ACC Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2024-25 season

1. Duke Blue Devils

2023-24 season record: 27-9 (15-5 ACC)

For those who say that the transfer portal is now the “wild wild west”, Duke may be the best example of it. Not even they are immune of its impact, with seven players entering the portal. That includes starters Jeremy Roach and Mark Mitchell, along with former 5-star bench players, TJ Power and Sean Stewart.

But the Blue Devils aren’t without returning talent. Tyrese Proctor is the lone double-digit scorer (10.5 ppg and 3.7 apg) to run the offense, joined by former five-star guard prospect, Caleb Foster. And the team recently landed a pair of forward transfers from the portal in Purdue’s Mason Gillis and Maliq Brown, who averaged 9.5 ppg and 7.2 rpg and earned all-defense in the ACC.

Ultimately, how good Duke will be next year will once again come down to how good the incoming No. 1 overall recruiting class is. There are five top-20 prospects, led by No. 1 prospect, Cooper Flagg. He’s viewed as a possible superstar in NCAA Basketball and possibly the best player in the sport. Joining him is center Khaman Maluach, wings Isaiah Evans and Kon Knueppel and guard Darren Harris.

We’ll see how good this group is overall and they still have four spots to fill in the coming weeks. Expect them to find more veterans from the portal to round out the rotation to solidify the roster but right now, they’re the clear team to beat in the ACC.