PHOTO: LOUISVILLE COURIER JOURNAL
Chip Bremer
With the new college hoops season upon us, there is a sense of renewed optimism throughout the ACC, with some new head coaches and a bevy of exciting new talent around the conference. Expectations are highest around the Triangle, as Duke, UNC and NC State are all projected to finish atop the conference right behind Louisville. Here’s a look at the ACC teams in predicted order of finish:
1. Louisville.
In two years, Pat Kelsey has turned the Cardinals from a basement-dweller into one of the nation’s elite programs. One reason the team will take the next step this season is the addition of freshman lead guard Mikel Brown, who has been nothing short of spectacular in the early going. When he isn’t scoring, Brown will be distributing the rock to any number of weapons along the perimeter, including Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely and Xavier transfer Ryan Cornwell, who could end up leading the ACC in scoring. The frontcourt also returns plenty of talent in J’Vonne Hadley, Kasean Pryor, and Khani Rooths, so don’t expect to find many weaknesses here.
2. Duke.
If any freshman is going to match Mikel Brown for impact, it will be the Blue Devils’ Cameron Boozer. The powerful forward was dominant in exhibition games, and with the talent around him, he’ll have every opportunity to carry Duke to another deep postseason run. Wing Isaiah Evans has transformed himself into a dynamic scorer as well as reliable defender, and the versatility of the frontcourt options will be on full display every game. If Jon Scheyer can find some consistency at the point between returnee Caleb Foster and Cameron’s twin brother, Cayden Boozer, the Devils will once again be one of the ACC’s best.
3. NC State.
There’s plenty of buzz in Raleigh around new coach Will Wade and his infusion of talent from the transfer portal, including preseason conference player of the year and former Texas Tech star Darrion Williams. While the rugged forward will be the focal point of the offense, the strength of the Pack will be its depth, as it goes at least 10 deep with multiple shooters, including returnee Paul McNeil and freshman Matt Able. The defense also will be stout, led by guards Tre Holloman and Qadir Copeland, as long as their frontcourt can keep pace with opponents.
4. UNC.
The Tar Heels will rebound nicely this season behind a revamped front line featuring dynamic freshman Caleb Wilson as well as transfers Henri Veesaar (Arizona) and Jarin Stevenson (Alabama). While Wilson will be the focal point of the offense for most of the year – and challenge for freshman of the year honors–the success of the team will hinge on the perimeter shooting where European import Luka Bogavac can fill it up with ease. In the backcourt, Seth Trimble will continue to bring intensity, while Colorado State transfer Kyan Evans hopes to solidify the rotation at point guard.
5. SMU.
If there’s one team people aren’t talking enough about, it’s the Mustangs. Andy Enfield returns a wealth of talent with point Boopie Miller and defensive stalwart B.J. Edwards filling out the backcourt, and several interesting scoring options on the wing, including transfers Jaron Pierre and Sam Walter. Enfield has the Mustangs running at an even more aggressive style of play, and the frontcourt will be bolstered with the addition of athletic center Jaden Toombs.
6. Virginia.
Perhaps the most dangerous team in the ACC, the Cavaliers feature a pair of talented European imports in smooth forward Thijs De Ridder and big man Johann Grunloh. Those two bring a great deal of movement and scoring to the Wahoo lineup, even with the backcourt transfer additions of Dallin Hall (BYU) and Malik Thomas (San Francisco) who are playmakers in their own right. New coach Ryan Odom has this team playing at a faster pace and making heads turn.
7. Syracuse.
For pure athletic ability, it’s tough to match the Orange this season with do-everything transfer point Nait George (via Georgia Tech) leading an exciting lineup of returning leading scorers J.J. Starling and Donnie Freeman and electric freshmen Kiyan Anthony and Sadiq White. Transfers William Kyle and Nate Kingz will also add quality depth, as Adrian Autry looks to boost this program to a level not seen since the Carmelo Anthony era.
8. Clemson.
The longest tenured coach in the ACC, Brad Brownell may be in the position to have his most surprising team yet. Having to replace nearly the entire roster from a year ago, save returnee Dillon Hunter, Brownell hit the transfer portal to beef up the front line with Nick Davidson (Nevada), R.J. Godfrey (Georgia), Carter Welling (UC Irvine), and Jake Wahlin (Utah), and added talented freshmen in Ace Buckner, Zac Foster, and Chase Thompson. They’re not flashy, but they may be the most fundamentally sound team in the ACC.
