ACC Basketball: Expectations for each program for 2019-20 season

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 15: Teammates Zion Williamson #1 and Cam Reddish #2 of the Duke Blue Devils await a free throw with Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game in the semifinals of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 15, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 15: Head coach Mike Brey of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half of the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame

Not much of a change of roster for the Irish, a team that was beaten down last season with injuries will return a key piece of their roster who was injured last season in Rex Pflueger who seems destined to have a great last year in South Bend. John Mooney looks to build off of last season’s 3rd team All-ACC selection where he led the league in rebounding. I expect this team to be much improved from last year’s disappointing 3-15 in conference play and be solidly in the middle of the ACC fighting for an at-large selection in march.

Pittsburgh

The Panthers return two of the most dynamic guards in the ACC in Xavier Johnson and Trey McGowens. Both guards averaged over 11 points per game last season as a freshman and look to build off of their successful freshman campaigns. These guards are joined by fellow sophomore Au’Diese Toney who will play primarily on the wing/forward for Pittsburgh.

The Panthers are clearly better than the bottom of the conference but not as good as the middle of the pack just yet. This could easily change as the season progresses but expect this team to be playing in the NIT come march. If they can return their core of Johnson, McGowens and Toney this will be a very good team in 2020-2021.

Syracuse

Since joining the ACC back in 2013 Syracuse hasn’t been able to show their national dominance like they once had in the old Big East. Nothing changes this year as the Orange will likely be sitting firmly on the bubble. Syracuse brings in five freshmen in the 2019 recruiting class that ranks within the top 35 in the country. Although, not much production is expected out of any of their recruits except for Brycen Goodine and Quincy Guerrier.

The outlook for this team depends on how much production they can get out of these guys as they return just seven players who logged minutes last year. Expectations for this team being near the bottom of the middle of the ACC but still fighting for an at-large selection.