We’re just under 50 days away from the start of the 2025-26 season, and — knock on wood — the rosters are about 99.9 percent finalized. With so much going on in the last few months in terms of personnel and coaching, it’s time to look at where each team stands compared to its conference peers.
Up first is the ACC, which had a trio of teams lose just two or fewer league games in 2024-25. Duke, which won the regular-season title, represented the conference in the Final Four. After losing three players to the NBA Draft as lottery picks, are the Blue Devils still the team to beat? And who are the other contenders to watch?
Check out the 18-team power rankings below.
*Rankings for freshmen are via 247Sports Composite.
1. Duke Blue Devils
2024-25: 35-4 (19-1)
Key players: Isaiah Evans, 6-foot-6 sophomore wing, 6.8 points per game; Caleb Foster, 6-foot-5 junior guard, 4.9 points per game; Patrick Ngongba, 6-foot-11 sophomore center, 3.9 points per game; Cameron Boozer, 6-foot-9 freshman forward, No. 3 overall prospect; Dame Sarr, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, 5-star overall prospect
Despite losing so much talent from last season, the Blue Devils continue to reload with another No. 1 overall recruiting class. The incoming group is headlined by potential top NBA Draft pick Cameron Boozer, along with his brother Cayden, a 5-star freshman point guard. The key will be a sophomore class that is capable of breaking out and giving this roster the highest ceiling of any ACC team.
2. Louisville Cardinals
2024-25: 27-8 (18-2)
Key players: Ryan Conwell, 6-foot-4 senior guard, 16.5 points per game (Xavier); Isaac McKneely, 6-foot-4 senior guard, 14.4 points per game (Virginia); Kasean Pryor, 6-foot-9 senior forward, 12 points per game; Mikel Brown, 6-foot-3 freshman guard, No. 6 overall prospect
As good as Year 1 of the Pat Kelsey era was, the follow-up campaign could be even better. Conwell and McKneely, who each shot better than 40 percent from deep, are two of the league’s most impactful transfers. The frontcourt depth will be much better, bringing back two key guys who missed most of last year via injuries. There’s also a case to be made that Brown, the star of the U19 Team USA gold-medal team this summer, could end up being the best freshman guard in the nation.
3. North Carolina Tar Heels
2024-25: 23-14 (13-7)
Key players: Seth Trimble, 6-foot-3 senior guard, 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds per game; Kyan Evans, 6-foot-2 junior guard, 10.6 points, 3.1 assists per game (Colorado State); Henri Veesaar, 7-foot junior center, 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds per game (Arizona); Luka Bogavac, 6-foot-5 freshman guard, 4-star overall prospect; Caleb Wilson, 6-foot-9 freshman forward, No. 8 overall prospect
The Tar Heels roster is a complete 180 compared to last year, starting with plenty of size up front. Trimble has the chance to be a go-to guy, while Bogavac is one of the notable incoming international newcomers. But while there is depth, who will be the star of the team? If that question isn’t answered, UNC could underwhelm, which may prove costly for coach Hubert Davis.
4. Virginia Cavaliers
2024-25: 15-17 (8-12)
Key players: Malik Thomas, 6-foot-4 senior guard, 19.9 points per game (San Francisco); Sam Lewis, 6-foot-6 junior guard, 16.2 points per game (Toledo); Devin Tillis, 6-foot-6 senior forward, 13.7 points, 7.8 rebounds per game (UC Irvine); Thijs De Ridder, 6-foot-8 freshman forward, 4-star international prospect
New head coach Ryan Odom will have Virginia’s offense looking completely different from the Tony Bennett era. He has the guards to remake the playbook, led by 20-point-per-game scoring transfer Thomas. The key will be the frontcourt, which includes multiple international pieces and Ugonna Onyenso, a 7-foot junior transfer from Kansas State who hasn’t yet lived up to the billing of a former 5-star recruit.
5. NC State Wolfpack
2024-25: 12-19 (5-15)
Key players: Darrion Williams, 6-foot-6 senior forward, 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game (Texas Tech); Tre Holloman, 6-foot-2 senior guard, 9.1 points, 3.7 assists per game (Michigan State); Quadir Copeland, 6-foot-6 senior guard, 9.2 points, 4.5 assists per game (McNeese State); Terrance Arceneaux, 6-foot-5 senior guard, 6.5 points per game (Houston)
New head coach Will Wade has instantly made the Wolfpack a threat thanks to landing Williams, one of the best transfers of the offseason. The frontcourt should be fine, but can NC State compete while its backcourt is made up of newcomers who served as role players on their previous teams? If any of them can break out, the Wolfpack could be the third ACC contender out of Carolina.
6. SMU Mustangs
2024-25: 24-11 (13-7)
Key players: Kevin Miller, 6-foot senior guard, 13.2 points, 5.5 assists per game; BJ Edwards, 6-foot-3 senior guard, 9.9 points, 3.7 assists per game; Samet Yigitoglu, 7-foot-2 sophomore center, 10 points, 6.2 rebounds per game; Jaron Pierre, 6-foot-5 senior guard, 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds per game (Jacksonville State)
The Mustangs are the only ACC team that brings back three double-digit scoring players. Yigitoglu, last year’s international standout, has the chance of being the best center in the conference. Pierre, one of the nation’s top scorers from last year, figures to have a large role at SMU. In the end, how well they defend will determine the postseason hopes for the Mustangs.
