ACC Basketball: Top 5 matchups of opening league slate for 2024-25 season

Last season, it was the UNC Tar Heels who won the ACC Basketball regular season title with a 17-3 record. On the flip side, Louisville finished last at 3-17 in league play. The expectations are that things will change for not only the Cardinals but for many other teams in the conference.

On Tuesday, the ACC schedule will be out for the 18 programs, including the three newcomers (SMU, Cal, Stanford). But we got an early glimpse on Monday, with the opening games released on December 7th and 8th.

Here's a look at the five most intriguing games among the openers.

5. Syracuse at Notre Dame

Neither team made the NCAA Tournament last season but both have potential to make noise. Markus Burton is a potential ACC POY candidate, while Syracuse without Judah Mintz is a key storyline to watch. This will be a good test to see how much the Fighting Irish improved.

4. Virginia at SMU

Cal and Stanford will battle in a west-coast ACC matchup, with the other newcomer (SMU) hosting Coach Tony Bennett and Virginia. The Mustangs had a big offseason, rebuilding its entire roster to be competitive in the league. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are without do-it-all guard Reece Beekman but hopes Duke transfer TJ Power will be a breakout star and lead offensive option for them this year.

3. GT at UNC

One "sleeper" team to watch in ACC Basketball is Georgia Tech, who returns the sophomore duo of Naithan George and Baye Ndondgo. Plus, landing Oklahoma transfer Javian McCollum gives them more firepower in the backcourt. They have a massive test to start out league play at North Carolina, who returns ACC Player of the Year star, RJ Davis. The Yellow Jackets won last year's only matchup between them at home but will have to do it in Chapel Hill this time around.

2. Clemson at Miami

Miami was the biggest disappointment last season in the ACC, finishing in the bottom-tier despite having so much talent. The roster has been re-tooled but the Hurricanes have top-25 talent again, led by Nijel Pack and Matthew Cleveland, along with incoming 5-star guard prospect, Jalil Bethea. Clemson doesn't have star big man PJ Hall but does have Chase Hunter and Ian Schieffelin back, along with BC transfer, Jaeden Zackery. On paper, this could be the most even matchup among the early league games.

1. Duke at Louisville

Any game involving Duke typically will be notable but this will also be the first ACC game for Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall incoming prospect. The preseason top-10 team will be a favorite to win the conference but has a true road game to start things out against one of the most intruiging teams in all of NCAA Basketball.

After two awful years of finishing last in the conference, Louisville has changed everything, including adding head coach Pat Kelsey. The rebuilt roster includes several transfers, most notably Terrence Edwards, Chucky Hepburn, Kasean Pryor, and J'vonne Hadley. If this team is as good as advertised, they can give Duke a hard time at home.