I have a friend who loves trashy celebrity websites like TMZ and Perez Hilton. When I asked why Britney and Reggie Bush's girlfriend matter to her she said, "they don't, but I can't look away." I feel the exact same way about preseason college basketball rankings. They shouldn't matter -- they don't matter, but I can't get enough of 'em.

That's why I became one of "those guys" yesterday, sitting at Barnes and Noble, drinking coffee and reading a stack of magazines that I had no intention of buying. I compiled all the preseason ACC rankings from the five college basketball guides they had in an effort to bring some clarity to the meaningless. Those predictions, combined with three from other sources, make up The Dagger's consensus ACC preseason rankings.

The eight polls/rankings used were: the ACC preseason media poll, Rivals.com, Sporting News, ACC Basketball Handbook, Lindy's, Athlon, collegehoops.net and the consensus Vegas odds on teams winning the conference. As expected North Carolina was a unanimous #1. The teams are ranked by average predicted finish, which is also listed.

1) North Carolina - 1.00

2) Duke - 2.00

3) Miami - 3.625

4) Wake Forest - 3.75

5) Clemson - 5.125

6) Virginia Tech 5.5

7) Maryland - 8.125

8) Georgia Tech - 8.625

9) Florida State - 9.375

10) Boston College - 9.5

11) North Carolina State - 9.75

12) Virginia - 11.625

The press seems to think there will be four separate classes in the ACC this season. UNC and Duke at the top; Miami, Wake Forest, Clemson and Virginia Tech fighting in the middle; everyone else at the bottom and, finally, Virginia. (Dave Leitao, it might be time to update your resume.)

One of those bottom-rung teams will almost certainly make a run into the top-four of the conference (it happens every season) and one of the top-six will be near the bottom. Best bets: N.C. State to be better than expected, Miami to be worse.

Photo: Getty Images

Related: ACC Basketball, Conference Previews