Duke, North Carolina share ACC favorite’s role in basketball

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Duke and North Carolina are projected to be the co-ACC champions for the 2009-2010 men's basketball season.

In the voting among media members at ACC Operation Basketball here yesterday, Duke and North Carolina finished in a tie for first, each receiving a total of 545 votes. Duke received 25 first-place votes, North Carolina 20.

Clemson was picked third and Georgia Tech fourth.

Virginia Tech was projected as the eighth-place finisher, with the University of Virginia picked 11th in the 12-team league. The media have made preseason predictions for 41 years, and this is the first time there has been a tie for first place.

Richmond native Ed Davis, a 6-10 sophomore forward for North Carolina, and Malcolm Delaney, a 6-3 junior guard for Virginia Tech, were selected for the preseason all-ACC team.

They are joined by Greivis Vasquez, a 6-6 senior guard from Maryland, Trevor Booker, a 6-7 senior forward from Clemson and Kyle Singler, a 6-8 junior forward from Duke.

Singler was picked as the player of the year, edging Vasquez by four votes. Derrick Favors, a 6-10 freshman for Georgia Tech, was selected as the rookie of the year.

The ACC also announced the 2012 ACC tournament, scheduled for Atlanta, will be played in Phillips Arena instead of the Georgia Dome.

Contact Paul Woody at (804) 649-6444