Expectations surrounding N.C. State are huge. The question is can this team handle it and come out on top? I’ll lean toward saying yes, but I think the race for this thing will be tight…real tight. Duke is likely to be there to take it if N.C. State falters in any way. The league got 5 teams in the field last year and that numbers smells about right again for this year with a possible 6th depending on Roy Williams’ coaching job. Yeah, I know UNC is the no. 11 team per one publication & no. 14 per another, but I’m not buying that they belong there.
I think there’s a lot to like in Miami this year IF they can remain healthy the whole year. If they can, it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if Larranaga has this team in the fight for the league crown.
L. Hamilton’s D is something and he’s brought in a couple more shot blocking jucos this year so in my book they have to be mentioned in the mix also.
The fifth team I’ll plug in to the field is Maryland. Howard only played in 14 games for the team last year. Having him on the court along with adding Dez Wells (thug no. 2) from Xavier and with the team they bring back should be enough to get this team in the field.