As part of our 2022–23 men’s basketball preseason coverage, sports illustrated is rolling out previews for each of its top 10 conferences. Next is ACC.
The ACC got a lot of backlash last season with their regular season performance. He then quelled the animosity by sending three teams to the Elite Eight, two to the Final Four and one to the title game. So what’s the truth about this league? The ACC may not have been as bad as the national narrative that it took place around February 1st, but its successful March made it all the better. There were still certain issues that people in the department forgot about.
In a world without Roy Williams Mike Krzewski The ACC needs backing from big brands like Louisville, Virginia and Florida State University to be considered the premier hoop league again. The outlook for this season is better than it was at this time last year.
More previews: A-10 | | AAC | | mountain west | | WCC
Recommended by SI…
Player of the Year: Armand Bacotte, North Carolina
New face award: Darik Whitehead, Duke
Dark Horse Team: Notre Dame
First Team All-Conference:
- Caleb Love (North Carolina)
- Isaiah Wong (Miami)
- Jaden Gardner (Virginia)
- Armando Baco (North Carolina)
- Derek Lively II (Duke)
What will UNC do for an encore after their surprising advance to the US title?
Mitchell Leff/USA TODAY Sports
SI expected order of finish:
1. North Carolina
Four starters are back from the squad. Just a little more to win the championship one season agothis year we have the energy of a title or a bust tar heelArmando Bako’s dominant internal force, RJ Davis, one of the better point guards in the sport, and dynamic shotmaker Caleb Love form the nucleus of the sport’s best, while coach Hubert Davis has a strong presence in lockdown. Defender Leakey Black can round out that starting five. And top transfer Pete Nance could be even more valuable than Brady Manek due to his versatility and skill level. The Heels will have to prove that his March improvement in his end defensively was nothing out of the ordinary, but this group has more depth, talent, and strength to cut the net in Houston than it did preseason. It has all the elements you need.
Postseason predictions: title candidate
2. Duke
John Scheier’s first team as coach is brimming with talent. Shea, 35 I was tasked with the impossible task of following Mike Krzyzewski At Durham it remains an open question whether the navigator will carry on with his day-to-day duties, but he certainly made a strong impression So far solicited and staff recruitment decisions.This year’s duke The team is young and relies heavily on freshmen Darik Whitehead, Derek Lively II, Kyle Filipowski and Tyrese Proctor, but the Devils have Jeremy Roach and Illinois transfer Jacob Grandison. We have a long-awaited veteran. Getting consistent shot-making from Proctor and Grandison next to Roach is key if this team wants to hit the ceiling, but having Lively as a rim protector helps Duke expand his elite defensive potential. You can get
Postseason predictions: title candidate
3. Virginia
When Tony Bennett has a seasoned team, it’s wise not to bet on him. cavaliers I have it in 2022–23. All five of his starters are at least his second year in the program. That includes All-League forward Jaden Gardner. 1 In his final 15 preseason games, Gardner averaged 17 points on his 48% shooting percentage and he tallied 6 rebounds. The Cavaliers will have to return to one of the country’s elite on defense after some struggles early last season. More minutes for Kadin Shedrick to transform this unit and more Gardner and Ahmahn’s knowledge of his Franklin system should also help.
Postseason predictions: dance safely
4. Miami
Advancing into the Elite Eight after the program’s best NCAA Tournament finish, Jim Larranaga gathers a strong rookie to enable another deep run. Virtually everyone in the sport wanted a K-State transfer Nijel Pack. That shooting touch and his ability to play with or without the ball makes him a seamless fit for Coral Gables. Keynes, on the other hand, added Norchad Ommie, who moved from Arkansas, to solidify his frontcourt. Ommie has built his reputation on the Sun Belt as one of midfield basketball’s most dominant rebounders. His aggressive game may drop off somewhat at higher levels, but his ability to crash glasses does not.Puck, Ommie, All-Conference wing Isiah Wong and versatile forward Jordan Miller return Miami Back to Big Dance.
Postseason predictions: dance safely
5. Florida
Leonard Hamilton is betting more on internal development than massive roster turnover after a disappointing campaign in 2017-14 a season ago. Will the bet pay off? Most of it is based on the growth of sophomores Matthew Cleveland and Jalen Whalley, who had an uneven rookie campaign in Tallahassee. Cleveland looked like a future star at times, but he was inefficient, making just six of his 34 3-point shots. Worley, on the other hand, seemed to have his playmaking head on a team that could have really used his skills. We need to improve how we handle the ball this season.If the duo steps up, this is Florida Groups can be incredibly dangerous thanks to their incredible length and athleticism in all positions.
Postseason predictions: dance safely
6. Notre Dame
At the center of this is a paradox Notre Dame 2022–23 Teams: Teams with six graduate students on their roster will be capped by freshmen. Last season’s break he fought as well as Wesley, with his Irish winning the much-touted J.J. It’s unfair for him to expect the same level of productivity from Starling that Brey got from Wesley, but freshmen need to be the ones who make the difference. Another key freshman: Ven-Allen Lubin is an athletic frontcourt player on a team whose main weaknesses on paper are athleticism and physical prowess.
