ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season

ACC Basketball is now bigger than ever, thanks to a trio of team additions (Stanford, Cal, and SMU). They and the 15 others have completely retooled their respective rosters for the 2024-25 campaign. There are a couple of clear preseason contenders, as well as some teams with plenty to prove in terms of being competitive.

Here's a look at how each ACC team ranks, including the No. 1 team to beat.

18. Boston College Eagles

The Eagles have improved under Coach Earl Grant in the last three years, winning 20 total games last season. But it will be incredibly hard to get better this time, having lost its top five scorers. That includes Quinten Post and guards Claudell Harris and Jaeden Zackery, who transferred out.

So who’s left? The main two returning pieces are Chas Kelley and Donald Hand, who combined to average 8.7 ppg off the bench. Both could be breakout candidates, but need to have big years. They landed Clemson transfer Joshua Beadle, who put up 3.0 ppg in the last two years, along with Dion Brown (19.0 ppg and 7.6 rpg) from UMBC and Roger McFarlane, who produced 14.8 ppg and 8.6 rpg at Southeast Louisiana.

Both guards are great rebounders, and Boston College needs that at the ACC level, considering how little frontcourt depth they have. St. Bonaventure transfer Chad Venning will start at center, but unless he can play 30+ mpg, BC will have no real size when he’s on the bench.

It’s just hard to envision how the Eagles can be good in the ACC but Coach Grant has found ways to keep them competitive. This upcoming season will be the toughest test for him and the team.