Summer time means a look ahead to next season!
Each week moving forward, we will preview one conference in college basketball from soup to nuts.
Check below for this week’s breakdown on the ACC.
ACC Preseason Power Rankings
1. North Carolina
Projected Starting 5:
G R.J. Davis
G Caleb Love
G Leaky Black
F Pete Nance
C Armando Bacot
Projected Bench: D’Marco Dunn, Dontrez Styles, Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington, Tyler Nickel, Justin McKoy, Puff Johnson
Key Losses: Brady Manek, Dawson Garcia, Anthony Harris, Kerwin Walton
Key Newcomers: Seth Trimble, Jalen Washington, Tyler Nickel, Will Shaver, Pete Nance (Northwestern)
2. Duke
Projected Starting 5:
G Jeremy Roach
G Dariq Whitehead
G Jacob Grandison
F Kyle Filipowski
C Dereck Liveley
Projected Bench: Jaden Schutt, Christian Reeves, Jaylen Blakes, Kale Catchings, Ryan Young, Mark Mitchell, Tyrese Proctor
Key Losses: Theo John, Paolo Banchero, Mark Williams, Trevor Keels, Wendell Moore, A.J. Griffin, Joey Baker
Key Newcomers: Dereck Liveley, Dariq Whitehead, Kyle Filipowski, Jaden Schutt, Mark Mitchell, Christian Reeves, Kale Catchings (Harvard), Ryan Young (Northwestern), Tyrese Proctor, Jacob Grandison (Illinois)
3. Virginia
Projected Starting 5:
G Kihei Clark
G Reece Beekman
G Armaan Franklin
F Jayden Gardner
C Kadin Shedrick
Projected Bench: Francisco Caffaro, Isaac McNeely, Leon Bond, Ryan Dunn, Isaac Traudt, Taine Murray, Ben Vander Plas
Key Losses: Igor Milicic
Key Newcomers: Isaac Traudt, Isaac McNeely, Leon Bond, Ryan Dunn, Ben Vander Plas (Ohio)
4. Florida State
Projected Starting 5:
G Jalen Warley
G Caleb Mills
G Matthew Cleveland
F Baba Miller
C Naheem McLeod
Projected Bench: Cam Fletcher, Cameron Corhen, Chandler Jackson, De’Ante Green, Tom House, Jeremiah Bembry, Alaaeddine Boutayeb, Jaylen Gainey, Darin Green
Key Losses: Wyatt Wilkes, Malik Osborne, Anthony Polite, RayQuan Evans, Tanor Ngom, John Butler
Key Newcomers: Cameron Corhen, Chandler Jackson, De’Ante Green, Tom House, Jeremiah Bembry, Alaaeddine Boutayeb, Jaylen Gainey (Brown), Darin Green Jr. (UCF), Baba Miller
5. Miami
Projected Starting 5:
G Nijel Pack
G Isaiah Wong
G Jordan Miller
F Norchad Omier
C Anthony Walker
Projected Bench: Wooga Poplar, Bensley Joseph, Harlond Beverly, AJ Casey, Favour Aire, Christian Watson, Danilo Jovanovich
Key Losses: Charlie Moore, Kameron McGusty, Sam Waardenburg, Deng Gak, Rodney Miller Jr.
