ACC basketball is the next conference in our college basketball preview and possibly the most fun to predict considering the stacked talent within.
The ACC is the best conference in college basketball, and it’s not even close. There is such a rich history of winning, and that includes teams outside of just Duke and UNC.
This season is going to cement why it’s truly the best league in college hoops.
ACC teams are stacked with talent, as there are 8-to-10 programs who are capable of reaching the NCAA Tournament.
You won’t want to blink because this upcoming year is going to be epic and I truly believe when the 2016-17 year is wrapped up, an ACC team will be standing on that stage holding the trophy as National Champions
But success isn’t going to come easy in the toughest league in America. There are going to be a lot of “upsets” and disappointed teams throughout the year. Why? Because of how good everyone else is. Road games are going to be ten times tougher than they normally are. Also, there are hungry coaches and players who feel they aren’t getting the respect they deserve because of how deep and skilled the league is.
Last year, the North Carolina Tar Heels finished atop the ACC and won the conference tournament championship. They lost in the National Championship game, but the ACC put six teams (SIX!) in the Sweet 16.
ACC squads are going to battle it out all year, and while it may make some tired, it will train others into warriors ready for any competition they play. Fasten your seat-belts ACC fanatics, it’s going to be a fun year.
Conference Awards
Coach of the Year: Jim Boeheim
Player of the Year: Grayson Allen
Freshman of the Year: Dennis Smith Jr.
All-ACC First Team:
Freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr., North Carolina State
Junior guard Grayson Allen, Duke
Senior forward Jaron Blossomgame, Clemson
Sophomore forward Tyler Lydon, Syracuse
Freshman forward Jayson Tatum, Duke
All-ACC Second Team:
Senior guard London Perrantes, Virginia
Sophomore guard Bryant Crawford, Wake Forest
Freshman forward Harry Giles, Duke
Senior forward Michael Young, Pittsburgh
Senior forward Austin Nichols, Virginia
There are so many talented players in the conference this year, making it so hard to choose the top-10. As long as this select group stays healthy, there is no question they can compete at the highest level. But there is always the possibility of someone surprising us all and ending up on the First Team.
No one expects Grayson Allen to keep the high scoring numbers up, but with more help this year, he’s going to do a lot of other things to win ball games. I think Jaron Blossomgame is a close second to potentially win ACC Player of the Year.
Call me crazy, but Jim Boeheim may just have a fantastic season, especially coming off a year in which he was suspended for nine games. He’s put together a great roster and looks ready to make another run.
Dennis Smith Jr. is going to take the ACC by storm. If he doesn’t win, next man up? Choose any Duke freshman.
15. Boston College Eagles
2015-16 record: 7-25 overall, 0-18 in ACC
Head coach: Jim Christian
Returning players: Jerome Robinson, A.J. Turner, Garland Owens, Ervin Meznieks, John Carlos Reyes
Notable newcomers: Jordan Chatman (BYU transfer), Maurice Jeffers (Delaware transfer), Connar Tava (Western Michigan transfer), three-star SG Ty Graves, three-star F Mike Sagay
Well, Boston College is going to have a tough year. The answer is clear as to why: They just don’t have enough talent. The last time they really had the chance to compete was when Jared Dudley was on the roster.
Jim Christian is basically taking this club nowhere.
Eli Carter left after being the Eagles’ leading scorer last season. They do have sophomore Jerome Robinson coming back, but he’s really about the only one who has much upside. The transfers who are joining the roster bring some depth and experience, but they won’t make much of a difference.
They need a player to build around and it’s not there just yet. This season will be a lot like last year.In fact, BC may not win a single game in ACC play yet again this year. But then again, they do have Georgia Tech on their schedule.
14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2015-16 record: 21-15 overall, 8-10 in ACC
Head coach: Josh Pastner (first year)
Returning players: Quinton Stephens, Ben Lammers, Tadric Jackson, Josh Heath, Abdoulaye Gueye (played in 2014-15, RS last year)
Notable newcomers: Sylvester Ogbonda (redshirt), three-star F Christian Matthews, F Josh Okogie, two-star PG Justin Moore, Kellen McCormick (Western Michigan transfer), Jodan Price (Eastern Michigan transfer)
Georgia Tech is going to be in much of the same boat as Boston College will be. They just don’t have enough talent to make any noise. Their best opportunity to keep their name relevant was last season with Marcus Georges-Hunt and a bunch of veteran players. There were a few times where it really looked like they may be righting the ship, including the win over UVA at home.
