ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season

9. Virginia Cavaliers

Coach Tony Bennett is one of the few active national champion head coaches in the sport. But is his team trending downward? After scoring just 42 points in a blowout loss to Colorado State, the Cavaliers lost multiple starters, including Jacob Groves, Ryan Dunn, and Reece Beekman, the four-year starter who led them with 14.3 ppg and 6.2 apg last season.

Who is back is Isaac McKneely, who averaged 12.3 ppg on 45% shooting from deep. He’s set to be the go-to option for the Cavaliers, along with returning guards Andrew Rohde, Taine Murray, Dante Harris, and Elijah Gertrude. Former FSU starter Jalen Warley is Beekman’s replacement, while K-State transfer Dai Dai Ames adds another ball-handler to the roster.

One of the most important transfers in the ACC is TJ Power, a former 5-star prospect and former Duke Blue Devil. He’s set to have a large role as the starting forward, and if he breaks out, the Cavaliers will have enough offense to compete in the league.

San Diego State transfer Elijah Saunders adds to the frontcourt depth, while centers Blake Buchanan and Anthony Robinson are in their second years in the program. The respect for Coach Bennett is enough to have them as a top-half team, but there are definite questions regarding this roster’s potency.