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) /

8 of 16

ACC Basketball North Carolina State Wolfpack Cam Hayes Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Wolfpack . 9. team. 442. . .

2020-21 season record: 14-11 (9-8)

Offseasons for head coach Kevin Keatts and the Wolfpack are never boring and that includes the past couple of months. They lost freshman point guard Shakeel Moore to Mississippi State, along with Braxton Beverly and Nick Farrar to the transfer portal as well. Big man Derek Funderburk moved on and for about 48 hours, it looked as if starting center Manny Bates was gone too.

But Bates is back, along with arguably NC State’s best player from last season, Jericole Hellems. He averaged 12.9 ppg and 5.0 ppg in his first year as a full-time starter. The depth in the frontcourt behind them consists of Providence transfer Greg Gantt, Jr. and Ernest Ross, a 6’10 power forward prospect ranked in the top-50 in the class.

The key to the Wolfpack’s fate next season lies in its backcourt. Point guard Cam Hayes is a national breakout candidate after leading the team in assists per game (3.1 apg), while senior Thomas Allen provides experience. Virginia transfer Casey Morsell is a great defender but really struggles shooting and scoring overall.

If Devon Daniels, the team’s leading scorer from last season (16.5 ppg) comes back (currently undecided as of now), there’s enough balance and offensive firepower to expect them to compete for an NCAA Tournament bid. If he doesn’t come back, 6’7 wing Dereon Seabron is capable of being a full-time starter and effective role player.

Even more than the production, NC State at times looked demoralized and without much fight. Maybe the covid issues played into it but if the effort and consistency don’t improve next season, they’ll be on the wrong side of the bubble again.