But then next thing you know, they’re back to where they started. Josh Pastner may have just inherited the biggest mess of his coaching career.
Looking ahead, Pastner has gotten a recruit for the future to build around, but he can’t help the team in 2016-17. Look for the Yellow Jackets to have a really tough year in Pastner’s first go.
13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2015-16 record: 11-20 overall, 2-14 in ACC
Head coach: Danny Manning
Returning players: Bryant Crawford, Mitchell Wilbekin, Konstantinos Mitoglou, John Collins, Doral Moore, Greg McClinton
Notable newcomers: Keyshawn Woods (Charlotte transfer), four-star PG Brandon Childress, three-star SF Rich Washington, three-star center Samuel Japhet-Mathias, forward Donovan Mitchell
Wake Forest just had an absolutely disappointing season last year. They lose their two main guys in Devin Thomas and Codi Miller-McIntyre. The Demon Deacons are by far a step ahead of both Georgia Tech and Boston College, as those two are in a class of their own this upcoming year.
Wake has upside in returning Bryant Crawford and John Collins, two players with really high ceilings. Danny Manning also did a really good job on the recruiting trail to build his team for this year. Freshman Brandon Childress will see some minutes at the point guard spot. Manning also added some depth to his rotation, snatching Keyshawn Woods and Rich Washington.
After last year, it looked like Manning’s job could soon be in jeopardy. But then Chaundee Brown, ESPN’s no. 30 overall recruit in 2017 signed with the Deacs and all the chatter was lost. Like I said before, Wake is a tier ahead of both Boston College and Georgia Tech, but don’t expect them to do anything crazy, yet.
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2015-16 record: 24-12 overall, 11-7 in ACC, reached NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
Head coach: Mike Brey
Returning players: V.J. Beachem, Bonzie Colson, Steve Vasturia, Rex Pflueger, Matt Ryan, Matt Farrell, Martinas Geben
Notable newcomers: Four-star PG Temple Gibbs, three-star F John Mooney, G Nikola Djogo, F Elijah Burns (ankle – out for year in 2015-16)
Mike Brey is a coaching genius.
So, let’s see how he will regroup after losing both Demetrius Jackson and Zach Auguste.
I’m not sure he is ready to tackle this one. Jackson was the head honcho and the floor general for the Irish. His gut and will was what drove them to victory through many games. Now they’re missing a true point guard to run this team.
There is great talent with both guard/forward V.J. Beachem and forward Steve Vasturia still in the fold. Temple Gibbs is even going to be a spark for the team and may end up at the point guard spot. I think the Irish take a step back this year because of how much stronger all the ACC teams seem to be. Maybe I’m wrong because Brey seems to always figure it out.
11. Pittsburgh Panthers
2015-16 record: 21-12 overall, 9-9 in ACC, reached NCAA Tournament 1st round
Head coach: Kevin Stallings (first year)
Returning players: Michael Young, Jamel Artis, Sheldon Jeter, Chris Jones, Cameron Johnson, Ryan Luther, Damon Wilson
Notable newcomers: JUCO G Crisshawn Clark, four-star PG Justice Kithcart, C Rozelle Nix (foot injury – didn’t play in 2015-16), three-star C Corey Manigault, JUCO G Jonathan Milligan
I have a hard time figuring out where to place Pittsburgh because of the team’s above them.
But this team has a lot of experience. Returning is forward Michael Young and what appears to be point guard Jamel Artis. That will be an interesting situation to see how Artis takes over at point.
Nonetheless, having a new coach is going to take some time to get used to. There is an opportunity for some players to round out around Artis and Young, but I don’t see it happening this year.
Maybe Pitt takes enough quality wins to slide into the NCAA tournament, but it’s doubtful given the current circumstances.
10. Miami Hurricanes
2015-16 record: 27-8 overall, 13-5 in ACC, reached NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Head coach: Jim Larranaga
Returning players: Ja’Quan Newton, Davon Reed, Rashad Muhammad, Anthony Lawrence Jr, Kamari Murphy, Ebuka Izundu
Notable newcomers: Five-star G Bruce Brown, five-star F Dewan Huell, four-star C Rodney Miller, guard Dejan Vasiljevic, San Jose State transfer G Rashad Muhammad
The ACC may have close to 10 teams in the 2017 NCAA Tournament and I believe these next 10 could surely do it.
