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 Syracuse Orange forward Benny Williams Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
ACC Basketball Syracuse Orange forward Benny Williams Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Syracuse Orange

2022-23 season record: 17-15 (10-10)

Hall of Fame head coach Jim Boeheim is gone and longtime assistant Adrian Autry has taken over. But he’s set to have one of the youngest rosters in the entire country next season after losing so many veterans. Leading scorer Joe Girard is now at Clemson, while big man Jesse Edwards has transferred over to West Virginia. And while it’s not official, it looks as if the team is ready to be without freshman Judah Mintz, who is a projected NBA Draft pick.

The Orange got its best transfer early on in the offseason in JJ Starling, a double-digit scorer from Notre Dame. He’s joined by a pair of former top-100 prospects in Chance Westry (Auburn) and Kyle Cuffe (Kansas). Neither guy really played last season so it’s unknown how good they’ll be but their play could determine both the floor and ceiling next season.

The other key pickup was Naheem McLeod, a 7’4 center from Florida State that averaged a few points and rebounds in 11 mpg. He can be a good defense if the Orange opts to play zone going forward but will McLeod and Mourin Hima be good enough for 40 mpg at center in the ACC?

One positive is that all of the talented underclassmen from last season are back, including Chris Bell, Justin Taylor, and Benny Williams. If any of them can break out, Syracuse will have a chance next season. But with so much inexperience and a first-time head coach on the sidelines, I’ll have to see it to believe it with them.