The ACC revealed its annual preseason men’s basketball poll and awards on Wednesday, with UNC senior forward Garrison Brooks picked as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year.

In addition, Brooks and the Tar Heels were selected to finish fourth in the conference — and even received seven first-place votes — after spending much of last season at the bottom of the standings.

A total of 155 voters had input on this poll, which selected Virginia to win the league. The other teams in the projected top three are Duke and Florida State.

Brooks is coming off of a breakout campaign in which he averaged 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor.

He was also named a Preseason First Team All-ACC selection this season, garnering 137 votes while the player who earned the second-most — Virginia’s Sam Hauser — had just 89.

New Tar Heels Caleb Love, Day’Ron Sharpe and R.J. Davis also each earned votes for the Preseason ACC Freshman of the Year award. That honor went to Florida State’s Scottie Barnes.

The news comes just one day after the conference revealed its full schedule for games this winter. UNC will begin its season November 25 against the College of Charleston, while beginning ACC play against N.C. State on December 22.

For the full ACC men’s basketball preseason poll and award selections, click here.

 

 

 

Photo via Todd Melet

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