Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball: Updated preseason rankings for 2018-19

By Brian Rauf

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 24: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 24, 2018 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy goes up for a layup. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA – JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy goes up for a layup. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Despite losing all five starters from last year’s team, I have Duke as the preseason No. 1 team in the country. Their incoming recruiting class features four top 10 players (R.J. Barrett, Cameron Reddish, Zion Williamson, and Tre Jones) and I think this group can become one of the most iconic classes in the sport’s history.

Williamson is already a national sensation with his high-flying dunks and will likely be a small-ball four for the Blue Devils, which will create all kinds of mismatches because of his athleticism. Jones is an excellent distributor and defender, both of which are perfect for this team, and Reddish is a smooth, lengthy scorer with vision and a reliable jump shot – and has drawn comparisons to Tracy McGrady.

That said, Barrett, the top player in the 2018 class and projected No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is the guy who will be the most special. He’s a gifted scorer who excels at attacking the rim and has shown an improved three-point shooting stroke. Barrett is also a proven winner, leading Canada to the U19 World Cup gold medal (including a semifinal victory over the USA) and his high school, Montverde Academy, to a national championship this past season.

I think Barrett is as good as any top prospect we’ve seen in recent years and will be Duke’s leader from day one. Those four project to start alongside junior center Marques Bolden, who will provide experience with returners Alex O’Connell, Jordan Goldwire, and Javin DeLaurier off the bench. Four-star forward Joey Baker (No. 33 overall recruit) should also contribute some as a shooter off the bench.

The Blue Devils top-end talent, dynamic scorers, some experience, and depth. If they can stay healthy, the only question with this group will be how those four freshmen adjust to playing together.

Duke, Virginia, and UNC appear to be in an elite class by themselves in the ACC and should all be ranked in the top five in the country in the preseason, but a number of others – Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Syracuse, among others – are capable of accomplishing special things. Every game in this conference is a high-level slugfest and 2018-19 will be no different.