Chip Bremer
With the college hoops season upon us, it’s good to know where the ACC stands in terms of expectations for the 2026-27 season. Sure, we’ve already assessed what the lineups look like after some interesting offseason acquisitions and personnel movements, but lately we’ve seen practices and exhibitions that give us an idea of how good these teams are.
Here are the ACC projections for the upcoming season:
1. Duke. Nothing has changed, the Blue Devils still have more talent on their bench than most teams have in their starting lineup. Everyone knows the returners (Dame Sarr, Patrick Ngongba, Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster), but it’s the newcomers that really put Duke over the top. Freshman Joaquim Boumtje-Boumtje is no Cam Boozer or Cooper Flagg, but he is the real deal, and he will be the Devils’ top option for the next two years (since he’s only 17). Oh, they also have top transfer shooter John Blackwell and a super-talented freshman class. What else is new?
2. Louisville. The surprising thing here is how much closer Louisville is to matching the Blue Devils. They’re not quite at the same level of depth, but the talent is undeniable with all the expensive offseason acquisitions, including the portal’s top center in Flory Bidunga and best point guard in Jackson Shelstad. Returning guard Adrian Wooley will certainly have a breakout year but watch out for freshman center Obinna Ekezie Jr. The matchup of Bidunga/Ekezie vs. Duke’s Ngongba/Boumtje-Boumtje will be the best heavyweight battle of the season.
3. Virginia. With all the offseason additions at other ACC programs, the Cavaliers are still in a solid place with their returning nucleus of Thijs de Ridder, Johann Grunloh Sam Lewis and Chance Mallory. The 6/9 de Ridder is possibly the most skilled player in the league and is certain to get consideration for ACC POY, while Mallory may be the league’s toughest guard under 6/0. The additions of transfers Christian Harmon and Jurian Dixon should boost the perimeter scoring, but this team will again make its biggest impact on the defensive end.
4. Miami. The Hurricanes invested well with their portal additions, especially point guard Acaden Lewis from Villanova, who should be one of the ACC’s top floor leaders, and center Somto Cyril from Georgia, who should lead the conference in blocked shots. They perfectly complement emerging wing Shelton Henderson and blue-chip forward Caleb Gaskins, as well as returning leading scorer Malik Reneau. The only concern with Jai Lewis’ crew is the lack of on-the-ball defense, which may keep them from reaching the Duke/Louisville tier.
5. UNC. Right behind the Canes, the Tar Heels have enough offensive talent to challenge the ACC’s best, with the transfer trio of Terrence Brown (Utah), Neo Avdalas (Virginia Tech) and Matt Able (NC State) filling up the stat sheet. Freshman Maximo Adams looks like an impressive sixth man who can do just about everything, and forward Jarin Stevenson appears primed for a breakout role. Like Miami, however, the Heels’ concern will be the lack of intensity on the defensive side. European centers Sayon Keita and Alex Samodurov are capable of manning the post, but both are still relatively raw and will take time to develop.
6. Virginia Tech. The Hokies have the second-most returning production among ACC teams (right behind their rivals in Charlottesville), with Ben Hammond, Amani Hansberry and Tyler Johnson running it back. Oklahoma State transfer Jaylen Curry will emerge as a breakout star in the Tech backcourt, but center Miles Heide will need to step up in a big way if the Hokies are going to keep pace with the rest of the conference. Regardless, Mike Young has this program moving in the right direction.
7. Clemson. Once again, Brad Brownell has pieced together a squad that doesn’t blow your socks off but is solid enough to take down virtually any opponent. Returning guard Ace Buckner has emerged as the Tigers’ go-to guy with shooters like Cole Certa (Notre Dame transfer) and Liutauras Lelevicius (TCU transfer) to support him. The key, however, is the frontcourt tandem of David Fuchs and Dylan Faulkner, who play almost synchronous offensive and defensive styles, and can hold their own against top-level competition. If Brownell can develop a bench, the Tigers could be dangerous in March.
