Men's and women's teams top ACC preseason poll
For the fifth time in the last six years for the men, and the sixth time in the last eight years for the women, Duke's basketball teams were picked to finish first in the ACC.
The men's team, led by preseason ACC Player of the Year J.J. Redick, was unanimously selected as the No. 1 team in the league. Defending national champion North Carolina, which lost its seven highest scorers from a year ago, was selected sixth.
Redick's teammate Shelden Williams finished second in preseason player of the year voting. Freshman Josh McRoberts finished second behind the Tar Heels' Tyler Hansbrough in preseason Rookie of the Year voting.
In addition to earning the top spot in the preseason rankings, the women's team also features the ACC Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Senior Monique Currie earned honors for the second consecutive year after averaging 17.5 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists as a junior. Freshman Abby Waner won the McDonald's National Player of the Year award last season.
The Blue Devils earned 30 of the first place votes, while North Carolina, which beat Duke in each of the teams' three meetings last year, received the other 10 votes.
Women's recruit and verbal commit visit Duke
The second of Duke's two verbal commitments in the class of 2006 will make her official visit this weekend. Joy Cheek, a four-star recruit according to scout.com, can play either guard or forward. She will team up with the Blue Devils' second commit Bridgette Mitchell-who visited campus last weekend-as freshmen next season.
Looking forward to the class of 2007, head coach Gail Goestenkors hosted high school junior Angie Bjorklund, a Spokane, Wash. native, yesterday and today. The 5-foot-11 guard was selected to the Parade All-America Fourth Team as a sophomore and is one of the top recruits in her class.
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