“The waiting is the hardest part.” – Tom Petty
College basketball is at a standstill.
The NCAA’s announcement that Aug. 3rd is the new early entry withdrawal date for the 2020 NBA Draft means that we’re going to have to wait five more weeks until we have full clarity for the 20-21 college basketball season.
Not to worry, between now and then we will break down one conference each week from soup to nuts.
This week we’ll feature the ACC.
The rankings below will be altered immediately if there’s any personnel changes.
Check below for a comprehensive list of power rankings, projected lineups, and much more:
1. Virginia
Projected Starting 5:
G Kihei Clark
G Casey Morsell
G Tomas Woldetensae
F Sam Hauser
C Jay Huff
Key Losses: Braxton Key, Mamadi Diakite
Key Newcomers: Sam Hauser (transfer), Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Reece Beekman, Carson McKorkle
Sit Out Transfers: Trey Murphy (Rice)
Projected Bench: Reece Beekman, Carson McKorkle, Kody Stattman, Francisco Caffaro, Chase Coleman, Justin McKoy, Kadin Shedrick, Jabri Abdur-Rahim
2020 NBA Draft Watch: Jay Huff (will go through NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: The addition of Hauser — a transfer from Marquette — will inject much needed offense to a team that only managed to average 57 points each time it took the floor last season.
2. Duke
Projected Starting 5:
G Jeremy Roach
G Wendell Moore
F Jalen Johnson
F Matthew Hurt
C Mark Williams
Key Losses: Vernon Carey, Tre Jones, Javin DeLaurier, Jack White, Cassius Stanley, Alex O’Connell
Sit Out Transfers: None
Key Newcomers: Jalen Johnson, Jeremy Roach, D.J. Steward, Jaemyn Brakefield, Mark Williams, Henry Coleman III, Patrick Tape (Columbia)
Projected Bench: Jordan Goldwire, D.J. Steward, Jaemyn Brakefield, Henry Coleman III, Joey Baker, Patrick Tape
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: The Blue Devils don’t return a double-figure scorer, but still have two proud veterans in Moore and Hurt along with a future star in the 6-8 Johnson.
3. Florida State
Projected Starting 5:
G Scottie Barnes
G M.J. Walker
F Anthony Polite
F Malik Osborne
C Balsa Koprivica
Key Losses: Trent Forrest, Dominik Olejniczak, Devin Vassell, Patrick Williams
Key Newcomers: Scottie Barnes, Sardaar Calhoun (JUCO), Quincy Ballard
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Sardaar Calhoun, Nathaniel Jack, RaiQuan Gray, Wyatt Wilkes, Rayquan Evans, Quincy Ballard
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Leonard Hamilton is quietly a combined 29-9 in ACC regular season games over the past two seasons. Expect the versatile Barnes to be among the best freshmen in the history of Florida State’s program.
4. North Carolina
Projected Starting 5:
G Caleb Love
G Anthony Harris
F Leaky Black
F Garrison Brooks
C Day’Ron Sharpe
Key Losses: Cole Anthony, Brandon Robinson
Key Newcomers: Caleb Love, Walker Kessler, Day’Ron Sharpe, R.J. Davis, Donovan Johnson, Kerwin Walton
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Armando Bacot, Walker Kessler, R.J. Davis, Donovan Johnson, Sterling Manley, Andrew Platek, K.J. Smith, Kerwin Walton
The Skinny: A top flight recruiting class should instantly elevate the overall talent base in Chapel Hill, but decision making and outside shooting are both still major questions. Expect the Tar Heels’ front court quartet of Brooks, Sharpe, Bacot, and Kessler to be absolutely lethal on the boards.
