2017-18 ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Preseason Edition
Teams 4-6
Results against UNC: 1-0, Won 75-63 at Georgia Tech
Biggest Loss: Quinton Stephens, graduated. Stephens was second on the team in rebounds and minutes and fourth on the team in points scored. His leadership will be missed this season.
Top Returner: Ben Lammers. This was a tough choice between Lammers and Josh Okogie, who led the team in scoring and was a member of the All-ACC freshman squad, but Lammers was the clear choice.
Not only did nearly average a double-double with 14.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but he also was third in the nation in blocks and was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year. The Yellow Jackets need Lammers to take the next step this season.
Key Freshman: Curtis Hayward II. Hayward is rated as ESPN’s 37th best small forward. At 6-foot-5 he should help provide some of what was lost with the graduation of Stephens.
The Lowdown: Josh Pastner did what few expected and made Georgia Tech dangerous last season. It led to a NIT Finals appearance and an ACC Coach of the Year Award. With most of his team returning, a trip to the NCAA should be the expectation this season.
Results against UNC: 0-1, Lost 74-63 at North Carolina
Biggest Loss: Donovan Mitchell, left early for the NBA draft. Honestly, I could’ve put Rick Pitino here, but that’s an egg not worth cracking at this time. Mitchell was the team’s leading scorer last year with 15.6 per game. He also led the team with 2.1 steals per game.
Mitchell was named to All-ACC first team last season before leaving early for the NBA Draft. He was selected with the 13th pick in the first round by the Denver Nuggets before being traded to the Utah Jazz.
Top Returner: Deng Adel. Adel is a skilled small forward who averaged 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds last year for the Cardinals. With the loss of Mitchell, Adel will be looked to for help in carrying the team this season.
Key Freshman: Malik Williams. This spot would’ve gone to Bowen, but with the young man’s eligibility issues, I decided to steer away from him right now. However, if Bowen is allowed to play, he should be the key freshman this season.
With all that noted, Williams is no slouch. The 6-foot-11 power forward/center averaged 23.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks in 13 games last season. He will clearly be a difference-maker this year for the Cardinals.
The Lowdown: With all the chaos surrounding Louisville right now, it wouldn’t surprise me if David Padgett’s team had a down year. However, even with the loss of Mitchell, the team still has a lot of talent, which is buoyed by at least three (if not four) ESPN top-100 players.
Results against UNC: 1-1, Won 77-62 at Miami, Lost 78-53 in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals
Biggest Loss: Davon Reed, graduated. Davon Reed led the Hurricanes in scoring last year. He also played solid defense earning himself a spot on the All-ACC defensive team. He was also named third team All-ACC.
Reed was selected with the 32nd overall pick in the second round by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA draft.
Top Returner: Bruce Brown Jr. A lot is expected of Brown this season who is considered by many to be a top pick in this year’s draft. He was recently named top draftable shooting guard by ESPN. Last season, Brown led the team in steals, was second in rebounds and assists, and third in points per game.
Key Freshman: Lonnie Walker. Walker was rated as a top-100 player and the second best shooting guard by ESPN. With similar size, Walker should supply the Hurricanes a potential replacement for the departed Reed.
The Lowdown: The Canes lost a couple of talented pieces this past offseason but also brought in three top-100 players to supplement. Jim Larranaga should have the players necessary to compete for a top spot in the ACC again this season.