Early Rankings for ACC Basketball in the 2016-17 Season

By Reed Hunnicutt

The ACC is losing a lot of talent to the NBA, but a deep freshmen class and talented transfers will help maintain the reputation as one of the best conferences in America next year. They should start the year off with at least five top-25 teams, and could easily end the year with six or seven. Some teams are going to be in rebuild mode, while others are already in a good position to compete. A lot could and probably will change before the year begins, but for now, this is where I rank the teams in the ACC. The (*) indicates a projected starter for next year.

Early Rankings for ACC Basketball in the 2016-17 Season

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Georgia Tech – Projected Rotation: Josh Heath*, Tadric Jackson*, Quinton Stephens*, Romello White*, Ben Lammers*, Travis Jorgenson, Sylvester Ogbonda — It’s not just the fact that they lost a lot, it’s the fact that they don’t really have anything to replace what they lost. I think Romello White is going to be a solid player, and Jackson should be better with fewer restraints, but overall Georgia Tech is going to struggle if they don't have a very productive summer.

Boston College – Projected Rotation: Jerome Robinson*, Ty Graves*, AJ Turner*, Connar Tava*, Garland Owens*, Matt Milon, Ervins Meznieks, Mike Sagay, Sammy Barnes-Thompkins — The Eagles can’t have any worse of a season in conference after going all defeated. I think the addition of versatile Western Michigan transfer Connar Tava should help, and the young players got plenty of experience last year. This is still a bad team, but they will be better.

NC State – Projected Rotation: Dennis Smith*, Maverick Rowan*, Torin Dorn*, Abdul-Malik Abu*, BeeJay Anya*, Terry Henderson, Lennard Freeman, Shaun Kirk — The loss of Cat Barber was expected, but the transfers of the Martin twins is a huge blow. Thankfully, transfer Torin Dorn can make up for the scoring lost while Rowan, Henderson and Abu make up the other big offensive options. Elite point guard Dennis Smith could be star next year, and spending this semester on campus should only help.

Wake Forest – Projected Rotation: Bryant Crawford*, Mitchell Wilbekin*, Greg McClinton*, Konstantinos Mitoglou*, John Collins*, Doral Moore, Brandon Childress — The Demon Deacons lost a lot of experience last year, so this may be a transition year for the program. They will have two dynamic guards in Bryant Crawford and incoming freshman Brandon Childress to go along with some developing post players. While not an NCAA Tournament team, they could still make some noise.

Virginia Tech – Projected Rotation: Justin Robinson*, Seth Allen*, Justin Bibbs*, Chris Clarke*, Zach LeDay*, Kerry Blackshear, Devin Wilson — Buzz Williams turned the program around last year and returns the top players from the team. Given the shocking transfers that have occurred, the Hokies will be thin on the bench. Still, the combination of Allen, Bibbs and LeDay will put Virginia Tech in a position to have another 20-win season.

Florida State – Projected Rotation: Xavier Rathan-Mayes*, Dwayne Bacon* Terrance Mann*, Jonathan Isaac*, Jarquez Smith*, Benji Bell, Trent Forrest, Phil Cofer, Chris Koumadje, C.J. Walker — Losing Malik Beasley was tough, but bringing back Bacon and adding 5-star Jonathan Isaac will ease the wound for the Seminoles. The depth of their backcourt will give Leonard Hamilton plenty of lineups to play with. Without an established post presence, the guard play and contributions from Isaac will determine Florida State’s fate.

Miami – Projected Rotation: Ja’Quan Newton*, Davon Reed*, Rashad Muhammad*, Anthony Lawrence Jr.*, Dewan Huell*, Bruce Brown, Rodney Miller — Jim Larranaga is going to have a much younger team than he is used to. Shabazz Muhammad’s brother, Rashad, should be a big help after averaging 13.9 points at San Jose State a season ago. Newton and Reed will be a reliable backcourt, but the speed of adjustment for the young post players will be key.

