ACC Basketball: Louisville, Wake Forest rise in updated way-too-early ranking for 2024-25

5. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

In ACC Basketball, there was one major NBA Draft decision to watch for. That was Hunter Sallis, the breakout transfer star last season, who led the team with 18.0 ppg on 41% shooting from deep. With backcourt mate Kevin Miller having already left for SMU, Sallis leaving would’ve been brutal for the team’s hopes of competing.

The good news is that Sallis is back and will be a preseason contender for Conference Player of the Year. Joining him in the backcourt is Ty-Laur Johnson, who had a good freshman campaign at Louisville. Davin Cosby is a former four-star prospect coming over from Alabama for more playing time, while sharpshooter Cameron Hildreth (13.8 ppg) also returns to the backcourt.

Starting center Efton Reid is back and able to play a full season, backed up by DePaul transfer, Churchill Abass. The key is replacing stretch forward Andrew Carr. Tre’Von Spillers comes from Applachian State (12.8 ppg and 8.9 rpg), while Omaha Biliew is a former 5-star prospect from Iowa State who didn’t play much last season and is looking for a larger role.

If Biliew becomes the next breakout star developed by Coach Steve Forbes, Wake Forest will once again be a top-half team in the ACC. With Sallis back, they can’t afford to make the NCAA Tournament this time around because there’s simply too much talent to waste.