Hokie ClubCHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team was predicted to finish second in the 2010-11 ACC basketball race in voting by 62 media members at the league’s annual Operation Basketball on Wednesday in Charlotte. This is the Hokies’ highest selection in the preseason poll.
Defending national champion Duke was selected first in the poll, garnering 61 of the possible 62 first place votes and 743 points. The Hokies were second with 632 points and North Carolina was selected third with 622 points and the other first place vote. NC State was picked fourth, Florida State was picked fifth and Maryland was selected sixth. Clemson, Miami, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Virginia and Wake Forest rounded out the poll.
Hokie senior guard Malcolm Delaney was named to the preseason All-ACC team for the second consecutive season. He joins Duke’s Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, NC State’s Tracy Smith and Florida State’s Chris Singleton on this year’s team. Delaney received 61 of a possible 62 votes this season.
Singler was the only unanimous selection for All-ACC and was also named the preseason pick for ACC Player of the Year. Harrison Barnes of North Carolina was selected the preseason ACC Rookie of the Year.
The Hokies open the 2010-11 season at home against Campbell on Friday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum.