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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4. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Last season was a similar campaign in the Coach Steve Forbes era. He finds a couple of breakout transfers and finishes in the top half of the ACC Basketball standings before ultimately missing the cut for the Big Dance. A couple of starters elected to enter the portal this offseason, including guard Kevin Miller and forward Andrew Carr, who were double-digit scorers.

But the guy who stuck around and did not leave for the NBA is Hunter Sallis, who averaged 18.0 ppg on 41% shooting from three-point range. He and Louisville transfer Ty-Laur Johnson (8.7 ppg and 3.6 apg) could be one of the better backcourt duos in the league. The other starters back are Cameron Hildreth (13.8 ppg) and Efton Reid, who’ll be around for an entire season after dealing with eligibility issues the year before.

Joining Reid in the frontcourt is a trio of transfers. Tre’Von Spillers (12.8 ppg and 8.9 rpg) is a 6’7 forward from Appalachian State, while DePaul transfer Churchill Abass provides backup at the center spot. The key guy to watch is Omaha Biliew, a former 5-star prospect who comes over from Iowa State.

Add former top-40 prospect and Alabama transfer Davin Crosby, and you have multiple breakout candidates to watch for the Demon Deacons. With the proven talent they already have, this team has one of the highest ceilings in all of ACC Basketball.

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