ACC Basketball: Breakout candidates from each team for 2020-21 season

ACC Basketball breakout candidate – Isaiah Mucius (Wake Forest)

With their four leading scorers from last year leaving the program and new head coach Steve Forbes only recently sent in to pick things up following Danny Manning’s firing, Wake Forest clearly owns the cleanest slate amongst all ACC teams. Now as the only central figure from last year returning, player or coach, almost nothing stands between Isaiah Mucius and Demon Deacon stardom.

He only averaged 7.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last year, but Mucius often saw his game clouded by the now-departed Brandon Childress, Andrien White, Olivier Sarr, and Chaundee Brown. But the new evidence suggests that those numbers plan to grow considerably alongside his role on the team.

Put simply, no other option really exists for Wake Forest. Assistance coming from transfers Ian Dubose and Isaiah Wilkins must arrive for the team to at least compete modesty against any other ACC opponents, likely causing their roles to expand as well. But given his familiarity with the program, Mucius fits best as a candidate for Forbes to build things around.

Mucius takes good shots, shooting 42.% from the field last year, but he also plays aggressively, showing a tendency to either attack the rim or create his own shot off the dribble. His 6’11 wingspan also sets him up as a capable defender while simultaneously allowing him to extend around defenders for crafty finishes inside.

Mucius takes good shots, shooting 42.% from the field last year, but he also plays aggressively, showing a tendency to either attack the rim or create his own shot off the dribble. His 6’11 wingspan also sets him up as a capable defender while simultaneously allowing him to extend around defenders for crafty finishes inside.

Likely only earning only enough conference wins to count on one hand, Wake Forest’s team for next year still regrettably lacks enough talent to really contend, but Mucius offers the Demon Deacons the best chance to bring about some extra upset victories.