Louisville – Projected Rotation: Quentin Snider*, Donovan Mitchell*, Deng Abel*, Raymond Spalding*, Chinanu Onuaku*, Tony Hicks, Mangok Mathiang, V.J. King, Jaylen Johnson — Onuaku could very well get a good review from NBA personnel and decide to stay in the draft. I am guessing that he still decides to come back for another year to anchor a young team in the middle of a scandal. Penn transfer Tony Hicks and coveted recruit V.J. King should provide instant offense for Rick Pitino, even if they are banned from the postseason.

Projected Rotation: Matt Farrell*, Steve Vasturia*, Rex Pflueger*, V.J. Beachem*, Bonzie Colson*, Matt Ryan, Elijah Burns, Temple Gibbs, Martin Geben, John Mooney — Notre Dame is going to lack that takeover talent that they are used to, but they will have enough capable talent to compete. Barring a commitment from Jarrett Allen, they will be undersized at every position, so the development of Burns and Geben will be important. Beachem should become one of the ACC’s top scorers, and the offense will be balanced again, but the team will need to find someone who can create their own shot.

Clemson – Projected Rotation: Avry Holmes*, Marcquise Reed*, Donte Grantham*, Jaron Blossomgame*, Sidy Djitte*, Sheldon Mitchell, Gabe DeVoe, Scott Spencer — Obviously if Blossomgame goes pro, you can throw this ranking out of the window. If he returns, the Tigers have one of the strongest offensive teams in recent memory. Transfers Marcquise Reed (Robert Morris) and Sheldon Mitchell (Vanderbilt) are going to have an immediate impact on the program and Blossomgame is a superstar at this level.

Syracuse – Projected Rotation: Franklin Howard*, Malachi Richardson*, Tyler Lydon*, Tyler Roberson*, Pascal Chukwu*, Tyus Battle, Chinonso Okoboh, Matthew Moyer — Franklin Howard is capable of taking the next step forward as a primary ball-handler to allow this team to reach its full potential. Playing 7-foot-2 Pascal Chukwu in the middle of the zone will allow Lydon to get more time at the wing, where he could play at the next level. Richardson and Lydon are both future pros who could take Syracuse deep again.

Pittsburgh – Projected Rotation: Damon Wilson*, Cameron Johnson*, Jamel Artis*, Michael Young*, Sheldon Jeter*, Chris Jones, Ryan Luther, Justice Kithcart — New coach Kevin Stallings will have an easier transition coaching an experienced duo like Artis and Young. A big question will be the point guard position, which will have two talented, but inexperienced options in Damon Wilson and Justice Kithcart. If they find stability at point, the Panthers have all of the pieces to finish near the top of the conference.

Virginia – Projected Rotation: London Perrantes*, Devon Hall*, Darius Thompson*, Isaiah Wilkins*, Austin Nichols*, Kyle Guy, Marial Shayok, Jack Salt, Jarred Reuter — Even with the loss of a terrific senior class, the Cavaliers should remain as an elite ACC team. London Perrantes will be a strong candidate for ACC Player of the Year and Memphis transfer Austin Nichols will be a dominant paint presence. They will be a defensive powerhouse again and freshman Kyle Guy will be a big-time scorer off the bench. Also, look for big man Jack Salt to grow into a force down low.

North Carolina – Projected Rotation: Joel Berry*, Justin Jackson*, Theo Pinson*, Isaiah Hicks*, Kennedy Meeks*, Tony Bradley, Nate Britt, Kenny Williams, Luke Maye — This ranking obviously depends on the NBA decisions of the starters, who would all be wise to return to school. Berry and Hicks are going to be All-ACC players next year with increased touches. There is enough returning talent from the championship team to make another deep playoff run. The play of the freshmen and sophomores will determine how far they go, especially incoming center Tony Bradley.

Duke – Projected Rotation: Grayson Allen*, Luke Kennard*, Jayson Tatum*, Harry Giles*, Amile Jefferson*, Matt Jones, Frank Jackson, Chase Jeter — The Blue Devils bring in the top recruiting class led by superstar freshman Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles. The return of Grayson Allen will give Duke the most explosive offensive lineup in the country, assuming Giles recovers from his ACL injury. Derryck Thornton’s transfer will again leave Duke with one true point guard, but a deeper bench and more talent will make them a top-5 team.

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