ACC Basketball: 5 key questions and storylines for 2021-22 season

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 20: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski (L) and associate head coach Jon Scheyer of the Duke Blue Devils direct their team against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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ACC Basketball Virginia Cavaliers Kihei Clark Michael Thomas Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Is Virginia being over, under, or properly rated in the preseason? (Projected 26-30 range)

Anderson

I think Virginia is being underrated but rightfully so. They don’t have the perimeter scoring that they typically have but they should still be a solid defensive squad. Jayden Gardner will surprise a lot of folks as well on the interior.

Loose

Virginia has a knack for pulling things together as the season goes along and we always see their defense amongst the very best in the nation. However, this team doesn’t exactly have the same level of talent as that title team from three seasons ago, especially losing Hauser and Huff (among others); maybe that range could even be too high.

Travis

I think Virginia is being properly rated going into the season. I would probably say they’re the fifth-best team in the ACC at this moment in time, obviously behind the likes of Duke, Florida State, and North Carolina, with Virginia Tech likely being the team I’d also put above them. Having Sam Hauser and Jay Huff is huge, and is a large reason why the Cavaliers are going to be successful this season, plus the addition of East Carolina transfer Jayden Gardner, but losing their backcourt of Casey Morsell, and Thomas Woldetensae is obviously huge.

However, they still have Tony Bennett at the helm, and they also have Kihei Clark, so I think the Cavaliers will be fine, and they’re being ranked properly heading into the season.