ACC Basketball: Preseason rankings for 2019-20 season

By Brian Rauf | Sep 25, 2019

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 05: Tre Jones #3 of the Duke Blue Devils drives past Jordan Chatman #25 of the Boston College Eagles during the second half of their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 05, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke won 80-55. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 26: Brandon Childress #0 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts after a play against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during their game at LJVM Coliseum Complex on February 26, 2019 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Last Year: 11-19 (4-14). . Demon Deacons . 12. team. 448.

Speaking of buyouts, it’s almost guaranteed that Wake Forest would be entering 2019-20 with a new head coach had it not been for Danny Manning’s estimated $18 million buyout, which was given to him courtesy of an inexplicable and unnecessary extension in 2017 that came on the heels of losses to Georgia Southern, Liberty, and Drake.

The Demon Deacons aren’t willing to spend that kind of money on a buyout, so Manning is back for his sixth season in Winston-Salem despite having an overall record of 65-93.

Last year’s team wasn’t close to being competitive – they lost as many games by at least 15 points as they won by any margin. They also lost their best player, Jaylen Hoard, to the NBA Draft.

Wake Forest still has a little bit of talent for Manning to work with, however. Senior Brandon Childress is one of the better point guards in the conference and Charlotte transfer Andrien White should provide an offensive boost as well.

There’s not a ton to turn to outside of them, which is why the Demon Deacons appear poised to finish in the bottom half of the conference for the 10th consecutive season.