Key Newcomers: Nijel Pack (Kansas State), Norchad Omier (Arkansas State), AJ Casey, Favour Aire, Christian Watson, Danilo Jovanovich
6. Notre Dame
Projected Starting 5:
G JJ Starling
G Marcus Hammond
G Cormac Ryan
G Dane Goodwin
F Nate Laszewski
Projected Bench: Ven-Allen Lubin, Dom Campbell, Trey Wertz, J.R. Konieczny, Alex Wade, Elijah Morgan, Matt Zona
Key Losses: Prentiss Hubb, Paul Atkinson, Blake Wesley
Key Newcomers: JJ Starling, Ven-Allen Lubin, Dom Campbell, Marcus Hammond (Niagara)
7. Virginia Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Sean Pedulla
G Hunter Cattoor
G Darius Maddox
F Justyn Mutts
C Grant Basile
Projected Bench: Rodney Rice, Patrick Wessler, MJ Collins, Darren Buchanan, Mylyjael Poteat, John Camden,
Key Losses: Keve Aluma, Nahiem Alleyne, Storm Murphy, John Ojiako, David N’Guessan, Jalen Haynes
Key Newcomers: Rodney Rice, Patrick Wessler, MJ Collins, Grant Basile (Wright State), Darren Buchanan, Mylyjael Poteat (Rice), John Camden (Memphis)
8. Syracuse
Projected Starting 5:
G Judah Mintz
G Joe Girard
G Symir Torrence
F Benny Williams
C Jesse Edwards
Projected Bench: John Bol Ajak, Justin Taylor, Quadir Copeland, Chris Bunch, Maliq Brown, Peter Carey, Mounir Hima
Key Losses: Buddy Boeheim, Cole Swider, Jimmy Boeheim, Bourama Sidibe, Frank Anselem
Key Newcomers: Judah Mintz, Justin Taylor, Quadir Copeland, Chris Bunch, Maliq Brown, Peter Carey, Mounir Hima (Duquesne)
9. Clemson
Projected Starting 5:
G Chase Hunter
G Brevin Galloway
G Alex Hemenway
F Hunter Tyson
C PJ Hall (injured)
Projected Bench: Dillon Hunter, R.J. Godfrey, Chauncey Wiggins, Chauncey Gibson, Ian Schieffelin, Ben Middlebrooks, Josh Beadle
Key Losses: Al-Amir Dawes, David Collins, Nick Honor, Naz Bohannon
Key Newcomers: Dillon Hunter, R.J. Godfrey, Chauncey Wiggins, Chauncey Gibson, Brevin Galloway (Boston College), Josh Beadle
10. Pitt
Projected Starting 5:
G Nelly Cummings
G Dior Johnson
G Jamarius Burton
G Blake Hinson
F John Hugley
Projected Bench: Nike Sibande, Greg Elliott, Nelly Cummings, Cashius McNeilly, Fede Federiko, Jorge Diaz Graham, Guillermo Diaz Graham, William Jeffress, Nate Santos
Key Losses: Femi Odukale, Mouhamadou Gueye, Ithiel Horton, Daniel Oladapo,
Key Newcomers: Dior Johnson, Greg Elliott (Marquette), Nelly Cummings (Colgate), Blake Hinson (Iowa State), Cashius McNeilly (JUCO), Fede Federiko (JUCO), Jorge Diaz Graham, Guillermo Diaz Graham
11. Boston College
Projected Starting 5:
G Makai Ashton-Langord
G Jaeden Zackery
G DeMarr Langford
F Prince Aligbe
C Quinten Post
Projected Bench: T.J. Bickerstaff, Donald Hand Jr., Chas Kelley, Armani Mighty, Mason Madsen, CJ Penha Jr., Devin McGlockton
Key Losses: James Karnik, Brevin Galloway, Kanye Jones, Gianni Thompson, Justin Vander Baan
Key Newcomers: Prince Aligbe, Donald Hand Jr., Chas Kelley, Armani Mighty, Mason Madsen (Cincinnati), CJ Penha Jr. (D2), Devin McGlockton (redshirt)
12. NC State
Projected Starting 5:
G Jarkel Joiner
G Casey Morsell
G Terquavion Smith
F Jack Clark
C D.J. Burns
Projected Bench: Greg Gantt, Breon Pass, Ernest Ross, Ebenezer Dowuona, LJ Thomas, Dusan Mahorcic,
Key Losses: Dereon Seabron, Cam Hayes, Jerricole Hellems, Thomas Allen, Jaylon Gibson, Manny Bates
Key Newcomers: LJ Thomas, D.J. Burns (Winthrop), Jack Clark (La Salle), Jarkel Joiner (Ole Miss), Dusan Mahorcic (Utah)
13. Wake Forest
Projected Starting 5:
G Tyree Appleby
G Daivien Williamson
G Damari Monsanto
F Andrew Carr
C Matthew Marsh
Projected Bench: Zach Keller, Bobi Klintman, Jao Ituka, Cameron Hildreth, Davion Bradford, Robert McCray, Lucas Taylor
