So with the college basketball season right around the corner, it's time to make a useless, completely baseless preseason ranking...I mean, a completely true, absolutely accurate preseason ranking that will be set in stone! Mark it down, these are going to stick all year!

All right, seriously; here's how I see it going into the season.

1. North Carolina. This team lost almost every important contributor from last season's national championship team, including all-time ACC great Tyler Hansbrough. However, the most important loss for this team is PG Ty Lawson, who left early to go to the NBA. Sophomore Larry Drew and true freshman Dexter Strickland will be counted on to run the all-important point guard position for the Heels, and if they can play well there is no reason this team cannot repeat as regular season ACC champions.

2. Dook. Everyone can talk about how Dook isn't Dook, and how coach Mike Krzyzewski isn't completely focused on his primary job with his secondary Olympic obligations, but the bottom line here is that even with three legitimate guards on this roster (senior Jon Scheyer, junior Nolan Smith, and freshman Andre Dawkins), this team is still one of the better teams in the league. SF/PF Kyle Singler could actually be the best player in the ACC coming into the season.

3. Clemson. Two words for this team: Trevor Booker. The return of the senior forward helps this team out tremendously; he is by far their best player and really helps them on both ends of the floor with his physicality and tenacity. However, he doesn't have to do it all by himself, and the team that coach Oliver Purnell has surrounded Booker with might be his best yet since he began at Clemson.

4. Wake Forest. They lost two big-time contributors in James Johnson and Jeff Teague, but this team has everything necessary to be competitive in the ACC. Forward Al-Farouq Aminu will be counted on to be Wake's go-to guy, and fellow big men Ty Walker, Chas McFarland, and Tony Woods will make this team very hard to defend.

5. Maryland. Say what you want about guard Greivis Vasquez, but he just might be the most complete player in the ACC headed into the season. He proved in big games that he can carry the load, and he can also distribute the ball to his teammates, especially forward Landon Milbourne who will break out this year as one of the league's best players.

6. Georgia Tech. This ranking may seem a little high for the Yellow Jackets, but with a guy like Derrick Favors, your chances to win become a lot better. He may only be a freshman, but he is already Tech's best player and will be the focal point of the opposition every time they play. And I will never underestimate a Paul Hewitt team; the man is one of the more underrated coaches in America.

7. Boston College. Guard Tyrese Rice is (finally) gone, but this team will still be dangerous. Players like Rakim Sanders, Joe Trapani, and Tyler Roche need to help replace the scoring, and one of them will also need to replace the leadership that Rice represented. With no incoming recruits, the burden falls on guard Biko Paris to step up and play well as the only option at PG for the Eagles.

8. Florida State. If you want to watch a long, athletic team this season, watch the Seminoles. They have a stud in center Solomon Alabi, and freshman guard Michael Snaer could very well be a first-team all-ACC freshman performer. Coach Leonard Hamilton has quietly been building a good team in Tallahassee, and they could take the next step this year.

9. Virginia. This team looked good at times last year, but it wasn't enough to save coach Dave Leitao's job. New head man Tony Bennett comes in and has already made an impact in Charlottesville, and he has a great player on the roster already in guard Sylven Landesberg. The Cavs might take a year two adjust under Bennett, but don't be surprised if they make a splash this year.

10. Virginia Tech. This is without a doubt junior guard Malcolm Delaney's team. Gone are scorer A.D. Vassallo and tough guy Cheick Diakite, and Delaney has to be the guy for this team if they want to stay competitive in the ACC. Forward Jeff Allen also has to continue his development if the Hokies will be a factor this year.

11. Miami. Flip a coin here between Miami and NC State for last in the ACC. I came up with Miami at 11th, and it really makes sense. Guard James Dews, along with forwards Dwayne Collins and Cyrus McGowan have big game experience and can lead this team to a few surprise wins. Coach Frank Haith will definitely have his work cut out for him this season.

12. NC State. It is quite conceivable that NC State's best player is forward Dennis Horner. If you are coach Sidney Lowe, that has to keep you awake at night. There is definitely some young talent on this roster - and some intriguing players like 7'1 Australian freshman center Jordan Vandenberg - but it could be a long year in Raleigh unless those young players step up.