-Compiled by Adi Joseph

BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLESCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked 2006-07 Record: 21-12 (10-6 ACC)Key Losses: F Jared Dudley, C Sean Williams, G Sean Marshall Players To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G Tyrese Rice (17.6 ppg, 5.4 apg), F Shamari Spears (7.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 55.4 FG%), F John Oates (4.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Outlook: The key for the Eagles this season is the play of Rice, who will take over the starring role for the departed Dudley. Rice is one of the top point guards in the country, and he’ll be allowed to move off-ball occasionally, thanks to freshman Biko Paris, part of an underrated recruiting class. The frontcourt should be strong with most players returning and Al Skinner is an underrated and outstanding coach, so the Eagles may sneak up on teams.

CLEMSON TIGERSCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked2006-07 Record: 25-11 (7-9 ACC)Key Losses: G Vernon HamiltonPlayers To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G K.C. Rivers (14 ppg, 4.5 rpg), F James Mays (12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg), G Clif Hammonds (11.6 ppg, 4.1 apg)

Outlook: No team collapsed quite like the Tigers last season. At 17-0, Clemson was the nation’s last undefeated team, only to wind up in the NIT. They bounced back for that tournament, though, reaching the championship in what may be a sign of things to come. Almost everyone returns for the Tigers, and coach Oliver Purnell knows that this team must be the first Clemson squad to reach the NCAA Tournament since 1998 if he wants any real job security.

DUKE BLUE DEVILSCurrent AP Poll Ranking: 13th 2006-07 Record: 22-11 (8-8 ACC)Key Losses: F Josh McRobertsPlayers To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G DeMarcus Nelson (14.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Greg Paulus (11.8 ppg, 3.8 apg), F Kyle Singler (freshman)

Outlook: An 8-8 ACC record and a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament are unacceptable by Duke basketball standards. Coach Mike Krzyzewski will be on a mission this season – bringing his squad back to national prominence. And with McDonald’s All-Americans abound, there is plenty of talent to do it. Singler is one of the top freshman in the country, and he should provide the centerpiece of what will be a gunslinging offense.

FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLESCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked2006-07 Record: 22-13 (7-9 ACC)Key Losses: F Al ThorntonPlayers To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G Toney Douglas (12.7 ppg), G Isaiah Swann (10.3 ppg, 3.1 apg), G Jason Rich (10.3 ppg)

Outlook: The Seminoles have spent two seasons on the bubble, only to wind up in the NIT. And as much as their fan base would love to see the next step, the loss of Thornton is a major setback. The aforementioned trio of guards is one of the best in the conference, especially considering their experience (Swann and Rich are seniors, Douglas is a redshirt junior). Still, the team lacks experience in the paint and a player like Thornton.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETSCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked2006-07 Record: 20-12 (8-8 ACC)Key Losses: G Javaris Crittenton, F Thaddeus Young, G Mario WestPlayers To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G Lewis Clinch (13.2 ppg), G Anthony Morrow (9.9 ppg), F Jeramis Smith (8.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 59.6 FG%)

Outlook: Arguably, the Yellow Jackets have usurped North Carolina’s claim as the deepest ACC team. With a potential 11 players fighting for starting positions, the team has as many talented players as any team in the country. That should help make up for the lack of a proven star, as should the abilities of freshman forward Gani Lawal. But unless coach Paul Hewitt finds a point guard in the mess of skilled players, his team may be in disarray offensively.

MARYLAND TERRAPINSCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked 2006-07 Record: 25-9 (10-6 ACC) Key Losses: G D.J. Strawberry, G Mike Jones, C Ekene Ibekwe Players To Watch (’06-’07 stats): F James Gist (12.6 ppg, 7.2 rpg), G Greivis Vasquez (9.8 ppg, 4.6 apg), G Eric Hayes (4.8 ppg, 3.9 apg)

Outlook: After losing Strawberry’s leadership, Jones’ scoring ability and Ibekwe’s defensive prowess, the Terps have some holes in their lineup. Gist and Vasquez return and will look to take on major leadership roles this season, as well as much of the scoring slack. Beyond that, the lineup is relatively untested. And it will be the play of the role players and bit parts, especially a relatively unheralded freshman class, that will determine where the Terps go this season.

