- CBSSports.com

Even though this year's tourney is still playing out, i want to venture forward and predict next year's field of 65.
So day by day now, i will reveal conference by conference bids. Underlined teams are my predicted conference champs. Bolded teams are my 'in" teams.

ACC (5)

Most Likely: North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest
Good Shots: Clemson, Virginia Tech, Miami
Possibles: Florida State, Virginia

America East (1)

Conference Champ: Hartford

Atlantic 10 (1)

Most Likely: Xavier
Possibles: Temple, Richmond

Atlantic Sun (1)

Conference Champ: Belmont

Big South (1)

Conference Champ: UNC-Asheville

BIg Twelve (5)

Most Likely: Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma
Good Shots: Baylor, Texas A&M
Possibles: Kansas State, Missouri

2009 Tournament

Wake Forest as predicted conference champs?

Wow. Talk about a daring claim, given that the team was under .500 this season.

Granted, they lose no one to graduation in 08, but UNC is only graduating 1. And unless he goes pro (which is a distinct possibility), there's that "player of the year candidate" named Hansbrough down there paving the way for another year. And let's face it, UNC is not hurting for talent this season.

Duke is losing no one to graduation, and though they stumbled at the end of the season, they didn't make the top 5 in the rankings for nothing. This is a team that isn't going to just go away.

Va Tech is only losing 2 to graduation - only one was a starter - he was their top gun, granted. Still, even with the cast of freshmen (SEVEN, including 3 who started) they had, they still managed to finish 4th in the ACC.Of the teams that finished in the top 4 in the ACC this season - a season that included a close loss to Wake early in the season, AND, as they started heating up in the latter parts of the season, an absolute demolition of the same Wake team.

Clemson is going to be hurt the worst. I can see them falling back into the pack.
Miami is losing 4, but they do seem to have a bit more depth.

Given all this, I have SERIOUS doubts about Wake Forest topping the ACC. If they do, it will certainly be by the skin of their teeth.

2009 Tournament

UNC will be losing two players, Surry Wood and Quentin Thomas, but Thomas is the only one who played significant minutes this year. Duke will lose their only senior in Demarcus Nelson. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year this year, but Duke is definitely not lacking in talent. As a Tar Heel fan, I'd love to see Hansbrough stay all four years, but I guess we'll just have to wait it out and see.

Obviously, North Carolina and Duke will be the favorites to win the ACC, but I do think Wake could finish in the top four or so. Then again, it is the ACC and who knows what will happen?

Go Heels!

wopanese Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 15, 2006	Posted on: March 28, 2008 5:22 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. 2009 Tournament
wopanese Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Nov 15, 2006	Posted on: March 28, 2008 5:23 pm Score: 89 2009 Tournament Wake Forest as predicted conference champs? Wow. Talk about a daring claim, given that the team was under .500 this season. Granted, they lose no one to graduation in 08, but UNC is only graduating 1. And unless he goes pro (which is a distinct possibility), there's that "player of the year candidate" named Hansbrough down there paving the way for another year. And let's face it, UNC is not hurting for talent this season. Duke is losing no one to graduation, and though they stumbled at the end of the season, they didn't make the top 5 in the rankings for nothing. This is a team that isn't going to just go away. Va Tech is only losing 2 to graduation - only one was a starter - he was their top gun, granted. Still, even with the cast of freshmen (SEVEN, including 3 who started) they had, they still managed to finish 4th in the ACC.Of the teams that finished in the top 4 in the ACC this season - a season that included a close loss to Wake early in the season, AND, as they started heating up in the latter parts of the season, an absolute demolition of the same Wake team. Clemson is going to be hurt the worst. I can see them falling back into the pack. Miami is losing 4, but they do seem to have a bit more depth. Given all this, I have SERIOUS doubts about Wake Forest topping the ACC. If they do, it will certainly be by the skin of their teeth. [ Reply to Comment ]
lilman_bigskill Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 7, 2006	Posted on: March 28, 2008 9:45 pm Score: 92 2009 Tournament Hansborough will leave, duke is overrated, wake is returning their team and they have the #1 recruiting class in the nation. Nice try, but i do know what i'm talking about. [ Reply to Comment ]
UNCLF14 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Feb 18, 2008	Posted on: March 29, 2008 1:13 pm Score: 60 2009 Tournament UNC will be losing two players, Surry Wood and Quentin Thomas, but Thomas is the only one who played significant minutes this year. Duke will lose their only senior in Demarcus Nelson. He was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year this year, but Duke is definitely not lacking in talent. As a Tar Heel fan, I'd love to see Hansbrough stay all four years, but I guess we'll just have to wait it out and see. Obviously, North Carolina and Duke will be the favorites to win the ACC, but I do think Wake could finish in the top four or so. Then again, it is the ACC and who knows what will happen? Go Heels! [ Reply to Comment ]
Fierce_Cubs Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 9, 2007	Posted on: March 29, 2008 3:35 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. 2009 Tournament
clickfordemo179 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 5, 2007	Posted on: March 29, 2008 3:50 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. 2009 Tournament
clickfordemo179 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 5, 2007	Posted on: March 29, 2008 3:50 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. 2009 Tournament
clickfordemo179 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 5, 2007	Posted on: March 29, 2008 3:50 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. 2009 Tournament
clickfordemo179 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 5, 2007	Posted on: March 29, 2008 3:50 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. 2009 Tournament
clickfordemo179 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Feb 5, 2007	Posted on: March 29, 2008 3:50 pm Score: 0 This comment has been removed. 2009 Tournament

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