Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball: Early grades for each teams 2023 offseason moves

By Tristan Freeman

Mar 16, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer looks on during the first half against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Orlando, FL, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer looks on during the first half against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jayden Taylor #13 of the Butler Bulldogs (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Jayden Taylor #13 of the Butler Bulldogs (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

6. NC State Wolfpack – Grade: A-

The Wolfpack knew they were losing its two star players (Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner) its offseason but major credit to Coach Kevin Keatts for handling business. He landed five transfers, including guards Jayden Taylor and DJ Horne, as well as frontcourt players, Ben Middlebrooks and Mohamed Diarra. The biggest name was MJ Rice, a former five-star prospect and transfer from Kansas that could become that new go-to scorer next season.

Starting center D.J. Burns is back for an extra year as well, along with Casey Morsell in the backcourt. The only reason why I don’t give them an “A+” is that they don’t have a clear-cut starting point guard on the roster. Had they found a way to land Alabama transfer Jaden Bradley a couple of weeks ago, it would’ve been a perfect offseason.

5. Pittsburgh Panthers – Grade: B

It’s been a rare offseason for the Panthers where they didn’t deal with a roster exodus. However, they lost all four rotation guards via eligibility and big man John Hugley transferred out to Oklahoma. The team has landed a couple of transfers in wing Zach Austin and scoring guard Ishmael Leggett. Both of them are projected starters right now.

As long as leading scorer Blake Hinson comes back from the NBA Draft process, Pittsburgh should be in good shape as an NCAA Tournament contender. But with the ball-handlers on the roster currently freshmen in Jaland Lowe and Dior Johnson, the program would do well landing one more point guard to stabilize the position.