Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/200019
Jontel Evans (graduation). The Cavaliers' size is a primary asset as they look to reach the NCAA Tournament for just the second time since 2007‑08. 6. Pittsburgh Panthers (24-9, 12-6 Big East, in 2012-13) Pittsburgh rounds out the trio of newcomers. Like Notre Dame, the Panthers are hoping a change of scenery leads to more postseason success for a program that consistently succeeds in the regular season. This year's roster hardly resembles the 2012-13 version, with the team losing two transfers, two players to graduation and one to the NBA. Head coach Jamie Dixon will rely on the experienced forward duo of seniors Lamar Patterson and Talib Zanna. 7. Maryland Terrapins (25-13, 8-10 ACC, in 2012-13) This is the farewell tour for Maryland before it bolts for the Big Ten after this season. Even in their down years, the Terrapins are always good for an unlikely upset or two. Head coach Mark Turgeon missed the NCAA Tournament in each of his first two seasons after replacing Gary Williams and needs his squad to finish above .500 to avoid unwanted questions heading into a new conference. Junior guard Dez Wells highlights the returners after recording 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game a year ago. 8. Florida State Seminoles (18-16, 9-9 ACC, in 2012-13) Florida State missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five seasons under head coach Leonard Hamilton a year ago, but he received an extension through 2017 because of the optimism surrounding the program. Senior Okaro White is one of the most explosive small forwards in the ACC and should improve upon his steady 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game from a year ago. 9. Miami Hurricanes (29-7, 15-3 ACC, in 2012-13) Miami reached new heights under head coach Jim Larranaga a year ago behind the dominant play of AllAmerican point guard Shane Larkin. The team will drop off a bit this season after reaching No. 2 in the polls at one point last year. Only one returner scored more than 1.4 points per game in 2012-13: senior guard Rion Brown (6.4). 10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (16-15, 6-12 ACC, in 2012-13) The Yellow Jackets haven't reached the NCAA Tournament since the 2009-10 season and have yet to appear under head coach Brian Gregory. The team's strength is its frontcourt, featuring 7-0 center Daniel Miller (8.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game in 2012-13) and power forwards Kammeon Holsey (8.8 and 4.7) and Robert Carter (9.9 and 6.7). 11. North Carolina State Wolfpack (24-11, 11-7 ACC, in 2012-13) This is a program that can't seem to get over the hump despite strong results here and there the past decade. Head coach Mark Gottfried took the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament