Chip Bremer
Now that the ACC has a full slate of 18 teams, it will be interesting to see how the field plays out this season. Of course, Duke looks like the frontrunner, and UNC just a step behind, but everything else appears up for grabs. So, to make sense of it all, here’s a look at the 2024-25 ACC teams in projected order of finish:
1. Duke
The Blue Devils remain the favorite, but it’s not just because of national sensation Cooper Flagg. It’s the pieces Jon Scheyer put around Flagg, whether it’s three-point specialist Kon Knuepple, or developing center Khaman Maluach, or the reliable backcourt of Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster, or the experienced transfers like Mason Gillis (Purdue) or Maliq Brown (Syracuse). It’s a roster that has all the right stuff to achieve the postseason goals of which Duke teams often fall short in recent seasons.
2. UNC
As long as all-everything guard R.J. Davis is on the floor, the Heels can beat just about anyone. But Davis alone won’t bring a title to Chapel Hill, which is why the emergence of guards Elliott Cadeau and Seth Trimble as offensive threats is critical. When freshmen Ian Jackson and Drake Powel get going, the Heels should be a juggernaut. Defensively, they’ll definitely miss Armando Bacot’s presence in the middle, but at least Jae’Lyn Withers can haul in the rebounds.
3. Wake Forest
Just as Carolina will lean heavily on R.J. Davis, the Demon Deacons will rely on Hunter Salis to carry the offensive load this season, and while he isn’t quite on Davis’ level, he’s very effective, especially with other capable playmakers around him like Cameron Hildreth, Ty-Laur Johnson and Parker Friedrichsen. The Deacs’ strength will be on the defensive end, where Efton Reid, Iowa State transfer Omaha Biliew and App State transfer Tre’Von Spillers are all accomplished shot-blockers and aggressive frontcourt ballhawks.
4. Clemson
Brad Brownell once again has put together one of the most fundamentally sound and balanced teams in the ACC. Chase Hunter may be the conference’s most underrated guard, and now that he’s surrounded by other capable playmakers like Myles Foster (from Illinois State) and Jayden Zachery (Boston College), he’ll be much more effective on both ends of the floor. Chauncey Wiggins and Ian Schieffelin will do all the dirty work along the baseline, and while Cincinnati transfer Viktor Lakhin is no P.J. Hall. He is one of the conference’s more talented centers.
5. Pittsburgh
Another team poised to move up, the Panthers are driven by the conference’s top backcourt trio of Jaylan Lowe, Ish Leggett and Houston transfer Damian Dunn. They can score in bunches and play lock-down defense as well as anyone in the ACC. The frontcourt rotation of the lanky Diaz Graham twins (Guillermo and Jorge) is bolstered by the arrival of Florida State transfer Cam Cohen, who is just scratching the surface of his potential. Don’t be surprised to see Jeff Capel’s squad at the top of standings throughout the season.
6. Miami
If you’re looking for the conference’s best inside-out duo, it’s likely Hurricanes’ lead guard Nigel Pack and center Lynn Kidd, a transfer from Virginia Tech. Pack is one of the more explosive playmakers in the ACC, and Kidd is a savvy pick-and-roll master down low. The Canes also have plenty of firepower on the wings with returnee Matthew Cleveland, Stetson transfer Jalen Blackmon, and freshmen Jalil Bethea and Divine Ugochukwu. With Jim Larranaga at the helm, this team will do everything to erase the disappointment of last season
7. NC State
The defending ACC champs won’t be going away anytime soon. Kevin Keatts built one of the deepest rosters in the conference, and it’s one that is built to run. Returnees Jayden Taylor and Mike O’Connell will manage the backcourt with a bevy of wings led by transfers Marcus Hill (Bowling Green) and Mike James (Louisville). Up front, Dontrez Styles (Georgetown) and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (Louisville) will give the Wolfpack an added dimension, and center Ben Middlebrooks may be the most improved player in the conference.
