Once the college basketball season begins, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks. The experts are coming off an unbelievable 2013-14 college basketball season where the five men combined for a 60% ATS record (332-225-19), including 62% ATS (56-35-3) in the NCAA Tournament. StatFox Brian led the way with a 69% ATS record (76-34-4) on this season, which included a 77% ATS run (44-13-4) from Jan. 17 to the end of the season. StatFox Dave was 74% ATS (14-5) in Best Bets for the 2014 NCAA Tournament to finish at 62% ATS for the season. StatFox Scott finished 59% ATS (65-46-5) for season Best Bets, while StatFox Gary was close behind with a 57% ATS mark (64-49-2) in college basketball Best Bets.

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE 2014-2015 PREVIEW

Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Duke
2. Louisville
3. North Carolina
4. Virginia
5. Syracuse
6. Notre Dame
7. Pittsburgh
8. Miami
9. North Carolina State
10. Florida State
11. Boston College
12. Wake Forest
13. Clemson
14. Virginia Tech
15. Georgia Tech

DUKE BLUE DEVILS
2014-15 SU Record: 74% (26-9)
2013-14 ATS Record: 54% (19-16)
2013-14 Over (Total): 47% (15-17-1)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 12/1

Duke was ousted from the NCAA Tournament in the first round last year, but there is still plenty of talent in Durham. All of the talk begins with the freshman class including C Jahlil Okafor, PG Tyus Jones and SF Justise Winslow. Okafor is already one of the top centers in college basketball, and he will be a major contributor right away. His biggest strength is his offensive game, as he has a variety of moves on the block. Jones was one of the top point guards in the class, and should give the Blue Devils a talented playmaker. Winslow has a chance to earn major playing time early because of his defense, and he is terrific in the open floor. While the freshmen get a lot of hype, there is a lot of returning talent as well. PG Quinn Cook (11.6 PPG, 4.4 APG, 37% threes) has three years under his belt for the Blue Devils, giving the team a true leader at the point guard position. Look for Duke to play Cook and Jones together a lot, giving the team more opportunities to get out and run. SG Rasheed Sulaimon (9.9 PPG, 2.4 APG, 41% threes) had some sophomore struggles last season, but he is still capable of scoring 20 points on any given night. Maybe the most important player for Duke will be PF Amile Jefferson (6.5 PPG, 6.9 RPG). He shows flashes of being an all-conference player, but also has a tendency to disappear. Duke certainly has the talent to compete for an ACC title and national championship, but with so many freshmen, the Blue Devils will have to get big performances from the upperclassmen early in the season.

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS
2013-14 SU Record: 84% (31-6)
2013-14 ATS Record: 56% (19-15-1)
2013-14 Over (Total): 50% (15-15-1)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 30/1

Despite losing three starters, Rick Pitino will once again have a team talented enough to compete for a national title. Junior PF Montrezl Harrell (14.0 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 1.3 BPG) is one of the top returning post players in the country. Last season, he took a big step forward, developing nice touch around the basket. He is a terrific athlete who can change a game on both sides of the ball. The Cardinals will once again have a loaded backcourt, as PG Chris Jones (10.2 PPG, 2.9 APG) and SG Terry Rozier (7.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 37% threes) are the two star players. Jones is great at getting to the basket, where he uses his strength to finish at the rim. Rozier had a huge summer, including competing at the LeBron James Skills Academy, where many people at the camp said Rozier was the most impressive player there. With Russ Smith gone, Rozier will play a much bigger role on the team. Swingman Wayne Blackshear (8.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 40% threes) will be expected to take on more of a scoring load.

NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
2013-14 SU Record: 71% (24-10)
2013-14 ATS Record: 47% (16-18)
2013-14 Over (Total): 56% (18-14)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 17/1

There are big expectations for North Carolina this season, in large part because of PG Marcus Paige (17.5 PPG, 4.2 APG, 39% threes). Paige burst onto the scene as one of the top players in the country, as he does a great job of both finishing, and distributing to his open teammate. He was especially good at the end of the 2013-14 season, averaging 20.6 PPG in postseason play last year. Defenses are going to send double teams at him this year, so he is going to have to be able to find the open teammate. Junior PF Brice Johnson (10.3 PPG, 57% FG, 6.1 RPG) is a guy that has a chance for a breakout season, similar to Paige last year. He is a terrific athlete at 6-foot-9 and 210 pounds, who can get out and run with most posts in the country. Johnson was able to put up those numbers in only 19.4 MPG last year, and he should see the minutes jump to 25-to-30 MPG. For the Tar Heels to make a serious run, they will have to get big contributions from freshmen swingmen Justin Jackson and Theo Pinson.

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
2013-14 SU Record: 81% (30-7)
2013-14 ATS Record: 66% (21-11-1)
2013-14 Over (Total): 47% (14-16-1)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 35/1

Virginia will miss star Joe Harris from last year’s team that earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but the cupboard is not bare for coach Tony Bennett. SG Malcolm Brogdon (12.7 PPG 5.4 RPG, 37% threes) was the leading scorer on the team, and is one of the most complete players in the ACC. He does a nice job of playing under control, posting a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. PF Anthony Gill (8.6 PPG, 4.0 RPG) and SG Justin Anderson (7.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.5 APG) are both capable of having big seasons for the Cavaliers. The defense will once again lead the way, as the team finished fifth in defense in the KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings.

