I know UNC lost a lot of quality players to the draft, but i'm not convinced that this BC team has the fortitude to knock off UNC w/out a prime-time player like Rice. Sanders and Jackson are real solid, but i don't think they're ready to be go-to guys in the ACC.
I think Rakim Sanders becomes that go to guy this year, Andy Katz already has him on his Wooden award watch list and i'd expect a pretty big year from him. Something like 17/6 with his usual very good defense, he really reminds me of Caron Butler, a very strong wing who can shoot, not saying he will be as good but thats who he reminds me of. I think after this season he will shoot up the draft boards but hopefully he will stay because 2011 could be a special year if he does. He was very clutch last year hitting two buzzer beaters to win games and was their best palyer against UNC, he wasnt great the last few games but was playing with a hand/wrist injury.
Reggie Jackson looks like he will become a bigtime player himself and will put up very nice numbers, Biko Paris is a very solid pg who can hit the 3, and look out for Evan Ravenel who Andy Katz said the team loves and think will have a very nice season. Raji will do his usual stuff, gets boards, catch alley oops, hit the occasional jumper. Southern cant block shots but he can defend and rebound, and his offense really improved last year, Dunn is a solid backup bigman who did a great job on Hansbrough and other teams bigmen.
I liked Rice but he hurt the team a fair amount of time, and because of his style of play he probably hurt the play of teammates. Wtih him its dribble for 15 seconds, pass to someone and call for the ball back, then wait until 5 seconds are left on the clock to either shoot himself or pass it to Sanders or Trapani to chuck it up there. He was a very good player, but i think they will be a better team this year without him. They can certainly compete for the ACC title, they play hard like all Skinner teams but they are also very deep, talented, and athletic. As for the first rankings, id expect them to be in the 22-27 range.