The College Basketball season is almost here. To get you ready for it, we are going to be previewing every conference. Today we preview the Atlantic Coast Conference. Let’s dive into the ACC Basketball 2021 preview.
Duke was chosen as the preseason favorite to win the 2021-22 Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Championship, as selected by media members at the 2021 ACC Tipoff event. The Blue Devils earned the distinction for the seventh time in the last nine seasons and were followed in the poll by Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
One of the biggest stories this season will obviously be that it is Mike Krzyzewski’s final season on the sideline. While it’s his last, his rival will have a new coach starting his tenure at North Carolina – Hubert Davis. You have to wonder how this transition will go and how the team will perform.
ACC Basketball – Projected order of standings
- Duke
- North Carolina
- Virginia
- Florida State
- Notre Dame
- Virginia Tech
- Louisville
- Syracuse
- Georgia Tech
- NC State
- Clemson
- Miami
- Wake Forest
- Pittsburgh
- Boston College
ACC Basketball Awards and Post Season
Predicted ACC Championship
Duke over North Carolina
Awards
- Player of the Year – Paolo Banchero, Duke
- Coach of the Year – Mike Krzyzewski, Duke
- Freshman POY – Paolo Banchero, Duke
- Most Overrated Team – Virginia Tech
- Most Underrated Team – Notre Dame
ACC Basketball Team Breakdown
See all of the teams and their schedules here.
Duke
- 2020 Record: 13-11
- Departures: Matthew Hurt (18.3 ppg., 6.2 rpg., 44.4% 3pt.) and DJ Steward (13.0 ppg., 3.9 rpg.) entered the NBA Draft; Jordan Goldwire (5.8 ppg., 4.0 apg., 2.3 spg.) transferred to Oklahoma, Jaemyn Brakefield transferred to Ole Miss, Henry Coleman transferred to Texas A&M, and Patrick Tape transferred to San Francisco
- Major Additions: 6-9 top 5 recruit Paul Banchero, 6-7 top 15 recruit AJ Griffin, 6-5 top 20 recruit Trevor Keels, 6-9 Marquette transfer Theo John, and 6-2 top 100 recruit Jaylen Blakes
Mike Krzyzewski’s final season at the helm should be a successful one. He and his assistants got after in the recruiting trail. They went out and got three five-star recruits with the likely #1 NBA draft pick in Paolo Banchero and A.J, Griffin in the fold. Look for sophomore Mark Williams to have a breakout season. Newcomer Trevor Keels is an straight out scorer. Three starters return include sophomore point guard Jeremy Roach, junior forward Wendell Moore, Jr. and the already mentioned Williams.
North Carolina
- 2020 Record: 18-11
- Departures: Day’Ron Sharpe (9.5 ppg., 7.6 rpg.) was a 1st round pick in the NBA Draft; Sterling Manley graduated and will not return; Walker Kessler (4.4 ppg., 3.2 rpg.) transferred to Auburn, Garrison Brooks (10.2 ppg., 6.9 rpg.) transferred to Mississippi St., Walker Miller transferred to Monmouth, and Andrew Platek transferred to Siena
- Major Additions: 6-11 Marquette transfer Dawson Garcia, 6-8 Virginia transfer Justin McCoy, 6-7 top 70 recruit Dontrez Styles, 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Brady Manek, and 6-4 top 70 recruit D’Marco Dunn
It’s a new era in Chapel Hill, and Hubert Davis. He has a team that can compete for the conference championship if point guard Caleb Love can stay consistent.The feature on this team is inside player Armando Bacot as he returns just over 13 points per game. But they have a few new weapons at their disposal. Freshman Dontrez Styles and D’Marco Dunn will add to the depth along with three top transfer players.
Virginia
- 2020 Record: 18-7
- Departures: Trey Murphy (11.3 ppg., 43.3% 3pt.) was a 1st round pick and Jay Huff (13.0 ppg., 7.1 rpg., 2.6 bpg., 38.7% 3pt.) and Sam Hauser (16.0 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 41.7% 3pt.) entered the NBA Draft; Tomas Woldentensae (41.8% 3pt.) will play professionally overseas; Casey Morsell transferred to NC State, Justin McKoy transferred to North Carolina, and Jabri Abdur-Rahim transferred to Georgia
- Major Additions: 6-4 Indiana transfer Armaan Franklin, 6-7 East Carolina transfer Jayden Gardner, 6-9 European recruit Igor Milicic Jr., and 6-5 top 90 recruit Taine Murray
In Tony Bennett we trust. His cavaliers are loaded with talent. Kihei Clark and Reece Beckman returning, he has added some top recruits with Armaan Franklin and Jaylen Gardner to fill out his squad. Only two post players return from last year with Francisco Caffaro and Kavin Shedrick.
