Pitt picked to finish sixth in the ACC

ACC media day was held yesterday in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. This is Pitt's inaugural season in the new league, and they were represented by Jamie Dixon, and seniors Talib Zanna and Lamar Patterson. The league's projected finish and preseason accolades were announced, and here is how everything falls into place.

The preseason ACC favorite came as no surprise as the Duke Blue Devils earned the top spot with 50 of the 54 first place votes. They were followed by newcomer Syracuse, and traditional ACC power North Carolina. Virginia came in at 4th, and another ex Big East team, Notre Dame rounded out the top five. Pitt comes in just below that top tier, as they are picked to finish sixth in the league.

The All ACC team and the preseason awards did not feature anyone from Pitt. Syracuse's C.J. Fair earned preseason player of the year, and super recruit Jabari Parker from Duke was named top newcomer. Both players were on the all ACC team along with Duke's Rodney Hood, Virginia's Joe Harris, and Notre Dame's Jerian Grant.

Pitt returns three starters from last season's 24 win team in Lamar Patterson, Talib Zanna, and James Robinson. Pitt also returns key bench players like Durand Johnson and Cam Wright. Jamie Dixon will welcome a heralded freshman class into the mix highlighted by Mike Young and Josh Newkirk.

Pitt's conference schedule features three home games against ACC preseason top five competition as Duke, Virginia, and Syracuse will all come to the Petersen Events Center this year. The Panthers will open the 2013-14 season on Friday November 8 against Savannah State.