ACC Basketball power rankings: Wake Forest rises, Virginia slides down

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 22: Jayden Gardner #1 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends Hunter Tyson #5 of the Clemson Tigers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on December 22, 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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ACC Basketball Kevin Keatts North Carolina State Wolfpack (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

. Wolfpack . 10. team. 442. . 7-5 (0-1)

When big man and favorite for ACC Defensive Player of the Year Manny Bates went down with a season-ending shoulder injury, it looked as if NC State would be going through some major trouble. However, Dereon Seabron emerging as a star player gave the team hope, including nearly beating the No. 1 team Purdue before falling in overtime.

Unfortunately, not having Bates around has finally caught up to them on the defensive end. The Wolfpack has now lost three straight games, including giving up 83 points to Richmond and 84 to Wright State of the Horizon League. On the season, the team is allowing 74.2 ppg, which ranks towards the bottom in the ACC. Sophomore center Ebenezer Dowuona has been admirable in Bates’ absence but the interior defense hasn’t been the same.

NC State will have to win most games via offense, which they have a ton of. Seabron is a contender for ACC Player of the Year, averaging 19.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, and 2.8 apg, all of which leads the team. Jericole Hellums (14.4 ppg) and Terquavion Smith (13.8 ppg) are second and third on the team, while guard Cam Hayes (11.4 ppg) also is in double figures.

Add Virginia transfer Casey Morsell (9.5 ppg) in the rotation and that’s about 95% of the team’s scoring production right there. So if Seabron can’t continue this incredibly good offensive production, NC State will be in danger of losing plenty more games unless the defense starts to improve.