Postseason predictions: About Bubble
7. Virginia Tech
of HawkeyesWinning the ACC tournament title a season ago was huge for what Mike Young is building at Blacksburg. Three of the starting pitchers are leaving, but this program seems to be in a good position to enter the fourth year of Young. Elite rolls his players Justin Matz and Hunter his cattle may have a lot more to do in 2022-23, but young guard Sean Pedula and Darius in the backcourt Maddox’s breakout beware of his campaign. The biggest loss came up front with the departure of star two-way big Keve Aluma, whose transfer to Wright State Grant his Basil might be able to recreate much of Alma’s production offensively, but Expect a drop in defense in that location.
Postseason predictions: About Bubble
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8. Syracuse
The Oranges were very difficult to guard in the preseason due to their overall ability to shoot threes, while their lack of length and athleticism led to defensive woes. Syracuse A long way from the NCAA tournament bubble. This year’s group wouldn’t be as dynamic offensively without Buddy Boheim and Cole Sweider, but should be much more balanced. Sharing the backcourt with III, other young players like Chris Bunch and Benny Williams should also help out in Jim Boheim’s 2-3 zone. Jesse Edwards being perfectly healthy is also great reason for optimism.
Postseason predictions: NIT bound
Payne turns the ship right at Louisville.
Pat McDonogh/Courier Journal/USA TODAY Network
9. Louisville
It’s hard to figure out exactly how to do this Louisville First year team under Kenny Payne. There’s certainly talent on this roster, and many of the current Cardinals are better than last season, which was a mess that included mid-season coaching changes. There is only one. They are returnee El Ellis, who had 51 assists and 45 turnovers in the preseason, and three-star freshman Fabio Basili. If Payne had landed a guard or two on the transport portal, I’d feel a lot better about this group, but upfront athleticism and physical prowess should cause some problems for ACC enemies.
Postseason predictions: NIT bound
10. Clemson
Brad Brownell’s seat is hot, but the Tigers’ longtime coach has been here before and found a way out of it.can he get Clemson Will he return to the postseason mix this year and extend his tenure? with a centerpiece. The bigger problem is Brownell beating Portal and instead relying on some point guards. A combination of freshmen Dillon Hunter and Josh Beadle, and veterans Alex Hemenway and Chase Hunter.
Postseason predictions: I hope to see you next year
11. Wake Forest
Star-lost Jake Larrabia and Alondes Williams, perhaps demon deacon After a successful second year under Steve Forbes, the company is about to take a big step forward. The program, spearheaded by Forbes, is still on the right track, but mid-major transfer profiles of Zhao Ituka (Marist) and Andrew Carr (Delaware) have led to majors from Larravia and Williams. Shown as a downgrade. But I can’t help but be thrilled with talented freshmen Bobbi Clintman and Zach Keller, and my excitement is growing to have a healthy Damari Monsanto on the wing. I don’t know if I’m talented enough to make my way out of the bottom tier of this league without a big year.
Postseason predictions: I hope to see you next year
12.NC state
The return of sophomore Terquavion Smith gives Kevin Keatts a chance to fight in a crucial year for his job security, but it leaves far more questions than answers. pack of wolvesSmith is a very interesting player who can work as a scorer, but how he contributes to winning basketball is an open question. Additionally, Puck was defensively turnstiles a season ago after losing Manny Bates during the season, but failed to find a rim protector to replace him after moving to Butler in the offseason, making him a versatile player. Nor did he replace perimeter defender Deleon Siebron.
Postseason predictions: I hope to see you next year
13. Pittsburgh
This may be Jeff Capel’s last stand pit 500 season in a row to begin his tenure. The team took a hit earlier this month when the talented freshman points his guard. Dior Johnson suspended indefinitely The assault charge has left the Key Piece status in flux for the 2022–23 season. Without Johnson, Pitt’s roster isn’t as good as it was before, but it should at least be better thanks to an influx of veterans surrounding big man John Hagley. Transfer Greg Elliott, and former Iowa State and Ole Miss forward Blake Hinson, will, if nothing else, raise the floor in Oakland.
Postseason predictions: I hope to see you next year
14. Boston University
Perhaps this is too low for a team that was doing well if nothing else in Earl Grant’s first season at Chestnut Hill. and won two more conference tournaments.and meanwhile boston college Freshmen Prince Araibe and Donald Hand Jr. offer a few advantages to this group that lacked athleticism a season ago. It looks worse than it is, but it wouldn’t be a shock if Grant’s club climbed into the middle tier of the league.
Postseason predictions: I hope to see you next year
15. Georgia Tech
It’s hard to find reasons for optimism yellow jacket, lost two of their best players from a team that lost 20 games in 2021–22.Without Michael DeVoe and Jordan Usher, Josh Pastner’s club is joined by Darran “Devo” Coleman, Devon Desperately need young talent like Smith and Miles Kelly. Lance Terry (Gardner Webb) looks more like a roll his player than a star.
Postseason predictions: I hope to see you next year
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