Key Losses: Alondes Williams, Jake LaRavia, Isaiah Mucius, Dallas Walton, Khadim Sy, Carter Whitt
Key Newcomers: Zach Keller, Bobi Klintman, Jao Ituka (Marist), Tyree Appleby (Florida), Andrew Carr (Delaware), Davion Bradford (Kansas State)
14. Louisville
Projected Starting 5:
G El Ellis
G Kamari Lands
F Jae’Lyn Withers
F Brandon Huntley-Hatfield
C Sydney Curry
Projected Bench: Devin Ree, Mike James, JJ Traynor, Roosevelt Wheeler
Key Losses: Noah Locke, Malik Williams, Dre Davis, Jarrod West, Matt Cross, Samuell Williamson, Mason Faulkner
Key Newcomers: Kamari Lands, Devin Ree, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Tennessee)
15. Georgia Tech
Projected Starting 5:
G Deivon Smith
G Kyle Sturdivant
G Dallan Coleman
F Ja’Von Franklin
C Rodney Howard
Projected Bench: Lance Terry, Tristan Maxwell, Miles Kelly, Jalon Moore, Jordan Meka
Key Losses: Michael Devoe, Jordan Usher, Khalid Moore, Saba Gigiberia, Bubba Parham
Key Newcomers: Lance Terry (Gardner Webb), Javon Franklin (South Alabama)
Preseason All-ACC First-Team
Terquavion Smith, NC State
Isaiah Wong, Miami
Caleb Love, North Carolina
Dereck Lively, Duke
Armando Bacot, North Carolina
ACC Preseason Player of the Year
Armando Bacot, North Carolina
ACC Preseason Sleeper
Boston College
15 Impact ACC Freshmen
*In no particular order
Dereck Lively, Duke
Dariq Whitehead, Duke
Kyle Filipowki, Duke
Mark Mitchell, Duke
Tyrese Proctor, Duke
Jaden Schutt, Duke
JJ Starling, Notre Dame
Seth Trimble, North Carolina
Jalen Washington, North Carolina
Judah Mintz, Syracuse
Dior Johnson, Pitt
Isaac Traudt, Virginia
Rodney Rice, Virginia Tech
Kamari Lands, Louisville
Chandler Jackson, Florida State
10 Under-The-Radar ACC Freshmen
*In no particular order
AJ Casey, Miami
Favour Aire, Miami
Ven-Allen Lubin, Notre Dame
Leon Bond, Virginia
Tyler Nickel, North Carolina
Cameron Corhen, Florida State
De’Ante Green, Florida State
Devin Ree, Louisville
Chris Bunch, Syracuse
Prince Aligbe, Boston College
10 Impact ACC Transfers
*In no particular order
Pete Nance, North Carolina (Northwestern)
Jacob Grandison, Duke (lllinois)
Ben Vander Plas, Virginia (Ohio)
Darin Green, Florida State (UCF)
Nijel Pack, Miami (Kansas State)
Norchad Omier, Miami (Arkansas State)
Grant Basile, Virginia Tech (Wright State)
Tyree Appleby, Wake Forest (Florida)
Jarkel Joiner, NC State (Ole Miss)
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Louisville (Tennessee)
10 Under-The-Radar ACC Transfers
*In no particular order
Ryan Young, Duke (Northwestern)
Jaylen Gainey, Florida State (Brown)
Marcus Hammond, Notre Dame (Niagara)
Greg Elliott, Pitt (Marquette)
Blake Hinson, Pitt (Iowa State)
Nelly Cummings, Pitt (Colgate)
Jao Ituka, Wake Forest (Marist)
D.J. Burns, NC State (Winthrop)
Jack Clark, NC State (La Salle)
Javon Franklin, Georgia Tech (South Alabama)
10 ACC Breakout Players
*In no particular order
*A player is not eligible to be a breakout player if he’s previously averaged in double figures
Jeremy Roach, Duke
Puff Johnson, North Carolina
Reece Beekman, Virginia
Kadin Shedrick, Virginia
Jalen Warley, Florida State
Darius Maddox, Virginia Tech
Benny Williams, Syracuse
El Ellis, Louisville
Dallan Coleman, Georgia Tech
Deivon Smith, Georgia Tech
Leftovers
- Boston College, UMass to meet on Dec. 10th in Springfield
- Nebraska, Oklahoma to meet on November 15th at Sanford Pentagon
- CBS Sports Podcast (5/5) — VCU’s Phil Martelli Jr.
- UConn/Florida, BYU/Clemson to headline 2025 Jimmy V Classic at MSG
- Arizona, Florida finalizing agreement to headline opening night doubleheader in Las Vegas alongside BYU/Villanova