Florida State
- 2020 Record: 18-7
- Departures: Scottie Barnes (10.3 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 4.1 apg., 1.5 spg.) was the 4th overall pick, RaiQuan Gray (11.9 ppg., 6.4 rpg.) and Balsa Koprivica (9.1 ppg., 5.6 rpg., 1.4 bpg.) were 2nd round picks, and M.J. Walker (12.2 ppg., 42.3% 3pt.) entered the NBA Draft; Sardaar Calhoun transferred to Texas Tech and Nate Jack transferred to Cleveland St.
- Major Additions: 6-6 top 25 recruit Matthew Cleveland, 6-4 top 30 recruit Jalen Warley, 6-3 Houston transfer Caleb Mills, 6-6 Kentucky transfer Cam’Ron Fletcher, and 7-1 top 70 recruit John Butler
Leonard Hamilton saw a trio of players, including lottery pick Scottie Barnes, leave early, but the Seminoles are bringing in several impact newcomers — including Houston transfer Caleb Mills.
Notre Dame
- 2020 Record: 11-15
- Departures: Juwan Durham (10.7 ppg., 5.5 rpg., 1.9 bpg.) entered the NBA Draft; Nikola Djogo (5.0 ppg., 3.0 rpg., 40.9% 3pt.) transferred to Northeastern
- Major Additions: 6-10 Yale transfer Paul Atkinson, 6-4 4 star recruit Blake Wesley, and 6-6 4 star recruit J.R. Konieczny
Mike Brey brings back four starters, including the perennially underrated Prentiss Hubb and potential all-league forward Nate Laszewski. The Irish also added Ivy League Player of the Year Paul Atkinson. Head coach Mike Brey has been telling telling talk shows all summer his team is stacked. Three guards each averaged in double figure scoring with Prentiss Hubb leading the team with 14.6 ppg and Dane Goodwin at 11.8 ppg and forward Nate Laszweski had 13.3 ppg. This trio may sneak up on the conference and move up a few spots than where we have them. Stanford transfer Cormac Ryan along with Santa Clara transfer Trey Wertz will round out an experienced squad.
Virginia Tech
- 2020 Record: 15-7
- Departures: Cartier Diarra (7.5 ppg.) entered the NBA Draft; Tyrece Radford (12.2 ppg., 5.9 rpg.) transferred to Texas A&M, Jalen Cone (9.2 ppg., 34.9% 3pt.) transferred to Northern Arizona, and Joe Bamisile transferred to George Washington; Wabissa Bede and Cordell Pemsl graduated and will not return
- Major Additions: 6-0 Wofford transfer Storm Murphy and 6-10 Clemson transfer Lynn Kidd
The early-summer departure of Tyrece Radford likely takes the Hokies out of the ACC title hunt, but Mike Young still has Player of the Year candidate Keve Aluma and Wofford transfer Storm Murphy.
Louisville
- 2020 Record: 13-7
- Departures: David Johnson (12.6 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 3.2 apg., 38.6% 3pt.) was a 2nd round pick and Carlik Jones (16.8 ppg., 4.9 rpg., 4.5 apg.) entered the NBA Draft; Quinn Slazinski (6.2 ppg., 3.6 rpg.) transferred to Iona, Josh Nickelberry transferred to LaSalle, and Aidan Igiehon transferred to Grand Canyon; Charles Minlend graduated and will not return
- Major Additions: 5-11 Marshall transfer Jarrod West, 6-3 Florida transfer Noah Locke, 6-3 top rated junior college transfer Elbert Ellis, 6-7 Miami transfer Matt Cross, 6-8 top 10 junior college transfer Sydney Curry, and 6-10 top 70 recruit Roosevelt Wheeler
The Cardinals should get to the tourney this year but lost two good ones in Carlik Jones and David Johnson. Head Coach Chris Mack has been suspended for six games to begin the season. This could be a cloud hanging over the team all season . It was due to an infraction dealing with an extortion attempt by an assistant coach. Sophomore Jae Lyn Withers returns with his ten points per game. Malike Williams must show improvement.
