Duke has sights on 6, Louisville starts on sour note

Life is thriving in Durham, with Duke basketball making headlines once again. The team recently secured a commitment from Cooper Flagg, the number one high school player in the nation. As they gear up for the upcoming season, the Blue Devils are poised to be strong contenders for the national championship. But they’re not the only ones. North Carolina is eager for a bounce-back season, Virginia remains a consistent force, and Miami carried the ACC during the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Let’s take a closer look at the power rankings heading into the 2023-24 season.

1. Duke
Coach K made a brilliant decision by fostering a program that shows no signs of slowing down. His protégé, Jon Scheyer, continues to recruit top talent, and the current squad looks more than capable of hoisting a sixth national title banner in the Cameron Indoor Stadium.

2. Miami
Despite a relatively weak season for the league, the Canes stood out with their impressive Final Four appearance. Under the guidance of Coach L, Miami has become a formidable force on the court. With returning players Nijel Pack and Norchad Omier, they’ll be aiming to replicate their success.

3. North Carolina
Hubert Davis faced some ups and downs in his first two seasons as the Tar Heels’ coach. However, with the opportunity to shape his own team this year, he’s optimistic about the future. The return of RJ Davis and Armando Bacot, along with the addition of Elliot Cadeau, should help North Carolina turn things around.

Tony Bennett, the mastermind behind Virginia’s consistent success, has cracked the code to remain among the league’s top teams. With the steady leadership of Reece Beekman, a standout All-ACC player, the Hoos are primed for another strong season.

5. Clemson
While Spartanburg may be displeased with the football team, there’s reason to be excited about Brad Brownell’s basketball squad. PJ Hall and Joe Girard will be key contributors, giving fans a temporary reprieve from their football woes.

6. Wake Forest
This could be the year Steve Forbes leads the Demon Deacons back to the NCAA Tournament. With the addition of highly talented Gonzaga transfer Hunter Sallis, combined with returning starters Cam Hildreth and Andrew Carr, Wake Forest showcased their potential in an impressive exhibition win against Alabama.

7. NC State
With eight new players, it’s hard to say how the Wolfpack will fare this season. Kevin Keatts has had success in the transfer portal in the past, but replacing four of the top six scorers is no easy task. The team will be looking to DJ Burns, affectionately known as “the mayor of Raleigh,” to step up.

The Hokies started off strong last season but fizzled out towards the end. However, they possess two of the most talented guards in the league: Hunter Cattoor and Sean Pedulla. Expect coach Mike Young’s team to at least be in the bubble conversation.

The Seminoles had a disappointing season plagued by injuries. But perhaps the success of the FSU football team can inspire the basketball team to turn things around under Leonard Hamilton’s guidance.

10. Syracuse
In a surprising twist, legendary coach Jim Boeheim will transition to the media side as a member of ESPN and Westwood One. Adrian Autry takes over as head coach, and despite some adjustments that need to be made, they have a solid duo of guards to rely on.

The Panthers had an impressive backcourt last season, but with those players gone, it’s up to Blake Hinson to shoulder a larger scoring load. During last year’s NCAA Tournament, Pitt’s guards propelled them to victory, and coach Jeff Capel has bolstered the team with transfers. It remains to be seen if they can replicate their success.

The Eagles have struggled to reach the NCAA Tournament since 2009. Coming off five consecutive losing seasons, Boston College will look to Quinten Post for leadership as they strive to turn their fortunes around under Earl Grant.

Damon Stoudamire, with his extensive experience as both a player and coach, is poised to bring back the excitement that surrounded the program’s ACC Tournament victory in 2021. Following successful stints at Pacific and with the Boston Celtics, Stoudamire has the ability to reignite the buzz in Atlanta.

14. Notre Dame
Micah Shrewsberry faces a challenging debut season at South Bend, as the Fighting Irish lost all five of their starters. While Shrewsberry has proven himself as a skilled coach, rebuilding won’t be an easy task.

Exhibition games may not hold much weight, but Louisville’s loss to Kentucky Wesleyan after a lackluster season doesn’t bode well for their performance.

In conclusion, the ACC is filled with talented teams ready to compete for the national championship. It promises to be an exhilarating season for basketball fans everywhere.

Reference