Five things to watch in ACC basketball

5 MUST-SEE GAMES

Kentucky at North Carolina, Nov. 18: UK has 1,966 wins; UNC has 1,950. UK has seven national titles; UNC has four. They have met twice, both times in the NCAAs. UNC won both. Act III at the Dean Dome.

Duke at Purdue, Dec. 2: Young Boilermakers grew into a contender in just one year. Duke won’t catch UNC this season, but get a first look at how it matches up against a physical opponent.

North Carolina vs. Michigan State, Dec. 3 (Detroit): Big Ten and ACC favorites equal a possible Final Four preview, played at Ford Field, home of the NFL Lions and this season’s NCAA finals.

Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech, Dec. 6: Tech gets an early referendum on whether the Jackets are destined for the ACC’s second-division against a young Vandy team.

N.C. State at Davidson, Dec. 6: The ACC has beaten Davidson 14 consecutive times since the 2001 upset of UNC. But State just got away with a one-point win in Raleigh last year. Rematch.

5 IMPACT FRESHMEN

Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest: The 6-9 Aminu (Norcross) is the preseason choice for the league’s rookie of the year.

DeQuan Jones, Miami: Another Georgia product (Wheeler). The Hurricanes have a ton of holdover talent, which the 6-6 Jones will only augment.

Sylven Landesberg, Virginia: A coup for the Cavs to land the best big guard out of New York City (Holy Cross HS). A 6-6 shooter who can run the point, too.

Iman Shumpert, Georgia Tech: The Jackets lack an offensive focal point, opening an immediate role for the 6-5 Shumpert, who can play either backcourt position.

Chris Singleton, Florida State: If Aminu was not the best prospect out of Georgia, then Singleton (Dunwoody) was. At 6-9, his inside-outside game is excellent.

5 STORY LINES TO WATCH

UNC unfinished business: When four guys put off the NBA for one more year in Chapel Hill, it’s not just another season. It’s a Carolina Crusade.

Hurricane watch: Having won just 18 of its first 48 ACC games, Miami took its first step up (from 12th to eighth place). A mirage? Or a program on the rise?

Dookie lapse: Mike Krzyzewski continues a run of fine teams, but since a national title in 2001, the Blue Devils have made it as far as a regional final only once.

Catalin who? What team did UNC beat in the ACC finals in ‘08? Clemson, and with six of its top eight players back, the Tigers bear watching.

Turtle troubles: Where did this program go? Since winning it all in ‘02, Gary Williams’ teams have missed the Big Dance three of the past four years.

5 PLAYERS ON THE HOT SEAT

A.D. Vassallo, Virginia Tech: Seth Greenberg’s teams have a reputation for defense. But scoring? Try 11th out of 12 in the ACC in ‘08. Vassallo, the 6-6 forward, has a load to carry this winter.

Ishmael Smith, Wake Forest: A hot-shot recruiting class gives the Deacons scoring potential all over the floor (and the bench). Smith, the sophomore point guard, has to find the right man at the right time.

Jeff Jones, Virginia: He didn’t have a shooting slump. He had a season slump, hitting just 36.4 percent as a freshman. But Jones has shown the potential to merit taking the next shot. Better make it, too.

Tyrese Rice, Boston College: The Eagles had to over-rely on the 6-1 Rice last year, and his 21 points per night were second only to Tyler Hansbrough. The bad news: BC needs Rice to do it again. And more.

Greg Paulus, Duke: All he’s heard for three years is what he lacks. Maybe he’s isn’t the quickest point man on the block. Nor will he have DeMarcus Nelson next to him. But Paulus gets his last chance.

5 UNKNOWNS WHO COULD STEP UP

Joe Trapani, Boston College: A 6-8 wing player who sat out last year after transferring from Vermont, Trapani is a shooter.

Derwin Kitchen, FSU: All three guards from Leonard Hamilton’s three-guard offense are gone, which is why transfer Derwin Kitchen is here. At 6-4, he can play either guard slot. The ‘Noles need him now.

Lewis Clinch, Georgia Tech: Half the Jackets’ top six scorers are gone. Two years ago, Clinch scored 13 a night until he hurt his foot. Last year, he shot his way out of the lineup. Who shows up now? Clinch can if he takes care of academics.

Brandon Costner, N.C. State: There are holes all over the Wolfpack roster, but Costner, a redshirt junior forward back from knee and rib injuries, can make a difference.

Demontez Stitt, Clemson: The Tigers can challenge the league elite but need Stitt, the only returning point guard on the roster.