9. Notre Dame.
The Irish could be on the verge of a breakout season with a returning backcourt of Markus Burton, Braeden Shrewsberry and Sir Mohammed filling up the stat sheet on a nightly basis. Northern Arizona transfer Carson Towt has already demonstrated he will be a force on the glass, but the key will be the addition of freshman Jalen Haralson to the frontcourt rotation. The McDonald’s All-American has the all-around game that can transform this team into a national contender but he may need time to develop.
10. Miami.
Another team with vast potential, the Hurricanes welcome an entirely new lineup of gifted transfers that includes point Tre Donaldson (Michigan), shooter Tru Washington (New Mexico) and versatile forward Malik Reneau (Indiana). The one factor that will make or break the Canes’ season is the development of freshman sensation Shelton Henderson, who has an NBA physique and an underdog mentality. If new coach Jai Lucas can get this team to play solid defense, they may be a fixture in the postseason.
11. Wake Forest.
The Deacons will be in the mix with a pair of high-energy forwards in returnee Tre’Von Spillers and Washington transfer Mekhi Mason, both of whom are aggressive around the rim. The backcourt is also solid with Washington State transfer Nate Calamese and explosive point Juke Harris, who may be one of the most improved guards in the conference. The only question is whether Steve Forbes can find enough depth behind his starters.
12. California.
Mark Madsen managed to make some good use of the transfer portal with several impact additions, including forwards Chris Bell (Syracuse) and John Camden (Delaware), who can both score from deep. Virginia transfer Dai Dai Ames appears to have a lock on the point, while former Vanderbilt big man Lee Dort will anchor the post. The Bears have been overlooked because of the roster turnover, but Madsen has them in a good position to surprise some teams this year.
13. Virginia Tech.
Mike Young pulled off some solid additions by bringing in highly-skilled forwards like Neo Avdalas, Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry–all of whom will upgrade the Hokies’ frontcourt. UNLV transfer Jalen Bedford will add some scoring punch at shooting guard, but the key will be whether Young can find a leader at the point between sophomore Tyler Johnson and Delaware transfer Izaiah Pasha.
14. Florida State.
If you’re looking for a high-octane offense, that’s exactly what new coach Luke Loucks is implementing in Tallahassee. Loucks brought in a host of experienced scorers from the portal including Robert McCray (Jacksonville), Lajae Jones (St. Bonaventure) and Kobe MaGee (Drexel), as well as former UMass Lowell star Martin Somerville to run the point. This team will be fun to watch, and if they can keep turnovers to a minimum, they might surprise some folks.
15. Georgia Tech.
Damon Stoudamire’s program has had its ups and downs during his tenure, and this season will again be a mixed bag. The strength of the team is down low where highly-ranked center Mo Sylia joins shot-blocker Baye Ndongo to form a dominant defensive force, Wing Kowacie Reeves will provide the scoring and Jaeden Mustaf will handle the point, but the options beyond those two are sketchy, and the Yellow Jackets will need to find depth when fouls are an issue.
16. Stanford.
Early returns on Kyle Smith’s Cardinal squad were better than expected, with returnees Ryan Agarwal and Chisom Okpara taking a step up from their roles a year ago. Freshman point guard Ebuka Okorie could be one of the biggest surprises of the year if he can limit his turnovers. This team is also deeper than originally projected but will need to work hard to stay out of the ACC lower level.
17. Pittsburgh.
The Panthers’ outlook on the season took a slight detour when star frontcourt addition Dishon Jackson from Iowa State suffered a potential season-ending injury. Now Jason Capel will have to adjust the lineup to focus more on the output of returning big man Cam Corhen. Brandin Cummings will still run the perimeter attack with some help from Oregon State transfer Damarco Minor, but the Panthers really will need to pull together to make something of this season.
18. Boston College.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. That could be the motto for the Eagles’ upcoming season. Lead guard Donald Hand is still running the show offensively, but portal additions Chase Forte (South Dakota), Aidan Shaw (Missouri) and Jason Asemota (Baylor) will need to step up to take some pressure off the junior guard. Otherwise, it will be more of the same for Earl Grant.