If you have not done so yet, make sure you check out the season’s first Bracket Racket here: https://hoopshd.com/2014/11/10/hoops-hd-bracket-racket-11092014/
Last March was not a good one for the ACC. Despite putting six teams into the NCAA tournament, including #1 seed Virginia, #3 seed Syracuse and #5 seed Duke (in addition to North Carolina, Pittsburgh and North Carolina State), only Virginia survived the first weekend of the tournament, and the Cavaliers fell in the regional semifinal round to Michigan State. In fact, arguably the most successful teams from the ACC in postseason play were Clemson and Florida State, both of whom lost in the semifinals of the NIT. Regardless, if the ACC truly wants to claim the mantle as the best conference in college basketball, its teams will need to perform a lot better in the NCAA tournament this year.
The ACC has upgraded its roster of schools this season by saying farewell to Maryland (off to the Big Ten) and welcoming in former Big East (and for one season American Athletic Conference) member Louisville. The Cardinals won the NCAA championship two seasons ago and head coach Rick Pitino is among the elite coaches in the entire nation. Louisville did follow-up their 2013 national championship with a run to the Sweet 16 last season, but fell there to eventual national runner-up Kentucky.
As far as this season goes, the clear favorite to win the ACC is the Duke Blue Devils. Coach K’s team returns three starters and adds one of the most talented recruiting classes in the nation, headlined by Jahlil Okafor, rated by many as the #1 recruit in the entire country. The North Carolina Tar Heels, if they can avoid off-court distractions including an ongoing NCAA inquiry, do appear to have the talent to contend for the conference title as well. Virginia, Florida State, Louisville, Miami, Syracuse and Pittsburgh could all be in the running for at-large bids also. Finally, be certain to keep an eye on Virginia Tech, where Buzz Williams takes over as head coach and should have this Hokies vastly improved from last season’s 9-22 record.
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Duke: With Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, Amile Jefferson, and top recruits such as Okafor and Tyus Jones, the sky is the limit for the Blue Devils. Perhaps the only question is whether or not they are too young — but we seem to ask that of the top teams in the nation at this time every season.
2. North Carolina: Assuming the off-court issues stay off the court, the talent is here for a vast improvement on last season (which was a very solid 24-10 and 13-5 in the ACC). Marcus Paige, Brice Johnson, J.P. Tokoto and Kennedy Meeks should all excel.
3. Virginia: While Joe Harris may be gone, there is no reason the Cavaliers will not be right up among the league leaders again this season. Malcolm Brogdon, London Perrantes and Justin Anderson should lead the way.
4. Florida State: The Seminoles have three seven-footers on their roster this season — Kiel Turpin, Boris Bojanovsky and Michael Ojo. They also have a solid backcourt with Devon Bookert, Montay Brandon and Aaron Thomas. All the tools appear to be there for the ‘noles to not only be an NCAA tournament team but to potentially be in the race for the ACC title as well.
5. Louisville: Montrezl Harrell passed on the NBA draft and Wayne Blackshear may finally be ready to become a top-level scorer. All that being said, the losses of Russ Smith and Luke Hancock off of last season’s squad will make contending for the ACC title in their first trip through the conference difficult.
6. Miami: A pair of transfers, Sheldon McClellan from Texas and Angel Rodriguez from Kansas State, could make the Hurricanes a surprise upper division finisher this year. Nigerian big man Tonye Jekiri’s ability to improve his game could be the key to the season.
7. Syracuse: The Orange are dealing with off-court issues and lost their top four scorers from last season’s team, meaning a step back in the standings is likely. Trevor Cooney and Rakeem Christmas are still around, but freshman Kaleb Joseph will need to run the show from the point. ACC title contention seems unlikely, but it is tough to imagine Jim Boeheim not finding a way to put this team into the NCAA tournament.
8. Pittsburgh: The Panthers have been known for years as a team that wins with its defense, but seemed to go away from that trait fairly successfully last year. With their top two scorers gone, Pitt will need to return to reliance on D to succeed this year, led by Cameron Wright and Durand Johnson who is trying to return from a torn ACL.
9. Virginia Tech: While an NCAA bid would be a shock in Buzz Williams’ first year in Blacksburg, the Hokies should have a solid backcourt with Adam Smith, Devin Wilson and Ben Emelogu. The frontcourt is going to be a different story altogether.
10. Notre Dame: Jerian Grant and Pat Connaughton should both be lighting up the scoreboard and filling out the stat sheets this season. Unfortunately for the Irish, the game is not played two-on-two.
11. North Carolina State: Mark Gottfried’s team will take a step back this season with the loss of T.J. Warren. Look for Trevor Lacey and Ralston Turner to try to pick up the scoring slack.
12. Clemson: K.J. McDaniels is gone and the pieces do not to appear to be here to replace him. The health of Jarod Blossongame could be the key if the Tigers want to be back in postseason play again this year.
13. Georgia Tech: Brian Gregory is definitely on the hot seat this year, and will need Marcus Georges-Hunt, Robert Sampson (Ralph’s son), and freshman Tedric Jackson to all excel if he wants the Yellow Jackets to move up in the standings — and if he wants to keep his job.
14. Wake Forest: Danny Manning takes over as head coach and does have a few pieces here with Codi Miller-McIntyre, Devin Thomas and Darius Leonard. It may not be this year, but with Leonard being the only senior, it would not be a shock to see the Demon Deacons rise in the standings soon.
15. Boston College: Olivier Hanlan may arguably be the best wing in the ACC. Unfortunately for new head coach Jim Christian, there is not much else on the roster beyond him.