ACC Basketball: Early reactions to 2024-25 preseason top 25 rankings

Who still has work to do?

Clemson Tigers

The Clemson Tigers are one squad in the ACC who could use the Preseason Top 25 Rankings as early fuel. The Tigers received nine votes in the early selection process, but it's worth noting they finished 19th in last year's final AP Top 25 Rankings.

They return Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin as well as Chauncey Wiggins and Dillon Hunter while adding Jaeden Zackery (Boston College), Viktor Lakhin (Cincinnati), Myles Foster (Illinois State) and Jake Heidbreder (Air Force) from the transfer portal. It also helps Heidbreder redshirted the 2023-24 season and spent the entire season with the Tigers. After finishing in the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament this past season, the Tigers are still considered a threat in the conference to make this year's field under head coach Brad Brownell.

Louisville

Year 1 under head coach Pat Kelsey already comes with some added pressure. The Louisville Cardinals received four votes from the AP in the Preseason Top 25 Rankings. They've already gotten the attention of a few with their revamped roster led by Terrence Edwards Jr. (James Madison), Kasean Pryor (South Florida) and Reyne Smith (Charleston). Those are just three of the 12 additions from the transfer portal for the Cardinals as they look to turn things around under Coach Kelsey in 2024-25.

It will be interesting to see how their new faces adjust to the conference. Transitioning into the high-major ranks is never easy, as the thematic phrase "There's no such thing as an easy conference game" looms large.