8. Louisville
The Cardinals are boasting a completely revamped roster, and it should be one of the most athletic the city has seen in some time. Transfers Terrance Edwards (James Madison), Kasean Pryor (South Florida), Koren Johnson (Washington) and Chucky Hepburn (Wisconsin) can all run down opponents defensively and put up points at the same time. If James Scott (Charleston) and Aboubacar Traore (Long Beach State) can shore up the frontcourt, this team could surprise.
9. Virginia
When head coach Tony Bennett retired just weeks away from the season tipoff, it lowered the expectations considerably for the Cavaliers. Regardless, they still have one of the more dangerous shooters in Isaac McKneely, along with returnees Taine Murray and Elijah Gertrude. Transfers Dai Dai Ames (Kansas State) and TJ Power (Duke) will certainly bring some offensive firepower, and center Blake Buchanan should continue to improve. Plus, new coach Ron Sanchez is a Bennett disciple who will continue to instill the latter’s dominant defensive scheme.
10. Georgia Tech
When all is said and done, this Yellow Jackets team may be a dark horse for a deep March run. Damon Stoudamire has a solid nucleus with Nait George and Kawacie Reeves in the backcourt and Baye Ndongo patrolling the paint. To get the squad to the next level, Stoudamire turns to Oklahoma transfer Javian McCullom and prized freshman Jaeden Mustaf to create opportunities and kick the offense into high gear. George in particular is expected to take a leap in development this season and could become the next great Tech guard.
11. Syracuse
The Orange are still trying to figure things out with Judah Mintz in the NBA, and it could take some time. Regardless, the return of J.J. Starling at the point and Chris Bell on the wing, as well as the addition of star freshman Donnie Freeman should keep them in the mix. TCU transfer Eddie Lampkin should fill the void in the middle, but Delaware transfer Jyare Davis will also make some waves on the baseline.
12. Notre Dame
Another backcourt tandem to watch is that of Irish guards Braeden Shrewsberry and Markus Burton, both of whom can create instant offense. Freshman forward Nas Mohammed should provide some added excitement, and Princeton transfer Matt Allocco will add stability on the wing. The only issue is whether coach Micah Shrewsberry can find a solution in the middle.
13. SMU
Nobody is expecting much in the Mustangs’ first year in the ACC, but they appear to have some decent pieces in place, with returning scorers Chuck Harris and Keon Ambrose-Hylton, and the addition of Wake Forest transfer Boopie Miller, who could be in line for a breakout season at the point. If UCSB transfer Yohan Traore can hold his own down low, these Mustangs might pull off a surprise or two.
14. Florida State
Leonard Hamilton and the Seminoles are still facing a downward trend despite returning leading scorer Jamir Watkins. Taylor Bol Bowen fits the Hamilton mold of lengthy, athletic forwards, and could provide some boost, but it may take a while for the rest of the roster to catch up.
15. Virginia Tech
The Hokies are on the fringe with the Seminoles where they have limited returning experience (mostly center Mylyjael Poteat) and some interesting transfers but will need time to gel and ramp up to competition. If Toibu Lawal (VCU) and Jaden Schutt (Duke) live up to their potential, it will at least be entertaining.
16. Boston College
It’s difficult to get anything going in Chestnut Hill, but the Eagles can still manage some moments behind returning guard Donald Hand and transfers Josh Beadle (Clemson) and Chad Venning (St. Bonaventure). It has to get better for Earl Grant eventually.
17. California
Conference integration isn’t always easy when you’re on the other side of the country, and the Bears are expected to take their share of lumps. Hopefully, Mark Madsen can get enough mileage from bucket machine and Stanford transfer Andrej Stojakovic.
18. Stanford
Again, someone must occupy the basement, and the Cardinal gets the nod this year. They do have a talented centerpiece in Maxime Raynaud, but too many questions elsewhere on the roster. Kyle Smith will be a good coach at Stanford, but it will take time.