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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 Duke Blue Devils players Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
ACC Basketball Duke Blue Devils players Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Duke Blue Devils

2022-23 season record: 27-9 (14-6)

As expected, Duke was going to lose multiple key players to the NBA Draft. Those this year that are gone are starting center Dereck Lively and wing Dariq Whitehead, while role player Jacob Grandison has moved on. For most teams, that’s a sizeable loss. However, this should be considered a massive win for the Blue Devils, thanks to who’s coming back.

Not only was Kyle Filipowski the ACC Rookie of the Year last season but the 7’0 big man led the team with 15.1 ppg and 9.0 rpg. He’s back for his sophomore season, along with starting forward Mark Mitchell. Tyrese Proctor, who averaged 9.4 ppg in his first year, also returns. And to make sure there’s a veteran presence, guard and double-digit scorer Jeremy Roach is back for his senior season too.

And even without former top-10 forward commit Mackenzie Mgbako, Duke still has a top-2 incoming recruiting class, featuring four five-star prospects. Sean Stewart and TJ Power are frontcourt players, while Jared McCain and Caleb Foster are on the perimeter. While none of them need to have big years in order to succeed due to so many returning players, that just shows the immense depth that’s going to be on this roster next season.

Next. WTE Big Ten power rankings for 2023-24. dark

We did see what happened to last year’s consensus preseason ACC basketball favorite in North Carolina, so anything can happen. But it’s going to be hard to envision the Blue Devils failing next season with so much overall talent. They not only have the chance to be the team to beat in this league but potentially in the entire sport in 2024.