Atlantic Coast Conference

College Basketball

Clemson

Coach: Larry Shyatt, 5th year at Clemson (55-71), 6th year overall (74-80)

2001-02 record: 13-17, 4-12 (tied for last in ACC)

Starters lost: 2

Outlook: Unless the Tigers make a significant move upward in the conference standings, this could be the last season for Shyatt, whose teams have finished in the basement for three consecutive years. Having a skilled, seasoned point guard such as Edward Scott will help. Losing shooting guard Tony Stockman, who transferred to Ohio State, will hurt. Then again, Stockman's defense left much to be desired. The frontcourt of Ray Henderson and Chris Hobbs is huge but inconsistent. The Tigers, who will not play in Littlejohn Coliseum until renovations are completed in early January, need sophomore guard Chey Christie and sophomore forward Sharrod Ford to improve their play dramatically for the team to become an ACC factor.

Duke

Coach: Mike Krzyzewski, 23rd year at Duke (564-168), 28th year overall (637-227)

2001-02 record: 31-4, 13-3 (2nd in ACC)

Starters lost: 3

Outlook: The Blue Devils lost guard Jason Williams, forward Mike Dunleavy and center Carlos Boozer to the NBA, but the return of starters Chris Duhon and Dahntay Jones and the addition of one of the nation's top recruiting classes have Duke poised to contend for its fourth national title. Freshman forwards Shavlik Randolph and Shelden Williams could start right away and give the Blue Devils more toughness down low than they've had in recent years. Freshman guard Sean Dockery should play a lot as Duhon's backup. Sophomore guard Daniel Ewing made 48 percent of his shots last season and played better as his role grew. Jones, a defensive stopper, needs to score more. Krzyzewski plans to press more because he thinks this is his deepest team in years.

Florida State

Coach: Leonard Hamilton, 1st year at Florida State, 15th year overall (200-210)

2001-02 record: 12-17, 4-12 (tied for last in ACC)

Starters lost: 4

Outlook: Hamilton rebuilt moribund programs at Oklahoma State and Miami, and in the wake of Steve Robinson's firing, he has another project on his hands. Look for the Seminoles to make fewer mistakes while using a half-court style that emphasizes tough defense. Replacing the productive backcourt of Delvon Arrington and Monte Cummings is a prime concern, as Florida State lost 68 percent of the scoring from a team that averaged an ACC-low of 71.8 points. Junior college All-America point guard Nate Johnson will lead the way, and freshman Todd Galloway (City) will get a lot of minutes as his backup. Hamilton needs consistency out of junior forward Michael Joiner and better production from sophomore forward Anthony Richardson.

Georgia Tech

Coach: Paul Hewitt, 3rd year at Georgia Tech (32-29), 6th year overall (98-56)

2001-02 record: 15-16, 7-9 (tied for 5th in ACC)

Starters lost: 2

Outlook: Successfully replacing point guard Tony Akins could be the one obstacle that stands between mediocrity and conference title contention. Freshman point guard Jarrett Jack has plenty to work with, starting with emerging stars in junior shooting guard Marvin Lewis and sophomore forward Ed Nelson, who might have improved faster last year than any other player. And now, Nelson gets to move back to power forward, leaving highly touted recruit Chris Bosh to take over in the low post. Forward Clarence Moore's decision to quit basketball doesn't help, but the Yellow Jackets will get help from role players such as forward Isma'il Muhammad and guard B.J. Elder. Seven-foot-1 center Luke Schenscher will be a more formidable presence in the lane as a sophomore.

N. Carolina

Coach: Matt Doherty, 3rd year at Carolina (34-27), 4th year overall (56-42)

2001-02 record: 8-20, 4-12 (tied for last in ACC)

Starters lost: 3

Outlook: Whoever thought the Tar Heels could go nowhere but up? That's how it is this year after the worst season in the storied program's history. Doherty's job appears to be on the line, but at least he will sink or swim with his own recruits, starting with talented sophomores, such as forward Jawad Williams, and a recruiting class that some say is the best in the nation. Freshman point guard Raymond Felton is a candidate for ACC Rookie of the Year, though he might be too good to stay at Carolina for more than two years. Two other freshmen, swingman Rashad McCants and center/forward Sean May, also will start. Athletically, the Tar Heels will hardly resemble last season's plodding squad, but they still have a lot of learning and climbing to do.

N.C. State

Coach: Herb Sendek, 7th year at N.C. State (109-85), 10th year overall (172-111)

2001-02 record: 23-11, 9-7 (tied for 3rd in ACC)

Starters lost: 2