Duke, Virginia ones to beat in ACC race

RALEIGH, N.C. — Duke has earned must-see status with its touted freshmen and No. 1 ranking as the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule starts next week.

There isn’t nearly the same type of attention on fourth-ranked Virginia, even as the reigning league champion with returning experience and a defensive-minded style that is difficult for opponents. And yet, the Cavaliers are the league’s only unbeaten team and have the potential to win another title under Tony Bennett, even in a league featuring Duke, No. 9 FSU, No. 10 Virginia Tech, No. 14 North Carolina and No. 20 North Carolina State.

“I told the guys before the (William & Mary) game that you should feel good about yourselves,” Bennett said. “Not too good about yourselves, but good — how you’ve played to this point, what you can be. But know in saying that, you have to recommit to how it is every game. I ask them to play in a way defensively that is challenging and demanding.”

Duke and Virginia were picked 1-2 in the ACC during the preseason. Now the Blue Devils and Cavaliers stand at No. 1 and No. 2 in the NCAA’s NET ranking (a new system to replace the RPI) as well as in KenPom’s national ranking.

Specifically, the Blue Devils rank second in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency (119.1 points per 100 possessions) and No. 3 in adjusted defensive efficiency (87.0). The Cavaliers are ninth in offense (115.9) and fifth in defense (88.0). No other league team ranks in the top 10 of both categories.

Virginia’s advantage is experience, notably with the return of Ty Jerome, Kyle Guy and De’Andre Hunter — the team’s top NBA prospect who can defend multiple positions.

Duke, by comparison, starts with freshmen RJ Barrett (league-best 23.8 points) and Zion Williamson (19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds).

Seminoles rising? While Florida State sits at No. 9, coach Leonard Hamilton sees a team that “has not really been totally in sync.”

The Seminoles’ only loss came against reigning national champion Villanova, while wins against LSU and Purdue came by one-possession margins.

“That’s probably one thing I’m taking away from the early part of the season that makes me feel positive about: the fact that we still are not a well-oiled machine yet and we’re finding ways to have some level of success,” Hamilton said.