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We start with Miami. Jim Larranaga is coming off an Elite Eight appearance and was named the ACC Coach of the Year in 2015-16. How is he supposed to follow that up, considering Tonye Jekiri, Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez and are all gone?
By recruiting of course. He added two five-star recruits in Bruce Brown and Dewan Huell. Larranaga is the only other ACC coach alongside Mike Krzyzewski to add more than one five-star recruit to his team for the class of 2016.
It didn’t stop there though. Larranga also added Rodney Miller and Dejan Vasiljevic. All four of these players can and will contribute immediately to this Hurricanes’ team.
The Hurricanes won’t finish second in the ACC and make the Elite Eight like they did last year, but there is still an opportunity to make some noise. Larranaga is proving himself to be one of the top coaches in the conference.
9. Clemson Tigers
2015-16 record: 17-14 overall, 10-8 in ACC
Head coach: Brad Brownell
Returning players: Jaron Blossomgame, Donte Grantham, Avry Holmes, Sidy Djitte, Gabe DeVoe, Ty Hudson, Josh Smith,
Notable newcomers: Three-star F Scott Spencer, F Elijah Thomas (eligible in December, Texas A&M transfer), G Shelton Mitchell (Vanderbilt transfer), G Marcquise Reed (Robert Morris transfer)
Clemson is fairly low on this list considering the hype surrounding forward Jaron Blossomgame. But one man can’t truly propel his team to an NCAA berth. He’s got to have more pieces around him and I think Blossomgame and the Tigers do this year.
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Of course, Blossomgame is going to be the focal point of the Tigers’ offense and defense because he is one of the top two-way players in the nation.
Brad Brownell continues to have a tough time making it past a regular season upset win over a big name like Duke. In order to really prove Clemson is the real deal, he’s got to lead them to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011. If he doesn’t do it this year, he may not get to lead Clemson much longer.
Forward Donte Grantham and guard Avry Holmes are two key returnees besides Blossomgame. These two players will be crucial to the Tigers’ success this upcoming season. They also add three key transfers, Shelton Mitchell, Elijah Thomas and Marcquise Reed.
If Blossomgame turns into ‘Beast Mode’ like everyone is predicting, look for Clemson to sneak into the NCAA Tournament and wreak havoc on some teams in the early rounds. Blossomgame may very well end up as the ACC Player of the Year with some national recognition when it’s all said and done.
8. Florida State Seminoles
2015-16 record: 20-14 overall, 8-10 in ACC
Head coach: Leonard Hamilton
Returning players: Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Dwayne Bacon, Terance Mann, Phil Cofer, Christ Koumadje, Michael Ojo, Jarquez Smith
Notable newcomers: Five-star F Jonathan Isaac, four-star G Trent Forrest, four-star G C.J. Walker, JUCO G Braian Angola-Rodas
The Florida State Seminoles remind me a lot of Pittsburgh in that they typically have talent but it just doesn’t equate to wins in March. On paper, I’d say this team is one of the top-five most talented teams in the ACC.
But then your mind wanders.
The Seminoles will be better than last year, mainly because of their starting backcourt with Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Dwayne Bacon. Then you factor in Terance Mann, Trent Forrest and oh yeah by the way, five-star recruit Jonathan Isaac, and you have yourself a strong roster.
But what is this team missing? A solid front court to work with. Isaac will play up front, but his true position is the small forward spot, so he is likely to struggle against bigger, stronger opponents. Also, Phil Cofer and Michael Ojo are coming off injury. Still, Florida State looks like a tournament team.
7. Virginia Tech Hokies
2015-16 record: 20-15 overall, 10-8 in ACC
Head coach: Buzz Williams
Returning players: Ahmed Hill (sat out last year due to injury), Ty Outlaw (sat out last year due to illness), Zach LeDay, Seth Allen, Justin Bibbs, Chris Clarke, Kerry Blackshear Jr., Justin Robinson, Devin Wilson
Notable newcomers: Three-star C Khadim Sy, PG Tyrie Jackson
There is a lot of talent on this team and Buzz Williams is a really good coach.