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
5. Miami
Projected Starting 5:
G Chris Lykes
G Kameron McGusty
G Isaiah Wong
F Earl Timberlake
C Nysier Brooks
Key Losses: Dejan Vasiljevic, Keith Stone
Key Newcomers: Earl Timberlake, Matt Cross, Nysier Brooks (Cincinnati)
Sit Out Transfers: Elijah Olaniyi (Stony Brook)
Projected Bench: Harlond Beverly, Matt Cross, Rodney Miller, Anthony Walker, Sam Waardenburg
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Veterans win in college basketball and Jim Larranaga has three starters — Lykes, McGusty, and Brooks — who will all be older than 22 when next season begins. Miami should return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
6. Louisville
Projected Starting 5:
G David Johnson
G Carlik Jones
G Charles Minlend Jr.
F Samuell Williamson
C Malik Williams
Key Losses: Jordan Nwora, Dwayne Sutton, Steven Enoch, Fresh Kimble, Ryan McMahon, Darius Perry
Key Newcomers: D’Andre Davis, J.J. Traynor, Jaelyn Withers (redshirt), Carlik Jones (Radford), Charles Minlend Jr. (San Francisco)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: D’Andre Davis, J.J. Traynor, Josh Nickelberry, Jaelyn Withers, Quinn Slazinski, Aidan Igiehon
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Chris Mack lost several key contributors from last season, but has two breakout potential breakout stars in Johnson and Williamson. The development of Louisville’s bench will be critical.
7. Georgia Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Jose Alvarado
G Mike Devoe
F Jordan Usher
F Khalid Moore
C Moses Wright
Key Losses: James Banks, Evan Cole
Key Newcomers: Saba Gigiberia, Jordan Meka, Tristan Maxwell
Sit Out Transfers: Kyle Sturdivant (USC), Rodney Howard (Georgia)
Projected Bench: Bubba Parham, Saba Gigiberia, Jordan Meka, Tristan Maxwell
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Josh Pastner returns college basketball’s most underrated perimeter and four starters from a 17-win team. Georgia Tech’s time is now.
8. Clemson
Projected Starting 5:
G Al Amir-Dawes
G Clyde Trapp
G John Newman
F Hunter Tyson
F Aamir Simms
Key Losses: Tevin Mack, Curran Scott
Key Newcomers: Nick Honor (Fordham), P.J. Hall, Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Nick Honor, P.J. Hall, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Chase Hunter, Khavon Moore, Jonathan Baehre, Alex Hemenway
The Skinny: Rock solid coach? Check. Rock solid perimeter? Check. All-ACC forward? Check. Clemson will challenge for an NCAA Tournament berth in 2021.
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
9. NC State
Projected Starting 5:
G Braxton Beverly
G Devon Daniels
G Thomas Allen
F Jerricole Hellems
C DJ Funderburk
Key Losses: Markell Johnson, C.J. Bryce
Key Newcomers: Thomas Allen (Nebraska), Cam Hayes, Shakeel Moore, Nick Farrar, Ebenezer Dowuona, Jaylon Gibson
Sit Out Transfers: DJ Funderburk
Projected Bench: Manny Bates, Cam Hayes, Shakeel Moore, Nick Farrar, Ebenezer Dowuona, Jaylon Gibson, Dereon Seaborn, A.J. Taylor
2020 NBA Draft Watch: DJ Funderburk (will go through NBA Draft process)
The Skinny: Five of Kevin Keatts’ top seven scorers return from last season. Expect Thomas Allen — a transfer from Nebraska — to be an immediate contributor thanks to his outside shooting.
10. Syracuse
G Joe Girard
G Buddy Boeheim
F Quincy Guerrier
F Marek Dolezaj
C Bourama Sidibe
Key Losses: Elijah Hughes, Jalen Carey, Bryce Goodine
Key Newcomers: Kadary Richmond, Woody Newton, Frank Anselem
Sit Out Transfers: Alan Griffin (Illinois)
Projected Bench: Jesse Edwards, John Bol Ajak, Kadary Richmond, Woody Newton, Frank Anselem, Robert Braswell
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Jim Boeheim boasts veteran experience, but the loss of Hughes’ offense on the wing is significant. Girard was quietly one of the best freshmen in the ACC last season.