8. NC State. The Wolfpack begins the Justin Gainey era with a dynamic lineup of interchangeable pieces in point Preston Edmead (Hofstra), combo guard Christian Hammond (Santa Clara), and wing Dariua Adams (Maryland) mixing in with returning sharpshooter Paul McNeil. This group can play stifling defense when it wants to (a Gainey staple) and can also light up the scoreboard when it needs to. The return of fifth-year forward Ven-Allen Lubin is a significant boost to the frontcourt, but the team’s one weak spot will be finding a center who can match up with the ACC’s dominant post players.
9. Florida State. Luke Loucks also has a makeshift roster designed specifically for what he wants—up-tempo offense. Point guard Anthony Robinson is proving to be a masterful floor general, and has several options at his disposal, including Cincinnati transfer Shon Abaev and Colorado transfer Sebastian Rancik. Watch out for freshman center Marcus Ponder—there’s a reason big men were at a premium in the transfer portal, and FSU got a bargain with this one. Defense is still a concern though if they’re going to challenge for an upper tier spot.
10. Syracuse. Orange fans got what they wanted by hiring Gerry McNamara to head the program, and his influence has already paid dividends. Retaining key returnees Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony was critical, but the real steal may be the addition of guard Gavin Doty, who followed McNamara from Sienna. The 6/5 guard can do it all, and he will be the key to determining just how far the Cuse can move up the conference ladder.
11. SMU. The Mustangs don’t quite have an identity just yet, but they have some talent in the right places. Center Jaden Toombs will be a focal point this season, but Polish freshman Jakub Szumert appears to be the perfect complement with his overall ball skills. As long as Andy Enfield can get solid production from transfers Rowan Brumbaugh (Tulane) and Oziyah Sellers (St. John’s) along with holdover Jermaine O’Neal Jr., the Mustangs should be right in the thick of things.
12. Boston College. Yes, the Eagles have landed—and they have former UConn assistant Luke Murray to thank. The new head coach has plenty of new pieces to work with, including the appropriately named Montana transfer Money Williams, who should lead the team in most statistical categories. Transfers Ernest Shelton (Merrimack) and Luke Hunger (George Washington) should provide some decent support but watch out for Slovenian freshman Zak Smrekar who is talented enough to garner some NBA attention.
13. Pittsburgh. The Panthers aren’t quite where they want to be from a talent perspective, but Jeff Capel was able to pull together an adequate lineup to compete with in the ACC. After all, who better to lead the team than former Syracuse and Georgia Tech point guard Nait George? When paired with former GT teammate Baye Ndongo, UNC transfer Jonathan Powell, and superstar freshman Chase Foster, there’s no telling how far this team can go.
14. Wake Forest. Early reports of the Demon Deacons’ demise were greatly exaggerated. Steve Forbes is still an excellent coach, and he knows how to get the most of his players, especially Merrimack transfer Kevair Kennedy and Monmouth transfer Justin Ray. Those two will combine nicely with the Placide twins (Gavin and Gallagher) to bring Wake back into the mix eventually.
15. Stanford. The Cardinal have a solid frontcourt nucleus of Yale transfer Nick Townsend and returning center Aidan Cammann, but the focus will be on a pair of freshmen— guard Julius Price and forward Aziz Olajuwon. It’s not the most intimidating lineup, but it should provide enough to entertain Stanford fans and give them hope for the future.
16. Notre Dame. Coach Micah Shrewsberry was able to get some decent support out of the transfer portal so his son Braeden doesn’t have to shoulder the load. Braeden Smith (Gonzaga) and Logan Duncomb (Winthrop/Indiana) should both contribute regularly, and returning forward Brady Koehler may have himself a breakout campaign if the stars align.
17. California. We still don’t know what to expect from the Cal Bears, but Georgia transfers Jordan Ross and Jake Wilkins will certainly play a big part of the upcoming season. Center Sammie Yeanay should have a solid campaign, but can he do enough to support Lee Dort when he returns from injury? He’ll have to if the Bears want to avoid the ACC basement.
18. Georgia Tech. That brings us to the Yellowjackets, who have a solid new coach in Scott Cross, but will have to suffer through some growing pains with transfers Colby Garland (San Jose State) and Jackson Fields (West Virginia) supporting returnees Kam Craft and Cole Kirouac. It’s not ideal, but you have to start somewhere.