When the 2018 recruiting season came to a close, Duke found itself in a familiar position. After signing Cam Reddish, RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson, the Blue Devils boasted the top recruiting class in the country.
Along with the aforementioned trio, Duke also welcomes two other highly touted prospects in Tre Jones and Joey Baker, giving the Blue Devils five of the nation’s top 35 recruits in the country, per 247Sports' Composite rankings — a contributing factor that makes Duke one of the favorites to win the ACC this season.
MORE: SN preseason top 25
That said, it’s hard to ignore the other juggernauts within the conference. Reigning regular-season champion Virginia returns all but three players from a team that won 31 games a season ago, while North Carolina brings in two five-star recruits of its own to pair with several key returning players. In all, eight ACC teams are represented on Sporting News' preseason top 25.
With that said, SN breaks down predictions, sleeper teams, X-factors, Player of the Year hopefuls and more for the ACC in 2018-19.:
ACC Predictions
1. Virginia
2. North Carolina
3. Duke
4. Syracuse
5. Virginia Tech
6. Florida State
7. North Carolina State
8. Louisville
9. Clemson
10. Notre Dame
11. Miami (Fla.)
12. Wake Forest
13. Georgia Tech
14. Boston College
15. Pittsburgh
ACC champion: Virginia
We're done underestimating Tony Bennett and the Wahoos. Picked to finish sixth in last year's ACC preseason poll, Virginia ran away with the conference with a 17-1 ACC record, earning the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Wahoos return several notable players including leading scorer Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and versatile sixth man De'andre Hunter. Losing Isaiah Wilkins and Devon Hall definitely hurts Virginia as both started all 34 games last season. Regardless, Bennett should have his guys ready to roll come the start of the season.
ACC X-factor: Duke's freshmen
While talented, it's unknown how Duke's freshmen will play together over a full season. If Mike Krzyzewski is able to make it work and get his freshmen to gel, the Blue Devils will be a force to be reckoned with in the ACC. If problems arise and Duke begins to see chemistry issues, however, a relatively underwhelming season may be in the cards.
ACC sleeper: Virginia Tech
Buzz Williams has done impressive work in Blacksburg since his arrival in 2014. The Hokies have earned bids to the tournament twice in four seasons, including their first appearance since 2007. The loss of Justin Bibbs (13.3 points per game in 2017-18) to graduation is hard to ignore, but aside from Bibbs, Virginia Tech returns virtually everyone from last year's 21-win team. The Hokies aren't unfamiliar playing the role of spoiler either, as they were the lone team to beat Virginia during the regular season last year. Justin Robinson's a potential ACC Player of the Year candidate and the roster's brimming with veterans; there's no reason the Hokies can't shake things up in the ACC this season.
POWER 5 PREVIEWS: B10 | B12 | P12 | SEC
Biggest ACC regular-season games
Feb. 9: Duke @ Virginia — The first meeting between these two in a game that should have major ramifications for the ACC title race.
Feb. 11: Virginia @ North Carolina — The early-February showdown in Chapel Hill marks the only matchup between these two teams.
Feb. 18: Virginia @ Virginia Tech — The second meeting of the season between two in-state rivals, the Hokies and Wahoos know each other all too well and should prove to be an exciting matchup.
Feb. 23: Duke @ Syracuse — The Orange and Blue Devils play twice this season. A victory by the Orange in late February can shake things up atop the ACC as the regular season begins to wind down.
March 9: Duke @ North Carolina — This very well could be the de facto ACC regular-season championship game. The arch rivals play earlier in the season as well in Durham on Feb. 20.
ACC Player of the Year hopefuls
RJ Barrett, F, Duke: The top recruit from the 2018 class looks to become the third freshman ever to win the award. He'd also be the second-straight Duke freshman to win after Marvin Bagley III last year.
Tyus Battle, G, Syracuse: Battle led the Orange in scoring last season with 19.2 points per game en route to a Sweet 16 appearance. The junior guard was also second team All-ACC last season.
Kyle Guy, G, Virginia: Guy returns for his junior season and was arguably the Wahoos' best player a season ago after leading the team in scoring with 14.1 points per game. The sharpshooter for Virginia is one of two returning first team All-ACC player from last season.
Luke Maye, F, North Carolina: Maye was first-team All-ACC last season and he'll likely be a shoe-in for the same honor this season. Maye will also be in conversation for National Player of the Year as well.
Justin Robinson, G, Virginia Tech: While Justin Bibbs led the Hokies last season, Robinson was equally as vital. His 14.0 points per game led the entire Virginia Tech team and earned him second team All-ACC honors last season.
MID-MAJOR PREVIEWS: AAC | A10 | WCC
ACC coach with something to prove: Buzz Williams, Virginia Tech
Williams enters his fifth season in Blacksburg with perhaps his best team yet. After taking Marquette to five NCAA Tournament appearances in six seasons — include Sweet 16 and Elite Eight runs in back-to-back seasons — expectations for the Hokies are the highest they've been in a long time. The 2018-19 season has endless possibilities for Williams and Co.