Syracuse
- 2020 Record: 18-10
- Departures: Alan Griffin (13.3 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 1.6 bpg., 36.1% 3pt.) and Marek Dolezaj (9.8 ppg., 5.1 rpg., 3.3 apg.) entered the NBA Draft; Quincy Guerrier (13.7 ppg., 8.4 rpg.) transferred to Oregon, Kadary Richmond (6.3 ppg., 3.1 apg., 1.6 spg.) transferred to Seton Hall, Robert Braswell transferred to Charlotte, and Woody Newton transferred to Oklahoma State
- Major Additions: 6-8 top 25 recruit Benny Williams, 6-9 Villanova transfer Cole Swider, 6-3 Marquette transfer Symir Torrence, and 6-8 Cornell transfer Jimmy Boeheim
It’s going to be a Boeheim family affair this season, with Jim coaching both Buddy and Jimmy. Coach Boeheim will rely on Buddy Boeheim, a senior, to get as far as they can. However, transfer Jimmy Boeheim from Cornell will also suit up for this father. Joseph Girard III returns for stability. This is a veteran squad and will make some noise in the ACC.
Georgia Tech
- 2020 Record: 17-9
- Departures: Moses Wright (17.4 ppg., 8.0 rpg., 1.5 spg., 1.6 bpg., 41.4% 3pt.) and Jose Alvarado (15.2 ppg., 3.5 rpg., 4.1 apg., 2.8 spg., 39% 3pt.) entered the NBA Draft
- Major Additions: 6-1 Mississippi State transfer Deivon Smith, 6-6 top 50 recruit Dallan Coleman, 6-5 top 90 recruit Miles Kelly, and 6-6 4 star recruit Jalon Moore
The Yellow Jackets were one of the pleasant surprises nationally last season, but Moses Wright and Jose Alvarado are gone. That puts a lot on the shoulders of Michael Devoe. I wouldn’t expect a NCAA bid this year, I would say the NIT is their ceiling.
NC State
- 2020 Record: 14-11
- Departures: Devon Daniels (16.5 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 3.3 apg., 1.7 spg., 34.5% 3pt.) graduated and will not return; DJ Funderburk (12.6 ppg., 5.6 rpg.) entered the NBA Draft; Shakeel Moore (6.8 ppg., 1.4 spg. in 18.5 mpg.) transferred to Mississippi St., Braxton Beverly (7.0 ppg., 40% 3pt.) transferred to Eastern Kentucky, and Nick Farrar transferred to Charleston
- Major Additions: 6-9 top 60 recruit Ernest Ross, 6-3 Virginia transfer Casey Morsell, 6-3 top 90 recruit Terquavion Smith, and 6-8 Providence transfer Greg Gantt (4.0 ppg., 3.1 rpg.), 5-11 4 star recruit Breon Pass
Under Kevin Keatts, the Wolfpack have hovered around the .500 mark in league play every season. They need to take the next step — but who will take on a bigger role in the backcourt? There are a lot of holes in this roster with most help needed in backcourt. Coach Kevin Keatts needs to rely on Manny Bates and Jericole Hellems to lead this squad.
Clemson
- 2020 Record: 16-8
- Departures: Aamir Simms (13.4 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 2.7 apg., 40% 3pt.) and Jonathan Baehre (3.4 rpg.) entered the NBA Draft; Olivier-Maxence Prosper transferred to Marquette, Clyde Trapp (7.3 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 35.1% 3pt.) transferred to Charlotte, John Newman transferred to Cincinnati, and Lynn Kidd transferred to Virginia Tech
- Major Additions: 6-4 South Florida transfer David Collins, 6-6 Youngstown St. transfer Naz Bohannon, and 6-3 4 star recruit Joshua Beadle
The Tigers haven’t finished below .500 overall since 2013, but Brad Brownell will have to work his magic this season to prevent a decline. They have a formidable perimeter group, but not much proven production up front. Aami Simms is gone. It is time for PJ Hall to have a breakout year. South Florida transfer David Collins should help the team score. This team is a bit above average in the perimeter This team will need to know how to defend in this league to win.
