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

By Tristan Freeman

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)
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 Michael Devoe Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ACC Basketball Michael Devoe Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Yellow Jackets . 8. team. 436. . .

2020-21 season record: 17-9 (11-6)

From starting off the season with losses to Mercer and Georgia State to then winning the ACC Tournament playing just two games to then missing your top guy and ACC Player of the Year Moses Wright in the NCAA Tournament, Georgia Tech’s 2020-21 season arc was one to remember.

What the season did do for certain was take the “hot seat” tag off of head coach Josh Pastner. And even without Wright, the Yellow Jackets still have a roster good enough to go dancing again. That, of course, depends on whether or not star point guard and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Jose Alvarado decides to come back for a 5th year. He and Mike Devoe (already confirmed back) would form arguably the best ACC backcourt next season.

There’s plenty of backcourt depth, even if Alvarado doesn’t return. Bubba Parham is back for a 5th year, along with Kyle Sturdivant. Deivon Smith started eight games last season as a freshman at Mississippi State, while top-100 wing Dallan “Deebo” Coleman will be an impact freshman next season.

The biggest question will be how Georgia Tech replaces Wright in the frontcourt. Double-digit scorer Jordan Usher will be back for a 5th season, playing at the undersized power forward spot.  Rodney Howard and Saga Gigiberia will each get more playing time next season but if they aren’t good enough for ACC minutes, don’t be surprised if Coleman and Usher plays the 4 and 5 spots and the team plays super small.

If frontcourt issues emerge, it may not matter how good Devoe and Alvarado play next season against bigger teams.