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

3. Miami Hurricanes

After a miserable end to last season, Miami’s roster went through some big chances. Starting center Norchad Omier and guards Bensley Joseph and Wooga Poplar transferred out, while freshman Kyshawn George decided to enter the NBA Draft and very well could be a first round pick.

There are two returning starters that should keep Miami viable in Nijel Pack and Matthew Cleveland, who each averaged 13+ ppg. Joining them is a mix of talented senior transfers and arguably the best incoming freshmen class outside of the state of North Carolina.

Joining the backcourt is Jalen Blackmon, a 6’3 guard who averaged over 21 ppg at Stetson. AJ Staton-McCray is a double-digit scorer from Samford, who both shot over 40% from deep and also was an all-league defender in the SoCon. Lynn Kidd is a 6’10 center who comes over from Virginia Tech, while Brandon Johnson (14.0 ppg and 8.6 rpg) is a 6’8 forward from ECU who adds needed size and scoring at the four-spot.

5-star freshman guard Jalil Bethea could be the next “one and done” player to the NBA, while Austin Swartz and Isaiah Johnson-Arigu are wings to watch. Expecting the Hurricanes to make a jump from the bottom to the top-tier in the ACC may be a big leap but there’s too much talent not to expect a bounce-back campaign from this program.