It was a fun little exercise back in July to run through all of the ACC’s football media guides and find out what it all meant for each school.
Well, now that basketball is about to begin and I didn’t get the chance to repeat this endeavor since media day in Atlanta two weeks ago, now’s as good a time as any to run through this.
SEE RELATED:Basketball teams don’t seem quite as fond of having overarching slogans as football teams do; only Clemson (“Above and Beyond”) bothered for hoops.
Virginia Tech has a logo for the 100-year anniversary of the program. And the only coaches on the front covers for their respective schools are Clemson’s Oliver Purnell, Maryland‘s Gary Williams and N.C. State’s Sidney Lowe.
Here’s the school-by-school rundown:
* Boston College
On the cover: G Tyrese Rice, F Tyler Roche, G/F Biko Paris (in the background)
What it means: Paris is going in for a basket against Kansas, so it might mean “BC could play the eventual national champions —- at home.” But since Rice has the starring role, it says precisely what everyone thinks of the Eagles: The senior guard will take them as far as they can go.
* Clemson
On the cover: G K.C. Rivers, F Raymond Sykes, coach Oliver Purnell
What it means: Seniors first here; no reason to make too big a deal out of Trevor Booker just yet, though the junior will attract plenty of attention throughout the season.
* Duke
On the cover: G Greg Paulus, F David McClure, F Jordan Davidson
What it means: Seniors are verrrry special at Duke. Coach K, by the way, didn’t even make the back cover, though his gold medal moment from Beijing rightfully gets some play on the inside front cover.
* Florida State
On the cover: G Toney Douglas, F Uche Echefu, G Brian Hoff
What it means: Yet again, basketball programs love showcasing their seniors. This is increasingly looking like a useless entry.
* Georgia Tech
On the cover: Just about every returning player in front of a silhouette of the Atlanta skyline
What it means: Your guess is as good as mine, which pretty much sums up the Yellow Jackets over the last few years.
* Maryland
On the cover: G Eric Hayes, G Greivis Vasquez, F Landon Milbourne, F Dave Neal, coach Gary Williams
What it means: Since the Neal picture features him wearing a black sleeve on his left shoulder, I’ll never have to ask myself “Now which shoulder gives him all that trouble” ever again.
* Miami
On the cover: F Brian Asbury, F Jimmy Graham, G Lance Hurdle, G Jack McClinton
What it means: Since the first three guys appear pleased and McClinton looks locked in, this is probably the best way to visually say “NCAA tournament second round.”
(Bonus for Terps fans: The inside back cover lists Miami’s 11 victories over ranked teams in the last four seasons; four came against Maryland).
* North Carolina
On the cover: G Bobby Frasor, F Mike Copeland, C Tyler Hansbrough, G/F Danny Green, G/F Marcus Ginyard
What it means: The fact it isn’t all Hansbrough, all the time (that’s reserved for the back cover) means the folks in Chapel Hill realize no matter how hard you work, you still need four other guys on the floor.
* N.C. State
On the cover: G Courtney Fells, F Brandon Costner, F Ben McCauley, coach Sidney Lowe (wearing his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), Mr. Wuff, two NCAA title trophies
What it means: Here’s guessing it’s not an invitation to play six degrees of separation between the trophies and one-and-done forward J.J. Hickson.
* Virginia
On the cover: Top half is G Mamadi Diane; bottom half is the entire roster
What it means: Tunji Soroye, who’s been around so long it feels like he committed to Virginia when Bill Clinton was still president, can tell his grandkids he made a media guide cover.
* Virginia Tech
On the cover: G A.D. Vassallo
What it means: Combined with the presence of Malcolm Delaney and Jeff Allen on the back cover, it hints that the Hokies have three really good sure things —- and beyond that, it will be up to Seth Greenberg to work his usual magic.
* Wake Forest
On the cover: The whole roster up top; Joel Coliseum at the bottom
What it means: No one —- not veteran Ish Smith, not star forward James Johnson, not one of the Deacons’ superlative freshmen —- is getting extreme billing this season.
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