@CanesHoops Fifth in ACC Preseason Poll
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami men’s basketball team was predicted to finish fifth out of 15 teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, as announced by the league during Operation ACC Basketball in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday.
North Carolina was picked to win the league, followed by Virginia, Duke and Notre Dame.
Miami’s all-time preseason poll breakdowns (votes) and finishes are as follows:
2014-15 – 10th (442) – t-6th
2013-14 – 12th (224) – 10th
2012-13 – 5th (436) – 1st
2011-12 – 5th (455) – t-4th
2010-11 – 8th (305) – 9th
2009-10 – 10th (135) – 12th
2008-09 – 4th (344) – t-7th
2007-08 – 12th (153) – t-5th
2006-07 – 11th (173) – 12th
2005-06 – 7th (540) – t-7th
2004-05 – 11th (146) – t-6th
When the Canes open the regular season on Nov. 13, UM will have 10 scholarship players available, nine of whom wore a Miami uniform last season. Four starters return for the Canes, including seniors Sheldon McClellan, Angel Rodriguez and Tonye Jekiri, as well as junior Davon Reed.
UM’s backcourt could be labeled as one of the best in the ACC, as Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan lead the charge for the Canes. Rodriguez averaged 11.9 points and 3.9 assists per game a season ago while McClellan, who is listed on the preseason watch list for the Jerry West Award, posted 14.5 points per game on 48.4 percent shooting from the field.
Miami is receiving 11 votes in the USA TODAY Preseason Coaches Poll.
With a record of 561-383 in 31 seasons as a head coach, Jim Larrañaga is tied for 57th on the NCAA’s list of all-time winningest coaches, and is tied for 12th on the list of winningest active coaches in games against major schools. He holds a 91-49 record through four seasons at Miami and is 41-29 in the ACC.
Miami faces Dowling College in exhibition play Nov. 4, then opens the regular season on Nov. 13 against UT RioGrande Valley (formerly Texas-Pan Am) at 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center in Coral Galbes, Fla.
ACC Operation Basketball 2015-16 Preseason Poll
(First-place votes in parenthesis)
Team & Points
1. North Carolina (60): 1292
2. Virginia (18): 1226
3. Duke (8): 1187
4. Notre Dame (1): 949
5. Miami: 841
6. Florida State (1): 827
7. Louisville: 821
8. NC State: 808
9. Syracuse (1): 666
10. Pitt: 623
11. Wake Forest: 391
12. Clemson: 359
13. Georgia Tech: 296
14. Virginia Tech: 260
15. Boston College: 134
2015-16 Preseason All-ACC Team
(votes in parenthesis)
First team
Marcus Paige, Sr., North Carolina (86)
Malcolm Brogdon, Sr., Virginia (77)
Xavier Rathan-Mayes, So., Florida State (43)
Brandon Ingram, Fr., Duke (29)
Demetrius Jackson, Jr., Notre Dame (28)
Second team
Anthony Gill, Sr., Virginia (27)
Grayson Allen, So., Duke (27)
Zach Auguste, Sr., Notre Dame (24)
Anthony “Cat” Barber, Jr., NC State (22)
Brice Johnson, Sr., North Carolina (22)
ACC Preseason Co-Players of the Year
Marcus Paige, Sr., North Carolina
Malcolm Brodgon, Sr., Virginia
ACC Preseason Freshman of the Year
Brandon Ingram, Duke
Gables, Fla.
