Conference preview: ACC

Back by popular demand are my "fearless" predictions for how the various conferences will shake out on both the men's and women's sides. I'll look at each of the major conferences over the next few days. As always, if you think I'm on target or off base, make sure to let me know with your comments.

Today's conference: ACC

Tomorrow's conference: SEC

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Conference preview: ACC

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MEN

2008-09 outlook

__[#image: /photos/55ad70cab01eefe207f674d2]|||Clemson|||

Predicted champion: Clemson

Predicted player of the year: Kyle Stanley, Clemson

Predicted freshman of the year: Jacob Berger, Clemson

NCAA Regional bound: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Wake Forest, Duke, N.C. State

Team on the rise: North Carolina

Biggest question mark: Georgia Tech

Wouldn't surprise me to see: Florida State's Drew Kittleson, runner-up at last month's U.S. Amateur, use the confidence built at Pinehurst No. 2 to win at least one tournament this fall and become an all-ACC selection by year's end.

Would shock me to see: The Seminoles fail to bounce back after winning their first ACC title last year, only to miss out on advancing to national, and be a top-10 program again this season.

__2007-08 accolades

Team champion:__ Florida State

Player of the year: Webb Simpson, Wake Forest

Freshman of the year: Kevin O'Connell, North Carolina

Coach of the year: Trey Jones, Florida State

ACC medalist: Webb Simpson, Wake Forest

All-ACC First team:

Jonas Blixt, Florida State

Chris Gold, Maryland*

Chesson Hadley, Georgia Tech*

Matt Hill, N.C. State*

Clark Klaasen, Duke*

Kevin O'Connell, North Carolina*

Matt Savage, Florida State*

Michael Schachner, Duke

Webb Simpson, Wake Forest

Kyle Stanley, Clemson*

Cameron Tringale, Georgia Tech*

Jurrian van der Vaart, Virginia Tech

2008-09 predicted finish:

__WOMEN

2008-09 outlook

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Predicted champion: Duke

Predicted player of the year: Amanda Blumenherst, Duke

Predicted freshman of the year: Mina Harigae, Duke

NCAA Regional bound: Duke, Wake Forest, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida State

Team on the rise: Wake Forest

Biggest question mark: North Carolina

Wouldn't surprise me to see: Wake Forest and Virginia give Duke a run for its money at the ACC Championship.

Would shock me to see: Blumenherst not win medalist honors in at least four tournaments her senior season.

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2007-08 accolades

Team champion:__ Duke

Player of the year: Amanda Blumenherst, Duke

Freshman of the year: Natalie Sheary, Wake Forest

Coach of the year: Kim Lewellen, Virginia

ACC medalist: Amanda Blumenherst, Duke

All-ACC First team:

Amanda Blumenherst, Duke*

Kelly Calkin, Maryland

Sydney Crane, North Carolina*

Lauren Doughtie, N.C. State*

Nannette Hill, Wake Forest*

Lene Krog, Virginia*

Jennie Lee, Duke*

Calle Nielson, Virginia*

Jennifer Pandolfi, Duke

Natalie Sheary, Wake Forest*

Caroline Westrup, Florida State*

Alison Whitaker, Duke*

2008-09 predicted finish: