Bob Donnan/US Presswire

On a young team, North Carolina senior Deon Thompson will be counted on for leadership.

10 Things To Know From The Offseason

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

1. Duke's unexpected scramble: Elliot Williams asked to transfer closer to his home in Memphis because of a family illness. The transfer request was honored, and suddenly the Blue Devils were down to two guards. To solve that problem, Duke got creative and added Andre Dawkins, who gave up an extra year of high school eligibility to graduate early and set sail for Durham. Adding Dawkins should help ease the loss of Williams.

2. Clemson's unexpected scramble: Coach Oliver Purnell was stunned to learn that Terrence Oglesby decided to bolt not for the NBA draft, but for a contract in Europe. Oglesby was a difference-making 3-point shooter and it was a crushing blow to the Tigers. That is, until Tim Floyd resigned at USC. Clemson picked up a significant commitment when Noel Johnson got a release from the Trojans and signed with the Tigers. He's not as deep a threat as Oglesby, but he gives Clemson a key 3-point threat.

3. Busy bees: Georgia Tech had a busy offseason as it attempts to go from two league wins to ACC contender. The Yellow Jackets picked up one of the top three players in the class of 2009 in Derrick Favors. Then Gani Lawal took his draft decision down to the final days before deciding to return to Atlanta. Senior guard De'Andre Bell was cleared to play after having spinal surgery in December. In August, the Jackets lost freshman Kammeon Holsey to an ACL injury that takes him out for the season, but he can be replaced with the depth of Lawal, Favors and Zach Peacock up front.

4. Aminu returns: Wake Forest had a shot to drop from irrelevance had Al-Farouq Aminu decided to declare for the draft. He didn't, which stunned most draft pundits. Guard Jeff Teague and forward James Johnson did leave for the NBA and were selected in the first round. Keeping Aminu at least gives the Demon Deacons one of the top scoring wings in the ACC.

5. Thompson goes international: North Carolina's Deon Thompson had played behind Tyler Hansbrough the past three seasons. Thompson wasn't the primary option. He didn't feel the pressure to produce. But Thompson got a chance to be out on his own this summer, leading the World University Games team to a bronze medal in Serbia. The Tar Heels are in desperate need of a new leader and Thompson came out of his shell a bit on the trip. It appears he's ready for the gig.

6. Practice?! New practice facilities opened at Virginia Tech and Miami. This might not sound like much, but these are two traditional football schools, and their staffs are just giddy about the new options for players and staff. Adding sparkling practice facilities improves the schools' curb appeal. Recruiting is a nasty business, and to be able to compete facility-wise with traditional hoop powers is critical.

7. Stabilizing UVa: New Virginia coach Tony Bennett has always been a players' coach. That's why the Washington State experiment worked so well. It didn't take long for Bennett to be welcomed by the Cavaliers. Ensuring that Sylven Landesberg was on board with Bennett was paramount to him having a chance this season. Landesberg didn't blink about playing for Bennett and is convinced that a more defensive-oriented team will lead to more scoring options.

8. Status quo: The ACC discussed changing the conference schedule format, but didn't get much further than a few conversations. The league is sticking with 16 games, not moving to 18, and isn't interested in moving to two divisions. The consensus among the coaches in the league: Don't mess with a good thing.

9. Seminole journey: Florida State embarked on a 10-day, four-game trip to Spain this month, and one of the intents is proving that big man Solomon Alabi is a basketball player, not just a tall guy who can block shots. The practices leading up to the departure led the Seminoles to believe that positive progress was being made toward that goal.

10. The Lowe down: NC State coach Sidney Lowe said he was going to get a call from good friend and former NBA mentor Flip Saunders about an assistant job with the Washington Wizards. Lowe took the call and stayed put. While the Wolfpack have had a few NBA players come through during Lowe's tenure, the winning hasn't been consistent. Making a change now would have meant another rebuilding phase. Keeping Lowe allows for more consistency; whether that translates into more wins, we'll have to see.

10 Key Players

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

1. Chris Singleton, So., Florida State: He had star potential as a freshman, averaging 8.1 points a game. But Singleton has improved his game and is driving to the hole more easily. If he can be a stud for the Seminoles, they have a shot at getting back to the NCAAs.