Forward Zach LeDay is going to lead the charge. He’s absolutely the most talented player on this roster.
There is so much to like here though, with Seth Allen, Justin Bibbs and Justin Robinson coming on late last year. Ahmed Hill is going to be back after missing the year due to an injury. He’ll also be a big piece.
Tough news came out the other day about Kerry Blackshear Jr potentially missing the season, although I don’t believe it will slow Williams and the Hokies down.
Their first ACC matchup? Against Duke in Blacksburg. What a great time to remind everyone how dangerous they will be in the best conference in basketball.
6. North Carolina State Wolfpack
2015-16 record: 16-17 overall, 5-13 in ACC
Head coach: Mark Gottfried
Returning players: Terry Henderson, Abdul-Malik Abu, BeeJay Anya, Maverick Rowan, Shaun Kirk
Notable newcomers: Five-star PG Dennis Smith Jr., G Torin Dorn (Charlotte transfer), five-star C Omer Yurtseven, four-star G Markell Johnson, four-star F Ted Kapita, three-star F Darius Hicks
The NC State Wolfpack look ready for another Sweet 16 run, similar to the one they made just two years ago when they beat the number one seed Villanova Wildcats in the Round of 32. This is the best talent Mark Gottfried has ever possessed.
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He has the top overall point guard in the 2016 recruiting class to lead his squad in Dennis Smith Jr. Smith has the tools to be one of the top point guards in the nation this year due to his scoring ability.
Besides Smith, shooting guard Terry Henderson returns after missing all but six minutes of last season because of an injury in his first game with the Wolfpack. Torin Dorn will be a surprise to many after sitting out last year due to the transfer rules.
Big men Abdul-Malik Abu and BeeJay Anya return as well.
Gottfried also added Ted Kapita and five-star center Omer Yurtseven. Now, there are a lot of questions surrounding both Kapita and Yurtseven due to eligibility issues, and if they don’t play, all of a sudden the Wolfpack have depth concerns.
I think Gottfried is on the hot seat this year and if he can’t deliver with this type of talent, how can he deliver with any other roster?
5. Louisville Cardinals
2015-16 record: 23-8 overall, 12-6 in ACC, ineligible for postseason
Head coach: Rick Pitino
Returning players: Quentin Snider, Donovan Mitchell, Deng Adel, Raymond Spalding, Anas Mahmoud, Jaylen Johnson, Mangok Mathiang, Matz Stockman,
Notable newcomers: Five-star star F V.J. King, G Tony Hicks (Penn transfer)
Louisville had a heck of a season last year after issuing a self-imposed ban on themselves due to the escort scandal. They would’ve made the NCAA Tournament as high seed had they been eligible to compete.
But now they are without Trey Lewis and Damion Lee. Guard Donovan Mitchell came on strong last year and will be a big part of the team this year, alongside point guard Quentin Snider.
One of the more quiet recruits was V.J. King. The guy has some raw talent to be one of the top freshman in the conference.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels
2015-16 record: 33-7 overall, 14-4 in ACC, reached NCAA Tournament National Championship Game
Head coach: Roy Williams
Returning players: Joel Berry II, Nate Britt, Justin Jackson, Theo Pinson, Kenny Williams, Isaiah Hicks, Kennedy Meeks
Notable newcomers: Five-star C Tony Bradley, four-star SG Brandon Robinson, four-star SG Seventh Woods
The North Carolina Tar Heels lost a heartbreaker in the NCAA Championship to Villanova last year. But what’s more important is that they lost Marcus Paige and Brice Johnson for 2016-17.
Those two are awfully important.
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Point guard Joel Berry II is being talked about as one of the best players in the nation and while he is talented, what most are forgetting is Paige drew most of the defensive attention last year. Now with his presence missing, Berry is going to get the stronger defenders, making it harder on him to make plays offensively.
Guard/forward Justin Jackson has proven to be an inconsistent threat, nonetheless he can be a potent shooter at times.
Big man Kennedy Meeks just hasn’t been as good as advertised. Luckily, forward Isaiah Hicks keeps getting better and better and they brought in a five-star center Tony Bradley. The Tar Heels will surely take a step back from last year, but they still will float around the top. Roy Williams had a strong recruiting class and returned a lot of experienced players.