MIAMI HURRICANESCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked 2006-07 Record: 12-20 (4-12 ACC) Key Losses: G Anthony Harris, G Denis Clemente Players To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G Jack McClinton (16.7 ppg), F Brian Asbury (11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg), F/C Dwayne Collins (8.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg)

Outlook: Some good news, and some bad news. On the positive, the Hurricanes have most of their front court returning including Asbury, Collins, Anthony King and Jimmy Graham (Terp fans might remember his nine-point, seven-rebound, five-block performance in the ACC tournament). The negative is that this team was absolutely dreadful last season against seemingly all opponents OTHER than the Terps, and with Clemente and Harris gone, they have no one to run the offense.

N.C. STATE WOLFPACKCurrent AP Poll Ranking: 21st 2006-07 Record: 20-16 (5-11 ACC) Key Losses: G Engin Atsur Players To Watch (’06-’07 stats): F Brandon Costner (16.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg), F Ben McCauley (14.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg), G/F Gavin Grant (14.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.8 apg)

Outlook: With an abundance of talent and a head coach rocking the red blazer with style, the Wolfpack are ready to make their move this season. They were impressive down the stretch last year, making a strong push in the ACC Tournament and performing well in the NIT. Costner and freshman J.J. Hickson have star potential and McCauley showed great strides last season. The only real concern is that without Atsur, the team may lack leadership.

NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELSCurrent AP Poll Ranking: 1st2006-07 Record: 31-7 (11-5 ACC)Key Losses: F Brandan Wright, F Reyshawn Terry, G Wes Miller Players To Watch (’06-’07 stats): C Tyler Hansbrough (18.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg), G Ty Lawson (10.2 ppg, 5.6 apg), G Wayne Ellington (11.7 ppg)

Outlook: This team is hungry. Reserve guard Quentin Thomas is the only remaining Tar Heel from the 2005 national championship team. And, with a No. 1 preseason ranking and Hansbrough seemingly the unanimous preseason ACC Player of the Year, the expectations are understandably high. Lawson and Ellington provide a great and improving backcourt and the depth is unquestionably there. Anything short of a championship for North Carolina is at least a mild disappointment.

VIRGINIA CAVALIERSCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked2006-07 Record: 21-11 (11-5 ACC)Key Losses: G J.R. Reynolds, F Jason CainPlayers To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G Sean Singletary (19 ppg, 4.7 apg, 4.6 rpg), G Mamadi Diane (9.6 ppg), F Adrian Joseph (7.2 ppg)

Outlook: Singletary flirted with the idea of entering the NBA Draft this offseason. His decision to come back to Charlottesville immediately thrusts the Cavaliers back into ACC contention. Diane and Joseph are potential stars, and they will be relied on to replace the departed Reynolds. The Cavaliers seem to step their game up for the ACC season every year and it would be surprising if they weren’t in the mix for the regular season title.

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIESCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked2006-07 Record: 22-12 (10-6 ACC) Key Losses: G Zabian Dowdell, G Jamon Gordon, F Coleman Collins Players To Watch (’06-’07 stats): F Deron Washington (12 ppg, 5.3 rpg), G/F A.D. Vassallo (11.1 ppg), F Jeff Allen (freshman)

Outlook: There simply isn’t much left in Blacksburg in terms of basketball talent. An outstanding senior class has departed and left coach Seth Greenberg to pick up the pieces. Washington has shown flashes of star potential, but he has never put it all together on a consistent basis. A deep, well-rounded freshman class should help matters, but unless Washington steps up as a go-to player, the Hokies will likely find themselves in the ACC basement.

WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONSCurrent AP Poll Ranking: Unranked 2006-07 Record: 15-16 (5-11 ACC)Key Losses: C Kyle Visser, F Michael DrumPlayers To Watch (’06-’07 stats): G Ishmael Smith (8.7 ppg, 6.0 apg), F L.D. Williams (8.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg), F Jamie Skeen (7.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Outlook: Playing the game may not be the first thing on the minds of Wake Forest basketball this season, after former coach Skip Prosser died in the offseason. Prosser left a promising group of youngsters and two nice recruiting classes (the incoming class and the 2008 class). But he also left a team that was miserable last season. Williams, Smith and Skeen will have to pick their games up if the Demon Deacons wish to avoid being in the bottom ranks of the ACC for a second straight season.

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