Miami
- 2020 Record: 10-17
- Departures: Earl Timberlake (9.3 ppg., 5.0 rpg., 1.7 spg.) transferred to Memphis, Chris Lykes (15.5 ppg., 4.0 rpg., 5.5 apg., 2.0 spg., 45.5% 3pt.) transferred to Arkansas, Nysier Brooks (7.4 ppg., 5.8 rpg.) transferred to Ole Miss, and Elijah Olaniyi (10.5 ppg., 5.1 rpg.) transferred back to Stony Brook
- Major Additions: 6-6 George Mason transfer Jordan Miller, 5-11 DePaul transfer Charlie Moore, 6-4 top 75 recruit Jakai Robinson, 6-1 top 100 recruit Bensley Joseph, and 6-4 4 star recruit Nisine Poplar
Expect a potential jump from the Hurricanes. They’re loaded on the perimeter, with Isaiah Wong perhaps the best backcourt player in the league. They also return some experience. Kameron McGusty come back with 13 points per game. DePaul transfer Charlie Moore will bring in some scoring and defensive help. This is a team that could make some noise for coach Jim Larranaga.
Wake Forest
- 2020 Record: 6-16
- Departures: Ian DuBose (10.9 ppg., 4.6 rpg., 36.1% 3pt.) and Jonah Antonio (6.4 ppg., 40% 3pt.) entered the NBA Draft; Ismael Massoud (8.3 ppg., 3.4 rpg.) transferred to Kansas State, Ody Oguama (7.6 ppg, 5.4 rpg.) transferred to Cincinnati, Jahcobi Neath transferred to Wisconsin, Jalen Johnson (5.0 ppg.) transferred to Mercer, Emmanuel Okpomo transferred to Temple, and Isaiah Wilkins transferred to Longwood
- Major Additions: 6-6 East Tennessee State transfer Damari Monsanto, 6-10 Ole Miss transfer Khadim Sy, 6-5 Oklahoma transfer Alondes Williams, 6-6 4 star recruit Lucas Taylor, 6-4 4 star recruit Cameron Hildreth, 6-9 Indiana St. transfer Jake LaRavia, 7-1 European recruit Matthew Marsh, and 7-0 Colorado transfer Dallas Walton
Steve Forbes had as much roster turnover as anyone in the country in the offseason, but there’s optimism with three returning double-figure scorers and four incoming transfers. Center Tariq Ingraham scores 11 ppg, guard Davien Williamson led with 12.9 ppg. Isaiah Mucius will need to show he can defend and help the rest of the team. No likely postseason here.
Pittsburgh
- 2020 Record: 10-12
- Departures: Justin Champagnie (18.0 ppg., 11.1 rpg., 1.3 bpg.) entered the NBA Draft; Xavier Johnson (14.2 ppg., 3.4 rpg., 5.7 apg.) transferred to Indiana, Au’Diese Toney (14.4 ppg., 5.9 rpg.) transferred to Arkansas, Abdoul Karim Coulibaly (5.2 ppg., 3.9 rpg.) transferred to St. Bonaventure, Terrell Brown transferred to San Diego, and Gerald Drumgoole transferred to Albany
- Major Additions: 6-4 Texas Tech transfer Jamarius Burton, 6-9 Stony Brook transfer Mouhamadou Gueye, 6-7 Oakland transfer Daniel Oladapo (12.9 ppg., 8.8 rpg.)
Jeff Capel faces an uphill battle. The Panthers fell apart in the final six weeks of the season, then lost their three best players — including all-league forward Justin Champagnie. It is a big hill to climb for coach Jeff Capel to succeed this season in the conference. They lost their best three players. Transfer Jamarius Burton from Texas Tech may helps a bit.
Boston College
- 2020 Record: 4-16
- Departures: Steffon Mitchell (9.1 ppg., 7.3 rpg.) entered the NBA Draft; Jay Heath (14.5 ppg., 35.0% 3pt.) transferred to Arizona State, CJ Felder (9.7 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 2.2 bpg.) transferred to Florida, Wynston Tabbs (13.3 ppg., 39.7% 3pt.) transferred to East Carolina, Rich Kelly (11.0 ppg., 37.2% 3pt.) transferred to UMass, and Kamari Williams transferred to Miami (Ohio); Luka Kraljevic also entered the transfer portal
- Major Additions: 6-2 College of Charleston transfer Brevin Galloway, 4 star recruit Gianni Thompson, 6-9 Drexel transfer T.J. Bickerstaff, 7-0 Mississippi St. transfer Quinten Post, and 6-1 junior college transfer Jaeden Zackery
Welcome to Chestnut Hill, Earl Grant. The former Charleston head coach takes over the toughest job in the league; the Eagles haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2009. Top two scorers each transferred as Jay Heath and Wynston Tabbs headed out the door. The Eagle allowed 79.5 point per game to their opponents last season. Defense must improve.
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