3. Syracuse Orange
2015-16 record: 23-14 overall, 9-9 in ACC, reached NCAA Tournament Final Four
Head coach: Jim Boeheim
Returning players: Tyler Lydon, Tyler Roberson, DaJuan Coleman, Franklin Howard
Notable newcomers: Four-star SF Tyus Battle, four-star PF Matthew Moyer, four-star PF Taurean Thompson, C Paschal Chukwu (Providence transfer), PG John Gillon (Colorado State transfer), SG/SF Andrew White (Nebraska transfer)
The Syracuse Orange are going to be the second biggest surprise in the ACC this season behind Virginia Tech. Once again, not because the talent is missing, but because of how quietly Jim Boeheim has built a monster roster. Usually when your team loses their three leading scorers and most experienced players from the year before, you look at a rebuilding season the following year.
But no, not for Syracuse. The Orange made an unexpected Final Four run after barely squeaking into the tournament last year. They could return to the Final Four this year.
Forward Tyler Lydon is back after having a dominant freshman year. He’s going to be really important to this team’s success.
Boeheim finished with a strong recruiting class, luring three four-star players, including shooting guard Tyus Battle. The biggest off-season pickup was Andrew White though. The graduate transfer from Nebraska will make up for the loss of Malachi Richardson. This team will be one of the top teams in the ACC come March.
2. Virginia Cavaliers
2015-16 record: 29-8 overall, 13-5 in ACC, reached NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
Head Coach: Tony Bennett
Returning players: London Perrantes, Isaiah Wilkins, Darius Thompson, Marial Shayok, Devon Hall, Jack Salt, Jarred Reuter
Notable newcomers: F Austin Nichols (Memphis transfer), Mammadi Diatkite (redshirt), five-star SG Kyle Guy, four-star PG Ty Jerome, four-star F DeAndre Hunter, four- star PF Jay Huff
Tony Bennett is a rising star in college hoops. We all know how talented Bennett is. He took a trip to the Elite Eight last year despite losing Justin Anderson from the season before. The loss of three key players, Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill and Mike Tobey, is going to sting more than you think, but their defensive philosophy is already in place.
And they are reloading. Bennett landed Memphis transfer Austin Nichols. He fits their scheme on both ends of the floor. Nichols averaged almost four blocks a game in his second season with the Tigers, making him a strong rim protector.
Five-star shooting guard Kyle Guy will be a strong piece to the offensive puzzle, and four-star forwards DeAndre Hunter and Jay Huff are joining the roster, in addition to Ty Jerome.
Not to mention they return London Perrantes, their floor general and leader.
1. Duke Blue Devils
2015-16 record: 25-11 overall, 11-7 in ACC, reached NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski
Returning players: Grayson Allen, Amile Jefferson, Matt Jones, Luke Kennard, Chase Jeter
Notable newcomers: Five-star PF Harry Giles, five-star SF Jayson Tatum, five-star PG Frank Jackson, five-star F/C Marques Bolden, four-star PF Javin DeLaurier
Ah, the cream of the crop, the Duke Blue Devils. They are the consensus number one team across the nation and the favorite to win the national championship. Some even talk about that terrible “u” word that seems to jinx teams like it did Kentucky in 2014-15. It’s unrealistic for the Blue Devils to go undefeated in ACC play.
But what is realistic is a national title. This Duke team has the most talented roster in the nation and it all starts with the return of Grayson Allen. Allen came back to Duke and the chances of having another title run skyrocketed.
Amile Jefferson was granted a medical redshirt, giving him this year to return and lead his men into battle. Matt Jones comes back for his senior year after a mediocre junior campaign.
Then you still have Luke Kennard returning, who proved he can do more than shoot last season. Chase Jeter also comes back after a highly disappointing season, but may have improved just enough over the summer to crack the crowded rotation.
Finally, the recruiting class Coach K put together is insane. The five-star talents, Harry Giles, Jayson Tatum, Frank Jackson and Marques Bolden, were all ranked in the top-20 on ESPN. He also signed four-star PF Javin DeLaurier.
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Barring any injury setbacks, like with Giles, this team should go all the way. Come April, Duke should be hoisting its sixth national championship and Coach K should have to start his ring collection on his second hand.