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 Virginia Tech Hokies guard Hunter Cattoor Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
ACC Basketball Virginia Tech Hokies guard Hunter Cattoor Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Virginia Tech Hokies

2022-23 season record: 19-15 (8-12)

If you’re into a debate about whether guards or forwards are more important to a team, Virginia Tech will be a nice test study. The team loses arguably their two best players on the roster this offseason in leading scorer Grant Basile, along with all-around forward and leading rebounder and passer, Justyn Mutts. Another loss that has flown under the radar this offseason was Darius Maddox transferring to George Mason after averaging 8.5 ppg and 3.2 rpg as a part-time starter.

The good news is that the guards are back for the Hokies. Sean Pedulla was an All-ACC player after averaging 15.0 ppg and 3.8 apg, while Hunter Cattoor produced 10.8 ppg while shooting 42% from three-point range. MJ Collins started 16 games last season while former four-star recruit Rodney Rice should be fully healthy to start the year.

Va Tech has added three transfers, all in the frontcourt. Tyler Nickel is a former top-60 prospect that didn’t play much in his first year at North Carolina, while Robbie Beran is a four-year starter from Northwestern, with a career average of 6.2 ppg. And Old Dominion transfer Mekhi Long is a 6’7 forward coming off a career-high 10.7 ppg and 8.7 rpg.

The team hopes that Long and Beran can be instant impact transfers alongside returners Lynn Kidd and Mylyjael Poteat. The best defenders are gone but this could be an explosive offensive unit. We’ll see if Cattoor and Pedulla can be the best players on an NCAA Tournament team.