CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Maryland basketball head coach Mark Turgeon, senior forward James Padgett and sophomore guard Nick Faust represented the Terps at ACC Media Day on Wednesday.

Turgeon spent the morning visiting and conducting interviews at the ESPNU studios in Charlotte, N.C., while the players did interviews with local, regional and national media at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.

In the afternoon, the players toured ESPNU while Turgeon conducted interviews at the Ritz.

Maryland, which was picked to finish sixth in the conference by the media, opens the season Nov. 9 vs. No. 3 Kentucky in Brooklyn, N.Y.

"It's a great opportunity for our program to be on a national stage," said Turgeon. "It's great for the kids to play in that type of atmosphere against an outstanding program."

Padgett and Faust are Maryland's lone returning starters, though the Terps also welcome back a pair of players with starting experience in Alex Len and Pe'Shon Howard. Both Padgett and Faust spoke highly of their teammates at Media Day.

"Alex understands more, has more experience and is confident in his ability to compete at a high level," said Padgett.

"Pe'Shon is making the right play now," said Faust. "He took advantage of his time out and he's seeing the court better."

The Terps also welcome in a recruiting class that was a consensus top-20 group.

"I think we're a more diverse team this year," said Faust. "We have a lot of young guys who can fill up the basket."

Fans have a chance to get a glimpse of the Terrapins on Saturday, when they host an open scrimmage at 1:30 p.m. at Comcast Center.

Follow @TerrapinHoops on Twitter for updates on Maryland basketball.

2012-13 ACC Predicted Order of Finish
As voted on by media in attendance (# of votes in parentheses)

1. NC State (601)
2. Duke (589)
3. North Carolina (520)
4. Florida State (484)
5. Miami (436)
6. Maryland (341)
7. Virginia (287)
8. Clemson (277)
9. Georgia Tech (189)
10. Virginia Tech (169)
11. Wake Forest (151)
12. Boston College (90)