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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2. North Carolina Tar Heels

Of the four key components to last season’s ACC Basketball regular-season title team, two (Armando Bacot and Cormac Ryan) ran out of eligibility. Another starter (Harrison Ingram) entered the NBA Draft, while several reserves entered the portal.

But none of that really matters for the Heels because they brought back the reigning ACC Player of the Year, RJ Davis. He led the team with 21.2 ppg and is a preseason All-American and National POY favorite. Point guard Elliot Cadeau is a breakout candidate to watch, too, while 5-star freshmen guards Ian Jackson and Drake Powell are set to have an impact in the rotation.

The big new name for UNC is Cade Tyson, a 6’7 transfer from Belmont who averaged 16.2 ppg on 47% shooting from deep. He’s one of three frontcourt transfers, along with Vanderbilt transfer big man, Ven-Allen Lubin (12.3 ppg and 6.3 rpg). Tyzhaun Claude comes over from Georgia Tech to give them depth, while Jalen Washington and freshman center James Brown look to fit into the rotation.

The Tar Heels project to have one of the best backcourts in the country this season, while the frontcourt has some questions on paper. Still, having Davis on the team is good enough to make them one of the favorites in the ACC this season.

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