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) /

2 of 16

ACC Basketball Boston College Eagles guard Makai Ashton-Langford Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 431. . . . Eagles . 15

2020-21 season record: 4-16 (2-11)

There were plenty of things out of head coach Jim Christian’s control in the final month of the season. But a 4-16 overall record and key departures later meant that a change needed to occur. Former College of Charleston head coach Earl Grant was named his successor and has a tough task in rebuilding.

What hurts the team the most is that they lost all three key sophomores transferred out in CJ Felder, Jay Heath, and Wynston Tabbs. Add Rich Kelly and four-year starter Steffon Mitchell and you have the top five scorers gone. The two key returning pieces is leading passer Makai Ashton-Langford (9.7 ppg and 3.2 apg) and DeMarr Langford Jr., a 6’5 guard that was a nice surprise for the team, averaging 6.7 ppg and starting nine games.

Even without Mitchell, the frontcourt will have experience with the return of duo forwards Fred Scott and James Karnik, both back for a 5th year, Joining them are 7’0 Mississippi State center transfer Quinten Post, along with TJ Bickerstaff, who averaged 10.2 ppg and 5.2 rpg at Drexel last season.

If College of Charleston transfer guard Brevin Galloway can stay healthy and put up double-digits in the backcourt alongside Ashton-Langford, there may be some hope for Boston College not to finish last in the ACC. But after losing so much from a team that won just four games and looking worse on paper, it’s hard to envision a scenario where that happens.