How can I go out on a limb in a conference that already has so much ambiguity? Letting you know that I've won the NCAA lottery for Final Four tickets, have a room a block off of Bourbon Street, and have already reserved my flight to New Orleans to watch North Carolina cut down the nets may be more braggadocios than bold. In truth, it is probably both, but stating that UNC is the cream of this conference (and, really, the nation) isn't exactly going out on a limb. Guessing their point guards' final stats is a great place to start though!
Kendall Marshall will average ten points and ten assists
Marshall's 2010-2011 season concluded with identical 6.2 averages on both of the aforementioned categories, so why not predict the same mirroring numbers? His assist total jumped to 8.5 after he took over the starting point guard duties, and with a loaded offense that loves to run paired with limited competition for minutes, it's not much of a reach to suggest Marshall can average double-digit dimes. The scoring however; now we are getting bold! The biggest obstacle here is the simple fact that Marshall might be the seventh or eighth scoring option on his team. In fact, he only had six games last year in which he scored ten or more points. He also shot just 41.8% from the floor and 69.0% from the foul line. The argument for is that Marshall can hover near these numbers playing a modest 20-25 minutes against weaker, non-conference opponents, and figures to play 32-35 minutes in league play. He'll have the ball in his hands often down the stretch and could double his free throw attempts from a year ago. That alone gets his scoring up to 7.8 ppg, and that's without any improvement shooting the ball.
Virginia will finish 2nd in the the conference, and make the NCAA Tournament
Save the anti-Duke comments for later please. This is a bold prediction, not a statement of hope, er, fact. The Cavaliers finished last year 16-15, and 7-9 in the conference. They played all but ten of those games without double-double machine Mike Scott, who is back after a medical redshirt season. They finished last season winning four of their final six, which includes absolutely choking away a win in the ACC Tournament to Miami. Next, take a peek at their '11-'12 schedule. The Wahoos could legitimately win all of their non-conference games. Yes, all of them. In conference, they do get UNC twice, and have to make a trip to Durham. Outside of that, and a trip to Clemson two days after leaving Chapel Hill, what exactly scares you on the Cavs' schedule? Scott's return, paired with guards Joe Harris and K.T. Harrell's assumed growth in season two leave a lot to like in Charlottesville. Mix in big bodies like Assane Sene, and redshirt frosh James Johnson, and the 'Hoos can bang with the best of them. 9-7 in league play will have them sniffing the 3rd or 4th slot in the standings...10-6 or 11-5...and things get interesting.
Alex Len will be ACC Freshman of the Year
It can't get much bolder than a prediction like this, just days after learning of Len for the first time, and knowing nothing about a player other than what you read. For this to happen, Len is going to have to be everything he's being billed as; which includes being "the best recruit in this class," and "a future lottery pick." Honestly, Len would probably have to match Jordan Williams' monstrous season to have an shot here, because national pundits have probably already cast their ballots for Duke guard Austin Rivers. There is little question that Len has the size to dominate, and equally little doubt as to the opportunity Len will have to produce. Simply put, Maryland needs him to be an absolute beast if they have any chance to compete. I'm reaching here, and clearly have next to nothing substantial to back up this prediction, which is exactly why it belongs here, and not in a preview. I certainly don't believe Len is better than UConn's Andre Drummond or Kentucky's Anthony Davis - but they don't play in the ACC. All aboard the Ukraine Train!