ATLANTIC COAST

The most interesting facet of what promises to be a three-way battle for the ACC title is that the three clubs involved use different styles on both attack and defense. On offense, Maryland is very deliberate, North Carolina State prefers the fast break and North Carolina alternates between running and ball control. On defense, Maryland is strictly man-to-man, State prefers the zone, while, again, Carolina alternates and very often employs the press. At NORTH CAROLINA STATE veteran Coach Ev Case welcomes back a full set of starters, led by strong rebounder John Richter and Lou Pucillo, one of the smallest men (5 feet 9) in college ball and one of the best. Pucillo is a clever dribbler and passer and has every shot in the book. With these two are Don Gallagher, Bob MacGillivray and Don Englehardt and veteran reserves George Stepanovich and Ken Clark. Three promising sophomores, Stan Niewierowski, Mark Reiner and Bruce Hoadley, may break into the starting lineup later in the season. This is a fast, seasoned squad, assured of national ranking. The loss of three good starters at MARYLAND is hardly as serious a blow as it sounds. The returning veterans are fast and strong, shoot well and handle the ball with finesse. Coach Bud Millikan has taught his charges well. They are Charles McNeil, Al Bunge, Gene Danko, Jerry Bechtle, Bill Murphy, Pete Krukar, Doc Weingarten, Jerry Shanahan and Jim Halleck. And there is still more sound talent in sophomores Bob McDonald, Bob Wilson, Paul Jelus and Bruce Kelleher. On NORTH CAROLINA'S fine squad there is only one senior, a non-starter, so affable Coach Frank McGuire can look forward to a sparkling season next year. Not that this one will be dreary; on the contrary, though the roster of top-grade talent is slim, it is comprised of good speed and shooting and better-than-average size. Two smooth guards are veteran Harvey Salz and sophomore York Larese. Up front are Dick Kepley, Danny Lotz, Lee Shaffer, Ray Stanley, Doug Moe and Hugh Donohue. Backcourt reserves include John Crotty and Lou Brown. All of Coach Bill McCann's regulars are back at VIRGINIA, plus excellent reserves and at least one top-grade sophomore, Jay McKenzie. This would assure an improved record if the other teams in this conference weren't so tough. The tall, strong starters are Herb Busch, Bill Metzger, John Siewers, Paul Adkins and John Haner. Coach McCann, now in his second year, is also better prepared for the competition he faces. WAKE FOREST'S Coach Bones McKinney also has reasonable prospects for climbing in the standings, with five returning regulars, and 6-foot-8 sophomore Jerry Steele moving in at center. The veterans are high-scoring Dave Budd, Olin Broadway, Charlie Forte, George Ritchie and Twig Wiggins, plus reserves Bill Greene and Dick Odom. Transfer student Bill Cullen and sophomore Alley Hart add backcourt strength. This adds up to good speed and shooting and at least adequate size, and Bones will get the most out of it. DUKE'S fine team of a year ago was stripped of all starters and two top reserves by graduation, but the current crew, dominated by sophomores, has every asset but experience. It is a deeper squad, taller and possibly faster. The newcomers, on whom Coach Hal Bradley counts so heavily, include Doug Kistler, Fred Kast, Howard Hurt, Jay Beal, John Frye and Carroll Youngkin. Five veteran reserves are Gerry Robertson, Larry Bateman, George Barrett, Bill Watson and Marty Joyce. Much depends on how quickly the green players acquire the poise to go with their talent. Rebounding has been Coach Press Maravich's biggest problem for the past two years at CLEMSON, and the current squad does not appear able to solve it either. Otherwise, it is a sound team, featuring very good shooting and steadily improving ability on defense. George Krajack, Doug Hoffman and Walt Gibbons are strong veteran regulars up front, and the rest of the starters will come from among reserves Dutch Shample and Bill Warren, the two likeliest, and Jim Lewis, Don Carver and Frank Clarke, SOUTH CAROLINA'S rather dim prospects were hardly brightened when veteran Guard Dick Prater injured his ankle; he will be out of action for at least another month. The most serious weakness here is the lack of scoring punch and a close second is the lack of speed. Experience and size are abundantly present, however, in the persons of Mike Callahan, Walt Hudson and Ray Pericola, all veteran regulars, and reserves Larry Dial, Bob Frantz, Fred Lentz and Fred Luigs. Four sophomores, Bury Hudson, Ron Johnson, Dan Morgan and Everette Newman, probably will make the squad, and so will transfer student Mel Quick, who is expected to improve the back-court situation.

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RAY PERICOLA

South Carolina

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CHARLES McNEIL

Maryland

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Man to watch

LOU PUCILLO, N.C. STATE
Only 5 feet 9, he is one of the nation's best shooters, a great dribbler, fine playmaker and a slick ball handler.