MBB Picked Fifth in ACC Media Poll
CHARLOTTE – The University of Miami men’s basketball team has been predicted to finish fifth in the ACC this season as announced by the league during Operation ACC Basketball in Charlotte, N.C. Wednesday.
The fifth-place ranking places Miami in the same position as a year ago, the second-highest rank since joining the ACC in 2004-05. Miami’s preseason breakdowns (votes) are as follows: 2012-13 – 5th (436), 2011-12 – 5th (455), 2010-11 – 8th (305), 2009-10 – 10th (135), 2008-09 – 4th (344), 2007-08 – 12th (153), 2006-07 – 11th (173), 2005-06 – 7th (540) and 2004-05 – 11th (146).
NC State was picked to win the league, followed by Duke, North Carolina and Florida State.
The complete predictions and preseason awards are below.
In 2012-13, Coach Jim Larranaga and his staff will begin their second year at the helm in Coral Gables. Having posted a 20-13 record and an appearance in the NIT (second round) in his first campaign, Larranaga was the first Canes coach to open his UM career with 20 wins. Miami finished the season tied for fourth in the conference, a program-best, and registered Miami’s first-ever winning record in the ACC (9-7).
Miami returns nine scholarship players from the 2011-12 roster. Those nine players accounted for 80 percent of the Canes scoring, and 86 percent of rebounds, 82 percent of assists, 91 percent of blocks, 83 percent of steals, 81 percent of field goals made and 72 percent of three pointers made.
The Canes open the season with an exhibition on Nov. 2 against St. Leo, then open the regular season on Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. against Stetson in the BankUnited Center.
With the first games of the 2012-13 campaign just two weeks away, it’s time to get your tickets for the Miami men’s basketball season. This year the Canes will host numerous high-profile ACC and nonconference opponents at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, so fans should call 800-284-2263 now to reserve your tickets. Ticket options include the FAN-tastic 4-Pack and the ACC Weekend Pack.
The FAN-tastic 4-Pack includes a premium seat for men’s basketball matchups against Michigan State (Nov. 28), Duke (Jan. 23), Florida State (Jan. 27) and North Carolina (Feb. 9) for just $250. The ACC Weekend Pack offers fans a choice of three levels of tickets to Miami’s men’s games against Maryland (Jan. 13), Florida State (Jan. 27), North Carolina (Feb. 9) and Clemson (March 9). ACC diehards can sit in premium seats for $186, select seating for $106 or regular seating for $63.
Team Predictions (First place votes), overall votes
1. NC State (26) 601
2. Duke (21) 589
3. North Carolina 520
4. Florida State (6) 484
5. Miami 436
6. Maryland 341
7. Virginia 287
8. Clemson 277
9. Georgia Tech 189
10. Virginia Tech 169
11. Wake Forest 151
12. Boston College 90
(53 ballots)
Preseason All-ACC
Lorenzo Brown, Jr., NC State
C.J. Leslie, Jr., NC State
James Michael McAdoo, So., North Carolina
Mason Plumlee, Sr., Duke
Michael Snaer, Sr., Florida State
Preseason ACC Player of the Year
C.J. Leslie, Jr., NC State
Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year
Rodney Purvis, Fr., NC State