ACC Basketball: Preseason power rankings for 2024-25 season

6. Pittsburgh Panthers 

The Panthers had two of the country's most entertaining players last season in freshman guard Bub Carrington and leading scorer Blake Hinson, both of whom are off to the NBA. Starting center Federiko Federiko and backup forward William Jeffress also transferred out.

However, Pittsburgh does bring back its other freshman starter from last year, Jaland Lowe. He was a double-digit scorer once inserted into the lineup and has been the consensus breakout candidate to watch in the ACC. Also back is Ish Leggett (12.3 ppg and 5.5 rpg), last season’s ACC Basketball 6th Man of the Year. Damian Dunn is a veteran guard scoring transfer from Houston, while four-star freshman Brandin Cummings gives them backcourt depth.

Zack Austin and Guillermo Diaz-Graham are back after starting for Pitt in the frontcourt, with Jorge Diaz-Graham and freshman Papa Kante returning after dealing with injuries last season. The likely starting center will be Cam Corhen, a transfer from FSU who averaged 9.4 ppg in 21 mpg off the bench and could be primed for a breakout campaign as Pitt’s full-time starter.

There’s plenty of offensive potential on this roster, and if Lowe has a big second year, the Panthers could be destined to get back to the NCAA Tournament. But health, something they’re already dealing with when it comes to freshman wing Amsal Delalic, is always an obstacle for the program.