Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball: Updated way-too-early power rankings for 2023-24 season

By Tristan Freeman

Jan 11, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers forward PJ Hall (24) celebrates after scoring and being fouled against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers forward PJ Hall (24) celebrates after scoring and being fouled against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Littlejohn Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /
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ACC Basketball North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Casey Morsell Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports /

5. NC State Wolfpack

2022-23 season record: 23-11 (12-8)

When it comes to pairs, NC State had arguably the best in ACC Basketball last season in guards Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner. Both of them averaged over 17.0 ppg to lead the team to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in the Coach Kevin Keatts era. However, they’re both gone, along with starting forward Jack Clark and big man Dusan Mahorcic via the transfer portal.

So why do I have the Wolfpack so high up in these rankings? It’s because of the incredible job the program did in the portal itself. They landed six players, including several expected to start. While starting center D.J. Burns (12.5 ppg) is back, the team landed Ben Middlebrooks from Clemson and Mohamed Diarra from Missouri, two frontcourt guys that are fairly skilled.

The others are backcourt players. D.J. Horne and Jayden Taylor were top scoring guards at both Arizona State and Butler, while Michael O’Connell was the starting point guard at Stanford. The most important player to watch is MJ Rice, a former five-star prospect and transfer from Kansas. The 6’5 wing has the ability to play the four-spot and if he has a big year, that could raise the team’s ceiling next season.

Add returning double-digit scorer Casey Morsell in his 5th year and there are plenty of offensive weapons for NC State to use. How it works out minute-wise will be interesting but they’ll be one of the more deeper teams in the league going forward.