ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season

Mar 9, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard RJ Davis (4) controls the ball in front of Duke Blue Devils guard Tyrese Proctor (5) during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

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8. Clemson Tigers

Last season was considered a “make it or break it” campaign for Coach Brad Brownell. It worked out in his and Clemson’s favor, making it to the Elite 8, including a pair of upsets in the NCAA Tournament. They were led by All-ACC performers PJ Hall and Joseph Girard, who led the team in scoring. They’re gone, along with rotation players Jack Clark and Joshua Beadle.

One player who was originally also thought to leave was veteran guard Chase Hunter (12.9 ppg and 3.2 apg), but he’s back for a 5th year. Joining him in the backcourt is Jaeden Zackery, who averaged 11.3 ppg and 4.2 apg at Boston College. Jake Heidbreder redshirted last year but averaged 15 ppg at Air Force the season prior, with freshmen guards Ace Buckner and Del Jones providing perimeter depth.

The other key returning piece on the team is Ian Schieffelin, who nearly averaged a double-double as a breakout junior. A trio of transfers joins him in forward Myles Foster (Illinois State) and centers Viktor Lakhin (Cincy) and Christian Reeves (Duke). Schieffelin shot 47% from deep on 48 attempts but will need to be even more of a floor spacer to make this new-look frontcourt work.

The duo of Hunter and Schieffelin will be good enough to keep Clemson competitive in the ACC this season. But do they have enough upset to compete for a top-4 spot? Or could they be in line for a letdown after last year’s breakthrough?

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