(Image source: USA Today)

BY SAM KOROTKIN

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There’s -- almost -- no debate here.

The 2011 preseason USA Today coaches’ poll was released Thursday. The North Carolina Tar Heels are #1, as agreed upon by every coach that voted… except one. ESPN’s Eamonn Brennan suggests that was probably UNC coach Roy Williams.

“A lot of times last year we spent time making fun of the coaches poll -- a little bit silly here and there, maybe insinuating that the coaches weren’t taking their voting responsibilities seriously. But this poll -- there’s not a whole lot to contend with. The top four teams are about how you would expect them to shake out.”

North Carolina comes into the 2011-2012 season looking to defend its ACC regular season title, but will most certainly be looking to take the next step. Sports Illustrated’s Luke Winn says UNC has what it takes.

“There is a difference between these Tar Heels and the rest of the field… UNC has four experienced future pros in its starting lineup, and they all stayed in Chapel Hill to chase a national championship. I don’t see anyone stopping them.”

Last year’s preseason poll drew heavy criticism -- only 5 of the ten teams chosen finished in the top ten. CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish has looked it over and likes what he sees.

“A No. 1 vote for any other school would’ve been silly and an example of a voter being different just for the sake of being different, and I hate voters like that.”

So if UNC is number one, what does this mean for its rivalry with Duke? UNC and Duke have combined for four of the last ten national titles. And what do you know, Duke is right there at number six -- good enough for Yahoo Sports’ Derek Samson.

“Duke or North Carolina has won at least a share of the regular season ACC championship for eight consecutive seasons, and each team is gunning for the 2012 crown… The preseason ACC poll listed UNC-Duke as Nos. 1-2, with the Tar Heels picking up 57 of 59 first place votes.”

But do the preseason polls actually matter? The Kentucky Kernel took a look at the last 13 preseason polls, and here’s what they found.

“...the eventual national champion was ranked in the top 4 nine times. One instance of a ranking (No. 9 Duke two seasons ago) winning it all exists, and there’s three cases of a team that came from outside the Top 25 taking home a title."

You make the call.
 

Transcript by Newsy.