ACC Basketball: Duke clear ahead, Pitt dead last in latest power rankings

Nov 26, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Trevor Keels (1) applauds as Duke Blue Devils forward Wendell Moore Jr. (0) is named Most Valuable Player of the Continental Tire Challenge after the Blue Devils defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 84-81 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

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Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Isaiah Mucius Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

448. . 7-1. . Demon Deacons . 11. team

It’s been two years of full-blown roster rebuilding for the Demon Deacons under Steve Forbes. And while it’s still early, we’re starting to see the results. Although transfer Damari Monsanto is out for the season with an injury, other newcomers have stepped up to have a big impact so far.

The biggest impact player has to be Alondes Williams, a transfer guard from Oklahoma that has exploded in the first eight games, averaging a team-leading 19.5 ppg and 3.8 apg. That includes a career-high 32 points in a win over Western Carolina. Indiana State transfer forward Jake Laravia has been extremely impressive (15.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 3.3 apg), while guard Daivien Williamson is healthy after missing all of last season with an injury, putting up 14.8 ppg.

The supporting cast, featuring Isaiah Mucius, Khadim Sy, and freshman guard Cameron Hildreth has provided some good two-way production to give Wake Forest one of the better offenses in the ACC. Of course, they haven’t faced much competition, having gotten blown out by LSU and surviving Northwestern at home in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

We’ll see how Williams and Laravia do once in ACC play, starting with Virginia Tech on the road this Saturday. But so far, the Deacons have avoided any bad losses and handled who they were supposed to beat. The next step is to start beating top-100 competition.