CHARLOTTE—The reigning national champion Blue Devils were picked to finish third in the ACC in the preseason media poll released at the league's Operation Basketball event Wednesday. North Carolina claimed the top spot, followed by defending regular-season league champion Virginia. Duke received eight first-place votes to the Tar Heels’ 60.
Freshman Brandon Ingram was named the ACC Preseason Freshman of the Year and was also voted onto the league’s Preseason First Team All-ACC. Sophomore Grayson Allen—who faces bigger expectations and an expanded role this season—was tabbed to the second team.
North Carolina point guard Marcus Paige and Virginia swingman Malcom Brogdon shared Preseason Player of the Year Honors. The duo was joined on the first team by Ingram, Xavier Rathan-Mayes of Florida State and Demetrius Jackson of Notre Dame.
Virginia forward Anthony Gill, Notre Dame forward Zach Auguste, N.C. State point guard Anthony “Cat” Barber and North Carolina forward Brice Johnson appeared alongside Allen on the second team.
The Fighting Irish—who won the ACC tournament last year after defeating the Blue Devils in two of their three meetings—were slated fourth, followed by Miami—the only team to beat Duke at home in 2014-15. A Florida State squad filled with five seniors and five newcomers was projected to finish sixth, and a Louisville squad mired in an NCAA investigation was picked seventh.
Eighth place belonged to N.C. State, which advanced to the Sweet 16 in March at the Carrier Dome, home of Syracuse, which was pegged ninth. Pittsburgh rounded out the top 10, followed by Clemson, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Boston College.
Duke opens exhibition play Friday against Florida Southern at 7 p.m. at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
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