Miami Picked Fourth in ACC Preseason Poll

 
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami men’s basketball team was predicted to finish fourth in the 2017-18 Atlantic Coast Conference preseason media poll, as announced by the league on Thursday.
 
The fourth-place ranking ties for Miami’s highest-ever finish in the ACC’s annual preseason poll. The Hurricanes were also picked fourth in 2008-09, and have been picked fifth on three separate occasions (2011-12, 2012-13 & 2015-16). Since head coach Jim Larrañaga arrived in Coral Gables in 2011, Miami has ended every season above its projected finish in the ACC preseason poll.
 
Duke was selected first in this year’s poll, garnering 57 of a possible 69 first-place votes. North Carolina (seven first-place votes) was picked in second place, followed by Notre Dame (4) and the Hurricanes (1).
 
In addition to their fourth-place projected finish as a team, the Hurricanes had two student-athletes recognized for individual preseason honors: sophomore guard Bruce Brown Jr. was named to the Preseason All-ACC Second Team and finished in fourth place in the Preseason Player of the Year voting, while freshman guard Lonnie Walker IV finished second in the Preseason Rookie of the Year voting.
 
Miami’s preseason poll selections (with total points) and finishes since joining the ACC are as follows:
 
2016-17: 9th (650) – T7th
2015-16: 5th (841) – T2nd
2014-15: 10th (442) – T6th
2013-14: 12th (224) – 10th
2012-13: 5th (436) – 1st
2011-12: 5th (455) – T4th
2010-11: 8th (305) – 9th
2009-10: 10th (135) – 12th
2008-09: 4th (344) – T7th
2007-08: 12th (153) – T5th
2006-07: 11th (173) – 12th
2005-06: 7th (540) – T7th
2004-05: 11th (146) – T6th
 
The Hurricanes will face Newberry College in an exhibition at the Watsco Center on November 1, and then open up the regular season on November 10 at home against Gardner-Webb.