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DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Mike Krzyzewski describes his latest Duke team as old-fashioned, with an emphasis on old. Sure, the Blue Devils will be heavy on freshmen again after replacing one batch of one-and-done players with another. But surrounding them will be a deep, strong group of veterans with a renewed dedication to defense. These Blue Devils might not have anyone with the star power of Zion Williamson but captain Javin DeLaurier says they have old talent and young talent.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina is turning to touted freshman Cole Anthony at the point to lead a new-look rotation. The ninth-ranked Tar Heels lost their top five scorers, including three NBA first-round draft picks. Junior forward Garrison Brooks is back to join 6-foot-10 freshman Armando Bacot on the interior for a team picked to finish second in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tar Heels also added two graduate transfers in Christian Keeling and Justin Pierce.
UNDATED (AP) — Tony Bennett and No. 11 Virginia have many holes to fill to make another run at a national championship. The Cavaliers lost their top three players from last season's team to early exits for the NBA. Returning NCAA Tournament heroes Mamadi Diakite and Kihei Clark will be asked to take on leadership roles and teach a roster of young players the Virginia way.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim has five freshmen on the roster as he prepares for his 44th season at his alma mater. The Orange received three votes in the AP Top 25 preseason poll and the players say they like being the underdog. Syracuse opens its season at home against defending national champion Virginia on Nov. 6.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A nucleus of veterans helped fuel Florida State 's run to the Elite Eight in 2018 and the Sweet 16 last season. Now the Seminoles have reloaded after losing first-round NBA draft pick Mfiondu Kabengele and second-round pick Terance Mann. The expectations remain high, however, because of the return of senior point guard Trent Forrest as well as five-star forward Patrick Williams, graduate transfer center Dominik Olejniczak and Rice transfer forward Malik Osborne.
BOSTON (AP) — Boston College coach Jim Christian wants his players thinking about the Final Four. That's a lofty target for a team that hasn't made the NCAA Tournament in a decade. Christian says his point is to get his team to think big. Anything else would be limiting. The Eagles open the season against Wake Forest on Nov. 6.
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson basketball coach Brad Brownell is asking for patience as he prepares a roster short on an experience and long on injuries and newcomers to challenge in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tigers lost four senior starters from a program that went to the NCAAs and NIT the past two seasons. The only returning starter is junior forward Aamir Simms, who has spent the past two seasons following the lead of his older teammates. Simms thinks the Tigers have the pieces to play well this season.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina State is focused on getting back to the NCAA Tournament in 2020 after ending up on the wrong side of the bubble last year. The Wolfpack won 24 games with a pair of NIT wins. Now N.C. State is aiming to get back to the NCAAs for the second time in coach Kevin Keatts' three seasons. The team will lean on a deep perimeter led by preseason all-Atlantic Coast Conference pick Markell Johnson at point guard.
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