Duke yet again the favorite as college basketball returns
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Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer reacts during the first half of an exhibition game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Photo: Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images
Once again, the Duke Blue Devils are loaded on talent and considered one of the favorites to win a national championship this year.
Why it matters: The college basketball season in the Triangle tips off on Monday, and Duke is far from the only interesting storyline in the area.
- While Duke basketball coach Jon Scheyer tries again to get over the hump and win his first championship, both UNC and N.C. State are welcoming new coaches.
Here's a preview of each Triangle ACC school:
- A preseason poll of media has predicted Duke will finish first in the ACC, with UNC coming in 5th and N.C. State at No. 8.
Duke: The Blue Devils start their season at home against Army on Monday.
- Duke has the best odds of winning a national championship, according to sports books.
- The Blue Devils come into the season ranked the No. 2 team in the country, and have five players returning from last year's Elite 8 team. And they've already beaten two ranked teams in their preseason warmups: No. 8 Tennessee and No. 17 Kansas.
Player to watch: Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje, a 17-year-old phenom who is 7'2" and has the ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shooting.
- Boumtje Boumtje is so young that he is not eligible to leave for the NBA draft after this season, meaning Duke will have the rare chance of keeping one of its top prospects for two seasons.
UNC: All eyes are on former NBA coach Michael Malone as the Tar Heels start their season at home against Western Carolina.
- It's a new era in Chapel Hill, with Malone being hired outside of the "Carolina Family." And fans appear to be anxious about his first campaign after a few shaky pre-season performances and a lack of rebounding.
- The Tar Heels are unranked to start the year for the first time since the 2005-2006 season.
Player to watch: Neo Avdalas, a 6'9" transfer from Virginia Tech. The Greek international will be tasked with much of the Tar Heels' playmaking to start the season.
N.C. State: Justin Gainey returns to his alma mater to lead the Wolfpack for the first time at home against Campbell.
- Wolfpack fans are hoping the feel-g0od story of Gainey's return to Raleigh is met with results so they can move on quickly from the debacle of Will Wade abandoning ship after one season.
Player to watch: Keeping Paul McNeil Jr., a former North Carolina high school standout from Rockingham, from transferring was one of the biggest wins so far for Gainey.
- McNeil, known for his sharp shooting, had plenty of offers to leave, but will now be one of the Wolfpack's main scoring threats.