2. Trevor Booker, Sr., Clemson: Booker is hardly an unknown; he's the go-to player for the Tigers. But he's going to have to carry even more of a load. Booker was a beast for Team USA at the World University Games this summer, but he has to deliver like that every night this season if Clemson is going to return to the NCAA tournament.

3. Evan Ravenel, So., Boston College: One of the reasons the Eagles didn't add a single player to their roster was because of the faith they had in Ravenel. He didn't play much last season, but the staff is confident he can develop into a solid contributor if he commits himself to Al Skinner's system. It'll need him to be, since the weakness was frontcourt depth a year ago.

4. Malcolm Grant, So., Miami: UM coach Frank Haith said the Villanova transfer has been a huge hit since arriving on campus. Grant stayed in South Florida throughout the summer to help ease into the leadership position at the 1. Teammates have raved about his ability to run a team. He's expected to replace the more scoring-oriented Jack McClinton at the point.

5. Tristan Spurlock, Fr., Virginia: Tony Bennett had to lock in on the previously committed Spurlock. Bennett did wonders with shooters during his tenure at Washington State. If Spurlock can knock down perimeter shots for the Cavaliers and offer up help to Sylven Landesberg, UVa should rapidly improve under Bennett.

6. Tracy Smith, Sr., NC State: The Wolfpack need someone -- anyone -- to stand up and become a go-to player for a squad that has lost its way. This 6-foot-8 forward could be that person in lieu of the departure of Brandon Costner. Smith had his moments last season, averaging 10 ppg on 54 percent shooting. But the Detroit native needs to be the focus for the Pack to snap out of their fog.

7. Ed Davis, So., North Carolina: Davis was a stud during the Final Four, and that alone could have catapulted him into the NBA draft lottery. But Davis knew better. He understood he was hardly polished. So he returned to school and worked over the summer on becoming a much more effective post scorer. He should flourish inside for the Tar Heels, not just as a shot-blocker, but a high-flyer who can flush and score facing the basket.

8. Miles Plumlee, So., Duke: Plumlee was an afterthought last season. But if he can become much more effective scoring in the low post opposite Kyle Singler, the Blue Devils will be even tougher to defend down low. Miles' highly touted brother, Mason, is joining the Devils to give them even more height and depth up front. How much the Plumlee brothers develop could go quite a way toward how successful Duke is inside.

9. Sean Mosley, So., Maryland: The Terps desperately need another scorer to emerge to offset all the attention teams pay to Greivis Vasquez. Mosley had a modest freshman season (5.3 ppg, 23.8 percent on 3s), but if he can turn it up a notch, the Terps have a real shot to contend in the ACC.

10. Ishmael Smith, Sr., Wake Forest: Smith has waited his turn to take over at the point; he played the secondary role to Jeff Teague the past two seasons. Wake coach Dino Gaudio says Smith can handle the chore. He'll have to shoot better than 24 percent and score more than 6.2 points a game, though. Smith has to make himself a factor every time he touches the ball. That's what Teague did for Wake last season.

10 Freshmen We Can't Wait To See

By Paul Biancardi
National Director of Recruiting, Scouts Inc.

1. Derrick Favors, PF, Georgia Tech: He dominates the game in the paint as a shot-blocker, rebounder and scorer. Favors might make the biggest impact of any freshman in the league because of his skills and Tech's need for him to produce.

2. John Henson, PF, North Carolina: Without question, Henson is the incoming ACC freshman with the most potential. His versatility and skills are incredible for his size (6-10). He'll play as much as his painfully thin body will allow.

3. Ryan Kelly, PF, Duke: Kelly has a skill set that separates him from others at his position. He's the best face-up freshman forward coming into the league. He gives Duke another weapon and will stretch defenses with his deep shooting range.

4. Michael Snaer, SG, Florida State: This kid is a major talent who competes and has the ability to score from different spots on the floor. Snaer's a bit streaky as a long-range shooter. Still, he gives Leonard Hamilton a freshman capable of having big scoring nights.

