This isn't to say Young is a bad hire in Blacksburg, but with all the graduations and departures, I think the Hokies may be bringing up the bottom of the ACC next season. Especially if Blackshear doesn't return.

Upon initial glances though, they may have company. We have plenty of time for players to pull out of the draft and to pick up grad transfers, but in no particular order I see 8 teams in the ACC right now who look like they may range from bad to NIT at best next season. 1 or 2 will probably surprise, but I don't have high hopes for Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Miami, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Wake Forest, or Boston College. Some like Pitt and ND will likely improve, but the hill to the NCAA could be steep, and others like the Hokies and Clemson appear heading backwards.

UNC loses 5 of their top 6 and looked poised to take a step back from title contender. May be a rough year for the league, which isn't ideal when you unveil a network. I predict the pre-season top three will be 1) Virginia, 2) Duke, 3) Louisville, with North Carolina & Florida St 4th & 5th (UNC 4th if they pick up a big commit or a good grad guy).

I guess you are saying Syracuse and NC State are in a league of their own?

It is the cyclic nature of college sports. Won't stop the gloom-n-doomers though. Expect them to predict the break up of the ACC with members begging the AAC and BE for a lifeline.

GT will be better because they'll get 4* SG from USC who can shoot the 3. And with the ACC being worse they may be shockingly better. But the long term health of the program is still no bueno.

(04-08-2019 03:08 PM)Wolfman Wrote:  I guess you are saying Syracuse and NC State are in a league of their own?

At this early stage, I’d have NC State 6th and Syracuse 7th in the preseason poll, both likely NCAA teams.

(04-08-2019 03:08 PM)Wolfman Wrote:  It is the cyclic nature of college sports. Won't stop the gloom-n-doomers though. Expect them to predict the break up of the ACC with members begging the AAC and BE for a lifeline.

I agree it’s cyclical. I’m not worried about gloom and doom with ACC basketball long term, just think we’re headed for a down season.

At some point, when the top recruits no longer have to spend an apprentice year in college, a number of programs will backslide for a couple of years when they can't restock to replace the one and dones. That will be magnified if there are brakes put on the graduate transfer bandwagon at the same time.

But after a couple of mediocre years, those same schools will rise back to the top, which is where most of them were before one and done started. I'd be surprised if schools like Duke aren't already starting the weaning process to soften their landing.