ACC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2022-23 season

Mar 27, 2022; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels pose for a photo after the Tar Heels defeated the St. Peters Peacocks in the finals of the East regional of the men's college basketball NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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ACC Basketball PJ Hall Clemson Tigers (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

12. Clemson Tigers

The Tigers have a different roster outlook than the Eagles in that they were able to bring back its double-digit scoring forwards in Hunter Tyson and PJ Hall. Tyson, who missed eight games last season, is coming back for a 5th year while Hall, the team’s best player at 15.5 ppg and 5.8 rpg after a sophomore breakout campaign, is coming back as one of the best bigs in ACC Basketball.

The questions come entirely from the back after losing all three starters. The most impactful loss was David Collins, who averaged 10.3 ppg and a team-leading 6.9 rpg. But Al-Amir Dawes and Nick Honor both transferring out was also a tough blow. That left Alex Hemenway (5.2 ppg) as the best returning guard on the roster.

Clemson thought they had a lead guard coming when Princeton transfer Jaelin Llewellyn committed early in the offseason. He ultimately changed his mind and went to Michigan instead. The Tigers by landing Boston College veteran Brevin Galloway, who averaged 8.3 ppg off the bench. The team did get some news, getting four-star guard and former Baylor commit Dillon Hunter this offseason. He’ll have to play very well out the gate, as he could be the team’s starting point guard next season.

Had Llewellyn joined Clemson, I would feel good about their chances to compete for a middle spot in the ACC. But unless Hall becomes a 20 ppg and takes over the offense completely, the backcourt weaknesses are too much on paper to expect them to be better next year.