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Top 5 ACC Title Contenders Entering Conference Play

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By @BZarp

Top ACC Title Contenders Entering Conference Play

ACC
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As conference play gets underway in college basketball, the ACC looks like one of the best leagues in the country. The ACC should also produce one of the most competitive championship races in the nation. The league is home to three of the top five teams in the country and could send eight, possibly more, teams to the NCAA Tournament. When it comes to competing for an ACC title, here are the top five contenders.

5. Syracuse

Tyler Roberson Syracuse
Rich Barnes - USATODAY Sports

5. Syracuse

Tyler Roberson Syracuse
Rich Barnes - USATODAY Sports

The Orange don't look like the national power that they've been for the past half decade, but they have plenty of talent and have shown signs recently of putting it all together. If this young team can continue to get better and hit its stride by the time it starts playing the other top teams in the league, it has a chance to be in the mix for an ACC title.

4. North Carolina

NCAA Basketball: North Carolina Central at North Carolina
Bob Donnan - USATODAY Sports

4. North Carolina

NCAA Basketball: North Carolina Central at North Carolina
Bob Donnan - USATODAY Sports

The Tar Heels can be a little Jekyll and Hyde at times, but they may be the most talented team in the ACC. Consistency could be an issue for them, as they could falter against teams in the bottom half of the league, which could cost them a championship. Perimeter shooting could also be a problem for them, but they have good guard play, they share the ball and they have great size inside, which makes them a contender in the ACC.

3. Louisville

Bellarmine v Louisville
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3. Louisville

Bellarmine v Louisville
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The newest member of the ACC should be an instant contender behind a great defense. The Cardinals are offensively challenged, something Rick Pitino isn't afraid to admit. But Louisville has one of the best big men in the country in Montrezl Harrell, and they can challenge teams defensively with a variety of styles and a ton of aggression. Scoring points could be a problem, but behind its defense, Louisville will be in the ACC title race.

2. Duke

Duke Basketball
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

2. Duke

Duke Basketball
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Duke might as well be 1B, because there isn't much to distinguish them from Virginia as the top contender in the ACC. As expected, the Blue Devils are one of the best offensive teams in the country, and freshman Jahlil Okafor may be the best player in the country. Duke has great balance offensively, and it may be one of the few teams in the country that can challenge Kentucky for a national title.

1. Virginia

Virginia Basketball
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

1. Virginia

Virginia Basketball
Brad Penner - USATODAY Sports

Virginia edges out Duke for top ACC contender by the thinnest of margins. One thing that separates the Cavs from the Devils is experience, as Virginia is led by upperclassmen and not freshmen. There's also Virginia's stifling defense, which rarely takes a night off and is of championship caliber. Finally, Virginia's ACC schedule is just a little more easy than Duke's, giving the Cavaliers a slight advantage heading into conference play.

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