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Well, we're back for more this weekend with two huge games from a national standpoint and another game that could be a conference title preview. The three games are: #15 Florida State @ Georgia Tech (3:30 PM on ABC), #8 Florida vs. #6 Georgia in Jacksonville (3:30 PM on CBS) and #1 Texas @ #7 Texas Tech (8 PM on ABC). There are some question marks in each game, from the play of Florida State QB Christian Ponder to how effect the Red Raider defense can be against the powerful Longhorns. Here's a breakdown of each game by Billy Palmer and myself, along with predictions.

In a powerhouse conference like the ACC, high-quality talent is everywhere to be found. Unfortunately, many do not look past the Tyler Hansbroughs, the Tyrese Rices, or the Jack McClintons when acknowledging such talent. We take a look at five players who, to this point, have been largely uncelebrated in the conference but will be difference-makers for their teams in the 2008-2009 season.

 

This is the first of my annual six statistical projections of BCS conference starters. The lineups are based on the Starting Fives series of articles released two weeks ago, along with a couple of changes due to recent developments.

 

ATLANTA, GA – For a second-straight year North Carolina was a unanimous choice to finish first atop the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball race in voting by 40 media members at the league’s annual Basketball Media Day.

Duke was picked for second, while Wake Forest was voted third. Miami was fourth, followed by Clemson (fifth) and Virginia Tech (sixth).

 

ATLANTA – Georgia Tech senior D’Andre Bell will miss the 2008-09 season due to a congenital condition known as spinal stenosis, head coach Paul Hewitt announced Wednesday.

The 6-6 guard from Los Angeles, Calif., discovered the condition after he hit his head on a teammate’s leg diving for a loose ball during a conditioning workout on Oct. 10, and felt numbness in his extremities. Tuesday, Bell was examined by Dr. John Heller, a world-renowned spine surgeon at the Emory Orthopedic and Spine Center, and was told at that time he would not be able to continue to play basketball.

 

ACC FIVE-YEAR STANDINGS

 

This ranking tries to answer a simple question: Who has been the best team in the ACC over the last five years?

 

 

Perhaps because they were reserves last season, or hidden in the shadows of bigger-name teammates, or simply not yet ready to shine.. these 10 Sleepers are ready to the steal the national headlines and emerge as legitimate NBA Draft prospects.

 

 

 

College Basketball's Best Coaches

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Unlike the NBA, where most starting lineups are set in stone weeks before the season, NCAA starting fives are highly unsettled and constantly in flux. Going through the BCS leagues this week, I'll be projecting the starting fives for each team. Also included is the team's most important bench option, and some notes on other possible lineups.