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Posted: Tuesday November 09, 1999 12:01 AM

ACC overview

Tar Heels favored; more balance across board this year

Tar Heels Point guard Ed Cota may enter the season suspended. Allsport

Order of Finish 1. North Carolina 2. Duke 3. Wake Forest 4. N.C. State 5. Maryland 6. Georgia Tech 7. Virginia 8. Florida State 9. Clemson

Top storylines

A year after dominant Duke, Maryland and North Carolina were the ACC's only NCAA representatives, coaches expect to see more parity and a return of at least five teams in the Tournament. Senior point guard Ed Cota looks to lead the experienced Tar Heels to another ACC championship, as he did his first two years on campus. And can Duke survive its first ever pregraduation defections (Elton Brand, William Avery, Corey Magette, plus Utah transfer Chris Burgess) with the help of an outstanding recruiting class?

How they will spend Selection Sunday
Relaxing	Sweating	Fishing
North Carolina Duke	Wake Forest N.C. State Maryland Virginia Georgia Tech	Florida State Clemson

Players to Watch

Top Three Frontcourt Players

Terence Morris, Maryland • Junior steps out of shadows of Steve Francis and Laron Profit. Shane Battier, Duke • Suddenly a veteran, Battier has a forward's body and a guard's skills. Jason Collier, Georgia Tech • Averaged 17 points and seven boards after becoming eligible in December.

Top Three Backcourt Players

Ed Cota, North Carolina • Four-year starter hit double-digit scoring in '99. Robert O'Kelley, Wake Forest • Combo guard enters junior year with 162 career 3-pointers. Donald Hand, Virginia • Scored 17 points a game on depleted team last year.

Top Three Swing Players

Chris Carrawell, Duke • Previous role player will step up his profile. Chris Williams, Virginia • Pete Gillen could play this big-time scorer anywhere. Jeff Capel, North Carolina • Looks to get healthy after back surgery and shortened season.

Top Three Newcomers

Jason Williams, Duke • Will be first frosh to start at the point since Bobby Hurley. Damien Wilkins, N.C. State • Much-hyped son/nephew of NBA's Gerald/Dominique. Steven Blake, Maryland • Led the nation's No. 1 high school team a year ago.

Coaches

Hot Coach

Pete Gillen, Virginia • Brought in outstanding recruiting class despite last-place first season.

Coach on the Hot Seat

Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech • No NCAA appearances or big-time recruits since Stephon Marbury left.

Schedules

Toughest Schedule

North Carolina • December alone finds Michigan State, Cincinnati, Miami and Indiana.

Quickest-Way-to-20-Wins Schedule

N.C. State • Besides Stetson and Liberty, big-names Georgia and ASU are beatable.

Mark Your Calendar

Nov. 19, Georgia at N.C. State • First game in Wolfpack's new Raleigh arena. Dec. 1, Michigan State at North Carolina • Consider this a preview of the following week's Great Eight. Dec. 11, Kentucky at Maryland • Served as a breakout game for Steve Francis last year. Feb. 3/March 4, Duke at North Carolina • As always, more than bragging rights expected to be on the line.

Tim Peeler covers the ACC for the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record. Look for his CNN/SI conference insiders during the season.

 

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