Men’s Basketball Picked to Finish Seventh by ACC Media

Oct. 21, 2010

CHARLOTTE, NC – Clemson’s men’s basketball team was picked to finish seventh in the ACC by league media on Wednesday at Operation Basketball, the conference’s annual preseason media day. Defending national champion Duke was one vote shy of being the unanimous pick to finish first. The Blue Devils were followed by Virginia Tech and North Carolina in the voting.

The Tigers are coming off four straight 20-win seasons and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Clemson was 21-11 last season, 9-7 in the ACC. The Tigers return three starters and 12 lettermen from last year’s squad, including second-leading scorer and top assist producer Demontez Stitt. He averaged 11.4 points per game last season and also shot 39 percent from three-point range. The team’s other returning starters are guard Tanner Smith and center Jerai Grant. Last season’s third-leading scorer, Andre Young, also returns as the top reserve.

NC State was picked to finish fourth, followed by Florida State. Maryland was slated sixth, while Miami was voted eighth. The final four spots in the voting belonged to Georgia Tech, Boston College, Virginia and Wake Forest.

Duke’s Kyle Singler was voted as the preseason Player of the Year, while North Carolina freshman Harrison Barnes was tabbed the ACC Rookie of the Year. Malcolm Delaney (Virginia Tech), Nolan Smith (Duke), Tracy Smith (NC State) and Chris Singleton (Florida State) comprised the rest of the preseason All-ACC team.

Clemson’s season gets underway Friday, Nov. 12 against Western Carolina. The game will tip off at 8:00 PM from Littlejohn Coliseum.