ACC Basketball: Duke, FSU leads early power rankings for 2021-22

ACC Basketball: Duke, FSU leads early power rankings for 2021-22 season

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 06: Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils cuts down the net after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Duke defeated Wisconsin 68-63. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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ACC Basketball Virginia Tech Hokies forward Keve Aluma Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 447. . . . Hokies . 4

2020-21 season record: 15-7 (9-4)

The biggest team and individual surprise from ACC Basketball came here with Virginia Tech and Keve Aluma. The transfer from Wofford followed head coach Mike Young to the Hokies but ended up being the star piece, leading the team with 15.2 ppg and 7.9 rpg. Had the team not dealt with covid issues and played just three games in the final month of the regular season, Aluma would’ve won ACC Player of the Year in my opinion.

He’s still in the NBA Draft process but for now, I’m assuming he’ll be back. And he’ll be joined by another former Terrier in Storm Murphy, an offseason transfer pickup that averaged 17.8 ppg and 4.3 apg this past season, while also shooting 40% from three-point range at over seven attempts a game. He’s a big offensive upgrade over last year’s starter Wabissa Bede and gives them a three-point replacement for Jalen Cone, who transferred to Northern Arizona.

The Hokies do have a trio of key guards returning in Hunter Catoor, Nahiem Alleyne, and Tyrece Radford, arguably the best pound-for-pound rebounder in college basketball. There’s depth in the frontcourt behind Aluma and Justyn Mutts as well with the returns of David N’Guessan and Cordell Pemsl, along with Clemson transfer center Lynn Kidd.

Virginia Tech won’t have the benefit of creeping up on anyone next season but if Murphy’s shooting skills translate to ACC Basketball, the Hokies can beat just about anyone in this league straight up. And with hopefully no covid issues preventing them from playing games, this is a team that can certainly compete for a regular-season title.