ACC releases preseason men's basketball poll, predicted order of finish
College basketball is just a few days away from tipping off, with Monday, Nov. 6 being the official start to the 2023-2023 season. It will be a five-month journey toward the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, while the Final Four will take place in Phoenix the first weekend of April.
The ACC media has spoken and the preseason men’s basketball poll has been released. All 14 teams have been ranked in the predicted order of finish, with just four programs receiving first-place votes.
Some in the conference will have bigger aspirations this year than winning the ACC. But performing well against your peers is always what sets you up for a successful run in March.
1. Duke (44 first-place votes)
Jon Scheyer got an ACC title under his belt in Year One, winning the tournament in Greensboro. Now, Duke will be aiming for a regular-season championship and has been dubbed the preseason favorites.
Kyle Filipwoski is back for his sophomore season and has been voted the preseason ACC Player of the Year. He caught fire toward the end of last year and is expected to do the same for Duke in 2023-2024.
2. Miami (5)
Last year’s regular season title was just the program’s third ever, with one of those occurring in the Big East. Never has Miami been able to earn back-to-back regular-season crowns but Jim Larranaga has set all kinds of records in Coral Gables.
Norchad Omier will be the main piece for Miami, being named preseason All-ACC first-team. He could have gone to the NBA but decided for another year with the Hurricanes following their Final Four appearance.
3. North Carolina (1)
Year Two was quite the letdown for Hubert Davis. North Carolina brought back a core that made the Final Four but failed to make the NCAA Tournament. There was even an NIT bid turned down, ending a tumultuous season in Chapel Hill.
Changes have been made though, specifically with Caleb Love transferring out. Armando Bacot and RJ Davis still remain, while somebody like Harrison Ingram is thought to potentially make an impact. As usual, expectations are high for North Carolina.
4. Virginia (1)
You cannot find a team that has been more consistent in the ACC than Virginia. Tony Bennett has found a system in Charlottesville and played to it extremely well over the years.
The name to watch for the Hoos is Reece Beekman, a preseason first-team All-ACC player. He was named to the third team following the ’22-23 season but is expected to take a step up and have Virginia contending for another ACC championship.
5. Clemson
This season is going to be a big one for Brad Brownell, who needs to make the NCAA Tournament after a couple of frustrating seasons. Lucky for him, he has PJ Hall, a player who received votes for preseason Player of the Year.
Clemson was not a favorable team in terms of the metrics last season, with Brownell even voicing his frustrations over it. With a better roster expected this season, some good results should fall in favor of the Tigers.
6. Wake Forest
Heading into his fourth season at Wake Forest, making some kind of appearance in March will be the goal for Steve Forbes. The Demon Deacons have just an NIT invite under their belt over the course of his tenure but the NCAA Tournament is expected.
To this point, fifth place is Forbes’ best finish in the ACC but not good enough to make the big dance. Seemingly, some work will need to get done against what should be an improved conference this season.
7. NC State
Kevin Keatts has been a popular name in college basketball when it comes to the hot seat. NC State has continued their faith in him, keeping him despite the postseason success not being there in a state full of proud programs.
Last year resulted in an NCAA Tournament appearance but a quick first-round exit. Improvement is likely expected or else conversations will begin to flare back up.
8. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech was a Wednesday bounce at the ACC Tournament last season, finishing off what was a frustrating season in Blacksburg. Improvement is expected for Mike Young’s squad with a middle-of-the-road finish in the ACC predicted.
The NCAA transfer portal was hit by Virginia Tech, with Young depending on some production from his newcomers. Tyler Nickel is a former top-100 recruit and previously played for North Carolina. A potential big piece for the Hokies.
9. Pitt
Jeff Capel made the NCAA Tournament for the first time last season with Pitt and was able to win the Round of 64 game. Back-to-back appearances have not occurred in over a decade and there could be a tough mountain to climb for the Panthers.
The good news is that the leading scorer from a season ago, Blake Hinson, is back, averaging 15.3 points per game. His role will only expand and play will have to improve for Pitt to accomplish their 2023-2024 season goals.
10. Syracuse
Instead of basketball sidelines, Jim Boeheim will be in ESPN studios working college basketball games. Adrian Autry has taken over the historic program after spending over a decade as an assistant on Boeheim’s staff.
Years of Syracuse running the 2-3 zone are now gone, with Autry bringing man-to-man defense to the program. It’s going to be an adjustment period in Upstate New York, hoping to eventually get back near the top of the college basketball world.
11. Florida State
12. Boston College
13. Georgia Tech
14. Louisville
15. Notre Dame
As they have in recent times, the ACC will play 20 conference games against one another. The first matchup will tip-off on Dec. 2, spanning all the way until March 9. We will then have the opportunity to reflect on the preseason poll and see what was right or wrong.