SYRACUSE ORANGE
2013-14 SU Record: 82% (28-6)
2013-14 ATS Record: 53% (16-14)
2013-14 Over (Total): 37% (10-17-1)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 55/1

The Orange lost a lot of talent from last season’s team, but still have one of the top shooters in the country in SG Trevor Cooney (12.1 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 38% threes). He had six games last season scoring 20+ points, while hitting at least four three-pointers nine different times. C Rakeem Christmas (5.8 PPG, 61% FG, 5.1 RPG) will have to take his game to the next level, but he was a terror on the defensive end of the court (1.9 BPG). This is a team that is always tough to beat with its 2-3 matchup zone, but Syracuse will have to get big contributions immediately from highly-touted freshmen PG Kaleb Joseph and PF Chris McCullough if they are going to challenge for a conference title.

NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
2013-14 SU Record: 47% (15-17)
2013-14 ATS Record: 35% (10-19-1)
2013-14 Over (Total): 50% (13-13-1)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 220/1

Notre Dame returns only two starters from last year’s team, but they get their best player back in PG Jerian Grant (19.0 PPG, 6.2 APG, 2.5 RPG), who was suspended midway through last season. He is a heady playmaker, as he does a tremendous job of getting to the paint where he can finish or find a teammate. Swingman Pat Connaughton (13.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 38% threes) is a player who will benefit from Grant’s return. With defenses having to focus more on Grant, he will get a lot more opportunities for wide-open shots. PF Zach Auguste (6.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG in 16.3 MPG) and SG Demetrius Jackson (6.0 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 42% threes) are two guys the Irish will look to increase their scoring. This team has a chance to be one of the better offensive teams in the conference, but will have to focus more on defense (70.6 PPG allowed last season, 13th in ACC) to avoid losing as many close games as they did last season (11 defeats by seven points or less).

PITTSBURGH PANTHERS
2013-14 SU Record: 72% (26-10)
2013-14 ATS Record: 43% (13-17-3)
2013-14 Over (Total): 58% (18-13)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 85/1

Pittsburgh saw some success in its first season in the ACC, making the NCAA Tournament before losing to Florida in the Round of 32. SF Durand Johnson (8.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG in 19.8 MPG) is coming back from a torn ACL early last season, and if he is healthy, gives the Panthers a terrific long-range shooter (36% threes in career). The tandem of SG Cameron Wright (10.5 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG) and PG James Robinson (7.6 PPG, 4.1 APG, 3.1 RPG, 1.5 SPG) has a chance to be an excellent backcourt. The Panthers lost 30 points and nearly 14 rebounds from forwards Lamar Patterson and Talib Zanna last season, and the backcourt has the ability to make up a lot of those points. A return trip to the NCAA's could hinge on the play of two sophomores, C Michael Young (6.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 36% threes) and PF Jamel Artis (4.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG in 15.4 MPG).

MIAMI HURRICANES
2013-14 SU Record: 52% (17-16)
2013-14 ATS Record: 48% (13-14-1)
2013-14 Over (Total): 36% (9-16)
Returning Starters: 1
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 220/1

Miami is a team people do not know about yet, but the backcourt of transfers SG Sheldon McClellan and PG Angel Rodriguez has a chance to be one of the best in the ACC. McClellan was a very talented player at Texas two seasons ago, while Rodriguez was the starting point guard at Kansas State. Rodriguez does a great job of running the show for the offense, while McClellan is a superb athlete, who can be an elite perimeter defender. C Tonye Jeriki (4.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.9 BPG) is the lone returning starter on the team, but he is known more as a defensive player. For this team to make a run at the NCAA Tournament, it will need big performances from freshmen SG Ja’Quan Newton and James Palmer.

NC STATE WOLFPACK
2013-14 SU Record: 61% (22-14)
2013-14 ATS Record: 63% (20-12-1)
2013-14 Over (Total): 56% (18-14)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 225/1

NC State has to replace T.J. Warren, who averaged nearly 25 points last season. However, the Wolfpack have a transfer in SG Trevor Lacey, who averaged 9.3 PPG at Alabama two seasons ago. Lacey was a much-heralded recruit out of high school, and has the talent to help NC State fill the scoring void left by Warren. SG Ralston Turner (10.5 PPG, 37% threes) and PG Anthony "Cat" Barber (8.5 PPG, 3.5 APG) are two guys that sacrificed their numbers for Warren last season, and they are both versatile enough to increase their points significantly. The guards of NC State will be huge this season, as the team is lacking a true go-to post presence.

FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES
2013-14 SU Record: 61% (22-14)
2013-14 ATS Record: 53% (17-15-2)
2013-14 Over (Total): 47% (15-17)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 220/1

The Seminoles struggled last season, but showed some potential last March when they reached the NIT Final Four. Florida State brings back its starting backcourt, led by SG Aaron Thomas (14.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 37% threes). Thomas is a difficult matchup because he can use his quickness to drive around defenders or use his 6-foot-5 frame to take smaller guards into the post for easy baskets. With Ian Miller graduated, this is now Thomas’ team. PG Devin Bookert (8.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG) actually shot better from behind the three-point arc (43% threes) than he did overall (42% FG), but needs to be a better distributor (2.8 APG) for this team to move up the ACC standings. SG Montay Brandon (7.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG), 7-foot-3 C Boris Bojanovsky (5.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.9 BPG) and 7-foot-1 C Michael Ojo (2.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG in 11.0 MPG) are three guys that will play a big role in determining if the Seminoles can get back to the NCAA's for the first time since 2012.

BOSTON COLLEGE EAGLES
2013-14 SU Record: 25% (8-24)
2013-14 ATS Record: 31% (9-20-1)
2013-14 Over (Total): 59% (16-11-1)
Returning Starters: 2
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 1,000/1

While it does not seem likely that the Eagles have the talent to compete in the conference, the team does have one of the conference’s best players in PG Oliver Hanlan (18.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.9 APG). He has tremendous size for a floor general (6-foot-4), and he is also fearless when driving to the basket. Hanlan is a great athlete, and if he is able to improve from the 3-point line (35%), he has a chance to become at least a 20-point scorer. SG Patrick Heckmann (6.0 PPG, 45% FG) and SG Lonnie Jackson (7.0 PPG, 38% threes) are two solid role players, but they will have to increase their scoring to open up driving lanes for Hanlan. One positive for the Eagles is that they have eight seniors on the team, which could play a big role in a conference that sees some of its top teams relying on a lot of freshmen.

WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS
2013-14 SU Record: 52% (17-16)
2013-14 ATS Record: 41% (12-17)
2013-14 Over (Total): 50% (14-14)
Returning Starters: 4
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 1,000/1

One advantage for the Demon Deacons is that they have their top two scorers back from last season’s team. PG Codi Miller-McIntyre (12.6 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.0 RPG) and C Devin Thomas (11.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG) are a very good inside-outside duo, allowing Wake Forest to play many different styles of games. For Miller-McIntyre, he must improve on his shooting from the outside, as he knocked down only 20% from the three-point line. Thomas is relentless on the glass, and he will have to continue to do that against some of the top ACC post players. This is a team that will really look for those two to score, with redshirt freshman SF Greg McClinton hopefully being the third leading scorer on the team led by new head coach Danny Manning.

CLEMSON TIGERS
2013-14 SU Record: 64% (23-13)
2013-14 ATS Record: 52% (15-14-2)
2013-14 Over (Total): 57% (17-13)
Returning Starters: 4
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 500/1

The Tigers return four starters, but the one they don’t have, K.J. McDaniels, was the star of the team with more than 17 points and seven boards per game. SG Damarcus Harrison (7.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG) is the leading scorer on the team, and should once again prove to be a key player for this team that won 23 games last season and nearly made the NCAA Tournament. The guy with the most scoring potential on the team is SG Jordan Roper (7.4 PPG in 19.2 MPG). He was a reserve on last season’s team, but the junior has the potential to double his scoring this season. The Tigers were a tremendous defensive squad (58.4 PPG allowed, 2nd in ACC), and that helped them make a deep run in the NIT where they lost in the semifinals. Scoring once again may be difficult for Clemson, so the school will have to bring that same type of defensive effort on a nightly basis.

VIRGINIA TECH HOKIES
2013-14 SU Record: 29% (9-22)
2013-14 ATS Record: 46% (12-14)
2013-14 Over (Total): 17% (4-20)
Returning Starters: 3
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 1,000/1

The biggest positive for this the Hokies is that they now have Buzz Williams as their new head coach. The former Marquette head man has shown throughout the years how to get the best out of his teams. SG Adam Smith (11.0 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.1 APG) battled calf and leg injuries last season, but he showed his potential when he scored 27 points against then-No. 1 Michigan State last season. The 6-foot-1 Smith does not have great size, but he is fearless when driving the ball, and does a great job at the foul line (82% FT). PG Devin Wilson (9.2 PPG, 4.8 APG, 3.2 RPG) is also another talented player, who as a freshman averaged 35.0 MPG. Virginia Tech is thin up front, but PF Shane Henry averaged a double-double on the JUCO level last season.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS
2013-14 SU Record: 49% (16-17)
2013-14 ATS Record: 52% (12-11-4)
2013-14 Over (Total): 52% (13-12-1)
Returning Starters: 1
Odds to win 2015 NCAA Championship: 500/1

Junior SF Marcus Georges-Hunt (11.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.1 APG) is the only returning starter from a team that really struggled last season. Freshman PG Travis Jorgenson (4.3 PPG, 2.5 APG) tore his ACL in the fourth game of the 2013-14 campaign, but is fully healed and will share point guard duties with South Florida transfer Josh Heath. The Yellow Jackets are going to have to get out in transition and get easy baskets, because the team will struggle to score in the half-court. SG Chris Bolden (5.4 PPG) is the second highest-scoring returnee, but he made just 29.8% FG last season.

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