ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2023-24 season

3. Syracuse Orange

Last season: 17-15, 10-10 in the ACC

Judah Mintz leads an eager Syracuse rotation after testing the NBA Draft waters this past offseason. Mintz was an All-Freshman performer in the ACC, posting 16.3 ppg, 4.6 apg, 2.3 rpg and 1.8 spg on 30.3 percent shooting from deep and 44.3 percent shooting from the floor in his debut season. In Year 2, he’ll look to lead the Orange to more success as one of seven returners from last year’s squad.

J.J. Starling (Notre Dame) is another All-ACC Freshman performer joining this rotation after his exploits with the Fighting Irish in his debut. He put up 11.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 1.1 apg on 42.1 percent shooting from the floor before entering his name into the transfer portal and moving closer to home with the Orange.

Benny Williams, Chris Bell, Maliq Brown and Justin Taylor are a few other returning names for this Syracuse squad who should grow into bigger roles in Year 1 under head coach Adrian Autry. Williams averaged 7.2 ppg and 4.1 rpg as a sophomore across 30 appearances (24 starts).

Bell was a consistent starter in the frontcourt this past season, posting 6.6 ppg and 1.8 rpg on 34.5 percent shooting from deep while Brown averaged 5.7 ppg and 4.6 rpg across 29 appearances (7 starts). Look for them to carve out roles for themselves in the frontcourt.

Taylor should emerge as their biggest reserve off the bench after averaging 4.2 ppg on 39.3 percent shooting from deep in his debut season. The Orange should surprise some folks in the ACC this season and enter the preseason at No. 3 in the power rankings.