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) /

14 of 16

ACC Basketball Caleb Love North Carolina Tar Heels (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

441. . . . Tar Heels . 3. team

2020-21 season record: 18-11 (10-6)

If we’re simply comparing overall talent between last season’s Tar Heel roster and what they have projected for 2021-22, the prior group would win out. Yet I’m a believer that the one new head coach Hubert Davis is working with will produce a better on the court product.

The first, and most important thing is that UNC will have a non-freshman point guard leading the offense in Caleb Love. He averaged 10.5 ppg and 3.6 apg and was solid for a first-year player but he has the chance to be a national breakout star as a sophomore. The same goes for fellow rising sophomore guard RJ Davis, who at one point was leading the team in scoring last season.

What’ll help both guards is the new-look frontcourt the Tar Heels will have. It certainly hurts to not have talents such as Garrison Brooks, Walker Kessler, and future NBA draftee Day’Ron Sharpe. However, the “floor” is literally sophomore Armando Bacot’s next season as the lead big man. He led the Tar Heels with 12.3 ppg and 7.8 rpg and if he officially comes back, could have a monster season.

Joining him in the frontcourt is Oklahoma transfer Brady Manek. The 6’9 forward started 111 games for the Sooners, averaging double figures each year. Most importantly, Manek is a career 38% three-point shooter and adds much-needed spacing from the floor. This will help out both Bacot and the guards on the perimeter. Virginia transfer Justin McCoy adds versatility and defense when it comes to creating advantageous lineups, while four-star forward Dontrez Styles adds depth.

Wings Kerwin Walton and Puff Johnson have another year of experience, while Leaky Black is the kind of “glue guy” that can win the Tar Heels some games. And look for incoming freshman D’Marco Dunn to improve the three-point shooting, a major flaw from last year’s roster.

There may be less star power this time around but everyone should have a clear idea of their role and if the sophomores take a collective leap, North Carolina will be ranked throughout next season.