5. Milton Jennings, SF, Clemson: Jennings is a mismatch for opponents. He has the jumper and the range to stay behind the line, and he has the size (6-9) and the length to score inside. But he needs to hit the weight room to reach his potential.

6. Scott Wood, SG, NC State: At 6-7, Wood is a tremendous long-range shooter and has the size to see over defenders. He has a great IQ for the game, but to maximize his impact, he needs to commit himself to improving defensively.

7. Ari Stewart, SF, Wake Forest: He has incredible athletic ability and quickness. Stewart is dangerous on the break in the open floor and flashes a rapidly improving perimeter jumper. He needs to improve his feel for the game. He kind of reminds me of Jason Richardson.

8. Durand Scott, SG, Miami: Is an attacking guard who gets to the rim on a consistent basis. The New York product scores primarily off the dribble and pull-up jumper, and Scott must improve his outside shooting. Frank Haith will love his defensive versatility.

9. Jontel Evans, PG, Virginia: Evans is a strong, stocky scoring point guard. New coach Tony Bennett is going to need this competitive player to step in right away at a key position.

10. Erick Green, PG, Virginia Tech: Green can play both guard spots and loves to run. He has elite quickness and speed and excels in the open floor. His acrobatic finishes at the rim are a sight to see.

10 Nonconference Games We Can't Wait To See

By Andy Katz
ESPN.com

1. North Carolina at Kentucky, Dec. 5: The Tar Heels smashed the Wildcats last season, but this is a new era for both clubs. And the revamped Tar Heels have to go into Rupp, where John Calipari and his elite athletes await.

2. Michigan State at North Carolina, Dec. 1: A rematch of the national title game, the headliner of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge should give us an early indication of where the defending champs are this season. We know the Spartans will be contenders from start to finish, but the Heels could prove their worth early with a home win of this stature.

3. North Carolina vs. Texas, Dec. 19 (Arlington, Texas): Jerry Jones gets to debut his new stadium for basketball purposes in an advance screening for the 2014 Final Four. These two teams will likely be in the top 10 for most of the season.

4. Duke at Georgetown, Date TBA: The Blue Devils have the inside game to compete with Georgetown's Greg Monroe. This series has produced quality games, and this one should continue the trend.

5. South Carolina at Boston College, Dec. 30: The Eagles recently picked up this quality nonconference game, as the Gamecocks should be in the chase for an NCAA berth. BC will get a chance to see a point guard in Devan Downey who might remind them of one they just saw depart, Tyrese Rice.

6. Maryland vs. Villanova, Dec. 6 (Washington D.C.): The highlight matchup of the BB&T Classic will be Greivis Vasquez versus Scottie Reynolds at the point. But both teams will want to push the ball and get after each other defensively. The Terps are a trendy pick for a top-four ACC finish, while the Wildcats should be the Big East favorite.

7. Georgia Tech vs. Dayton, Nov. 19 (Puerto Rico Tip-Off): The Yellow Jackets could very well turn it around and become a top-25 team and an NCAA entrant. Dayton is the favorite in the A-10. This is one of the best first-round matchups of any of the Thanksgiving week tournaments.

Possible tantalizing matchups:
8. Boston College vs. Purdue, Nov. 23 (Paradise Jam semifinals): If this occurs, the Eagles will get a big-time game early in the season to check their chances at a conference title run. The Boilermakers return nearly everyone from last season's Sweet 16 team.

9. Duke vs. Connecticut, Nov. 27 (NIT Season Tip-Off finals): The Huskies don't have the inside game to match the Blue Devils, but the perimeter of Jerome Dyson and Kemba Walker can certainly test Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith at Madison Square Garden.

10. North Carolina vs. Cal, Nov. 20 (Coaches vs. Cancer final): The Tar Heels have to get past Ohio State, and Cal would need to beat Syracuse. But if the two meet for a championship at Madison Square Garden, it would be the perfect test for the Tar Heels. UNC guards Larry Drew II and Dexter Strickland will need to learn how to go against elite backcourts, and the Cal tandem of Jerome Randle and Patrick Christopher is one of the best.