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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3. Miami Hurricanes

When it comes to preseason expectations a year ago, there was no bigger disappointment in ACC Basketball than Miami, who went from a top-25 team to second-to-last in the standings despite having four players averaging 13+ ppg. Two of them (Wooga Poplar and Norchad Omier) transferred out, and starting guard Bensley Joseph and Kyshawn George, who went to the NBA after one year.

The two starters who are back are Nijel Pack, one of the best shooters in the country, and Matthew Cleveland, the combo forward who averaged 13.7 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Joining them is one of the better transfer/recruiting classes this offseason. The new frontcourt includes a pair of double-digit scoring forwards in Brandon Johnson (ECU) and Lynn Kidd (VT), who have size and defensive upside.

The backcourt has a chance to be even more potent this time around. Jalen Blackmon averaged over 21 ppg at Stetson and was one of the top scorers in the nation, while AJ Staton-McCray is a two-way guard who shot over 40% at Samford. The top-15 incoming recruiting class includes Jalil Bethea, a top-10 overall freshman prospect and combo guard who should play well with Pack in the backcourt.

Coach Jim Larranaga isn’t likely to have two down years in a row, and once again, this roster on paper is too good to fail. If this group doesn’t make the NCAA Tournament, then the Hurricanes have some issues.

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