A season after winning 24 games and advancing to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, Pitt was picked to finish ninth in the 15-team ACC in a vote by a panel of media members. The conference released poll results Thursday.

Pitt senior forward Blake Hinson, a second-team All-ACC selection last season, was named to the Preseason Second Team. Hinson averaged 15.3 points and 6 rebounds and led the ACC with 97 3-pointers. He also led the Panthers in double-figure scoring games (30), 20-plus point games (9) and double-doubles (5).

Duke’s Kyle Filipowski was named Preseason Player of the Year, and North Carolina’s Elliott Cadeau was picked Preseason Rookie of the Year. Pitt freshman guard Carlton Carrington received one vote in Rookie of the Year voting.

Duke was the overwhelming favorite by the media to win the league championship, receiving 44 of 51 first-place votes, followed by Miami (five), North Carolina and Virginia (one each).

The rest of the Top 10 is No. 5 Clemson, followed by Wake Forest, N.C. State, Virginia Tech, Pitt and Syracuse. Florida State, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Louisville and Notre Dame were in the bottom five.

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