia Tech Hokies

2010-11 Record: 22-12, 9-7 ACC

Preseason ACC Rank: 6th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at Virginia Tech, Feb. 4 at 4:00 ET

Last Season: The Tigers topped the Hokies 69-60 to close the 2010-11 regular season.

Returning Starters: Two

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Erick Green (6-4 185, 11.6 PPG/2.7 APG), Robert Brown (Freshman, 6-5 180)/Tyrone Grland (6-1 170, 2.7 PPG/0.4 APG)/Jarell Eddie (6-7 209, 2.9 PPG/2.2 RPG).

Frontcourt: Dorian Finney-Smith (Freshman, 6-8 192), Victor Davila (6-8 245, 7.4 PPG/5.1 RPG).

Key bench players: Guards – Marquis Rankin; Forwards – C.J. Barksdale, Cadarian Raines.

Preseason Quotable: VT coach Seth Greenberg on his team – “What I like about our team is we have a great mixture of youth and experience, fifth-year guy like Dorenzo Hudson, third-year sophomore like Cadarian Raines, Erick Green who has the experience of being a full-time starter and Victor Davila – and you have the young guys and five freshman – it’s the job of the upperclassmen to teach these young guys what it takes to be successful at the highest level and have the toughness to win games in this conference.”

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Gone is the most successful senior class in Virginia Tech history with Malcolm Delaney, Jeff Allen and Terrell Bell, but of course, also an era filled with the disappointment of coming up short oh-so-many times of the NCAA Tourney. The incoming class is Seth Greenberg’s most talented yet (ranked 12th nationally by ESPN) with players expected to make an instant-impact. After redshirting due to injury, senior Dorenzo Hudson should provide leadership on the court along with talented junior guard Erick Green, but the Hokies took a hit recently when senior forward J.T. Thompson tore his ACL and was ruled out for a second-straight season. The veterans performing up to snuff will be key for any Hokies success, and staying healthy, an awfully unlucky spot for Virginia Tech the last couple seasons with forward Allen Chaney not cleared to play, freshman guard Marquis Rankin missing the first month-plus of the season with a knee issue and the Thompson knee injury.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

2010-11 Record: 8-24, 1-15 ACC)

Preseason ACC Rank: 11th

Schedule

Plays Clemson: at Littlejohn, Jan. 28 at 12 ET; at Wake Forest, Feb. 11 at 4 ET.

Last Season: The Tigers drilled the Deacs, 63-49 in Littlejohn.

Returning Starters: Three

Projected Starting Five (Height/Weight/2010 Stats)

Backcourt: Tony Chennault (6-2 295, 4.5 PPG/1.9 APG), C.J. Harris (6-3 185, 10.3 PPG/3.5 APG).

Frontcourt: Nikita Mescheriakov (6-8 215, 4.5 PPG/1.8 RPG), Travis McKie (6-7 205, 13 PPG/7.7 RPG), Carson Desrosiers (7-0 235, 4 PPG/3.2 RPG).

Key bench players: Guards – Anthony Fields, Chase Fischer; Forwards – Ty Walker, Melvin Tabb, Daniel Green.

Preseason Quotable: Wake Forest coach Jeff Bzdelik – “I’m really excited about this year. Despite out record last year, we’ve made great strides for future success at Wake Forest. We were extremely young last year…we had no experience, but yet, no team played more freshmen more minutes last year. There’s no greater teacher than experience.”

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To say 2010-11 was rough for Jeff Bzdelik and co. would be something far under an understatement. The good thing about last year’s team being young is a more grizzled group of sophomores, juniors and seniors for 2011-12 – led by sophomore forward Travis McKie. With J. T. Terrell out of the program, the pressure is on junior C.J. Harris and sophomore Tony Chennault to pick up the scoring as Terrell had three game of 25 points or more before his dismissal from the Deacs.