11. Notre Dame
Projected Starting 5:
G Prentiss Hubb
G Cormac Ryan
G Dane Goodwin
F Nate Laszewski
C Juwan Durham
Key Losses: John Mooney, TJ Gibbs, Rex Pflueger
Key Newcomers: Cormac Ryan (Stanford), Elijah Taylor, Tony Sanders, Matt Zona
Sit Out Transfers: Trey Wertz (Santa Clara)
Projected Bench: Elijah Taylor, Tony Sanders, Matt Zona, Elijah Morgan, Nikola Djogo
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Notre Dame’s junior class of Hubb, Goodwin, and Laszewski will ultimately determine if the Irish have the goods to return to the NCAA Tournament picture in 2021.
12. Pitt
Projected Starting 5:
G Xavier Johnson
G Ithiel Horton
G Au’Diese Toney
G Justin Champagnie
C Terrell Brown
Key Losses: Trey McGowens, Ryan Murphy
Key Newcomers: John Hugley IV, William Jeffress, Noah Collier, Max Amadasun, Femi Odukale, Gerald Drumgoole Jr., Curtis Aiken, Ithiel Horton (Delaware)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: John Hugley IV, William Jeffress, Noah Collier, Max Amadasun, Femi Odukale, Abdoul Karim Coulibaly
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Jeff Capel augmented his front court depth with the additions of both Hugley and Jeffress, who were both four-star recruits by most recruiting services. The 6-6 Champagnie — who averaged 12.7 points and 7 rebounds last season as a freshman — should be an All-ACC player as a sophomore.
13. Boston College
Projected Starting 5:
G Makai Ashton-Langford
G Jay Heath
G Wynston Tabbs
G DeMarr Langford Jr.
F Steffon Mitchell
Key Losses: Derryck Thornton, Nik Popovic, Jairus Hamilton, Julian Rishwain
Key Newcomers: Makai Ashton-Langford (Providence), DerMarr Langford, Rich Kelly (Quinnipiac), Andre Adams (Southern Utah), Fred Scott (Rider), Justin Vander Baan, James Karnik (Lehigh)
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: CJ Felder, Rich Kelly, Andre Adams, Fred Scott, James Karnik, Justin Vander Baan, Kamari Williams, Luka Kraljevic
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: If Boston College is healthy — which has been a big if under Jim Christian — its perimeter should be able to keep things competitive with the majority of teams it faces in the ACC.
14. Virginia Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Wabisse Bede
G Tyrece Radford
G Cartier Diarra
F Cordell Pemsl
C Keve Aluma
Key Losses: Landers Nolley, PJ Horne, Isaiah Wilkins
Key Newcomers: Joe Bamisile, Darius Maddox, Keve Aluma (Wofford), Cordell Pemsl (Iowa), Cartier Diarra (Kansas State), David N’Guessan
Sit Out Transfers: None
Projected Bench: Nahiem Alleyne, Jalen Cone, Hunter Cattoor, Joe Bamisile, Darius Maddox, David N’Guessan
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Mike Young’s second ACC season will feature a much more traditional alignment than his first.
15. Wake Forest
Projected Starting 5:
G Jahcobi Neath
G Ian DuBose
G Jalen Johnson
F Isaiah Mucius
F Ismael Massoud
Key Losses: Olivier Sarr, Chaundree Brown, Brandon Childress, Andrien White
Key Newcomers: Jonah Antonio (UNLV), Jalen Johnson (Tennessee), Ian Dubose (Houston Baptist), Quadry Adams
Sit Out Transfers: Isaiah Wilkins (Virginia Tech), Daivien Williamson (East Tennessee State)
Projected Bench: Jonah Antonio, Quadry Adams, Tariq Ingraham, Ody Oguama, Sunday Okeke
2020 NBA Draft Watch: None
The Skinny: Year One under Steve Forbes will require plenty of patience with the 6-8 Mucius serving as an essential building block.