7. Clemson Tigers
2024-25: 27-7 (18-2)
Key players: Dillon Hunter, 6-foot-3 senior guard, 5.4 points per game; Nick Davidson, 6-foot-8 senior forward, 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds per game (Nevada); Carter Welling, 6-foot-11 junior center, 13.1 points, 6.3 rebounds per game (Utah Valley); Jestin Porter, 6-foot-1 senior guard, 15 points per game (Middle Tennessee)
It’s a complete rebuild for head coach Brad Brownell, who landed a quality frontcourt transfer duo of Davidson and Welling. The questions lie in the backcourt, where the program hopes that Hunter can break out as the potential lead guard. Brownell gets the benefit of the doubt to keep Clemson competitive this year, but they’ll need the perimeter group to do its part.
8. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2024-25: 15-18 (8-12)
Key players: Markus Burton, 5-foot-11 junior guard, 21.3 points per game; Braeden Shrewsberry, 6-foot-3 junior guard, 14 points per game; Kebba Njie, 6-foot-10 senior forward, 6.1 points, 5.9 rebounds; Carson Towt, 6-foot-7 senior forward, 13.3 points, 12.4 rebounds per game (Northern Arizona); Jalen Haralson, 6-foot-7 freshman guard, No. 24 overall prospect
Notre Dame has a preseason ACC Player of the Year candidate in Burton, one of the top scorers in the nation. Haralson, a heralded all-around newcomer, should have an impact. The Irish will need Towt, one of the top rebounders and double-double producers in the nation last year, to give them the kind of impact frontcourt player the program hasn’t had since Bonzie Colson way back in 2018.
9. Syracuse Orange
2024-25: 14-19 (7-13)
Key players: JJ Starling, 6-foot-4 senior guard, 17.8 points per game; Donnie Freeman, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward, 13.4 points, 7.9 rebounds per game; Naithan George, 6-foot-3 junior guard, 12.3 points, 6.5 assists per game (Georgia Tech); Nate Kingz, 6-foot-5 senior guard, 11.8 points per game (Oregon State); Kiyan Anthony, 6-foot-5 freshman guard, No. 32 overall prospect; Sadiq White Jr., 6-foot-9 freshman forward, No. 27 overall prospect
There’s a lot to like about the Orange as they bring back leading scorer Starling and pair him with George, who led the ACC in assists last year. Freeman could be one of the top forwards in the conference, with two top-tier freshmen to add depth. The biggest question isn’t the roster but rather whether head coach Red Autry is the man to lead them to the postseason.
10. Miami Hurricanes
2024-25: 7-24 (3-17)
Key players: Malike Reneau, 6-foot-9 senior forward, 13.3 points, 5.5 rebounds (Indiana); Tre Donaldson, 6-foot-2 senior guard, 11.3 points, 4.1 assists per game (Michigan); Tru Washington, 6-foot-4 junior guard, 11.1 points per game (New Mexico); Shelton Henderson, 6-foot-6 senior forward, No. 25 overall prospect
Jai Lucas comes over from Duke to take the reins for the Hurricanes, and he brings an instant-impact player with him in Henderson, a former Blue Devils commit. The starting lineup should be fine, and Reneau is capable of being the focal point for a solid team. But will the overall depth be good enough for them to make some noise?
Hubert Davis Isn’t Concerned About Pressure
Expectations are high at North Carolina. Hubert Davis fully embraces it.
11. Virginia Tech Hokies
2024-25: 13–19 (8-12)
Key players: Toibu Lawal, 6-foot-8 senior forward, 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds per game; Jaden Schutt, 6-foot-5 junior guard, 7.7 points per game; Amani Hansberry, 6-foot-8 junior forward, 9.8 points, 6.5 rebounds per game (West Virginia); Izaiah Pasha, 6-foot-4 sophomore guard, 11.9 points, 3.9 assists per game (Delaware); Neoklis Avdala, 6-foot-8 freshman guard, 4-star international prospect
The return of their best player (Lawal) was a needed boost for the Hokies, while the addition of Hansberry gives them a competitive frontcourt. The key is the perimeter, which was a major liability last year. All eyes will be on Avdala, a top international prospect who is projected to be their lead guard. If he’s the real deal, Tech has a chance to outperform expectations.
12. Pitt Panthers
2024-25: 17-15 (8-12)
Key players: Cameron Corhen, 6-foot-10 senior forward, 11 points, 5.2 rebounds per game; Brandin Cummings, 6-foot-3 sophomore guard, 6.3 points per game; Barry Dunning, 6-foot-6 senior forward, 15.1 points, 7.2 rebounds per game (South Alabama); Dishon Jackson, 6-foot-10 senior center, 8.5 points, 5.1 rebounds per game (Iowa State); Roman Siulepa, 6-foot-7 freshman forward, 4-star international prospect
Pitt has a lot of frontcourt depth, with Corhen and Jackson potentially playing together inside, while Dunning is a quality newcomer from the Sun Belt. But after losing so much guard production, they’ll need either Cummings to be a breakout scoring star or one of the newcomers to have a surprise impact, as Bub Carrington and Jaland Lowe did in the past two years.
13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
2024-25: 21-11 (13-7)
Key players: Tre’Von Spillers, 6-foot-7 senior forward, 9.9 points, 7.6 rebounds per game; Juke Harris, 6-foot-7 sophomore guard, 6.1 points per game; Cooper Schwieger, 6-foot-9 junior forward, 15.8 points, 7.8 rebounds per game (Valparaiso); Nate Calmese, 6-foot-2 senior guard, 15.2 points, 4.4 assists per game (Washington State)
Coach Steve Forbes has had Wake Forest in the top half of the ACC standings for the last few years, but without All-ACC guard Hunter Sallis, overall talent is a concern with this roster. Calmese has previously struggled at the high-major level (Washington), so he will need to show he’s capable of being a lead guard to keep them competitive.
14. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2024-25: 17-17 (10-10)
Key players: Baye Ndongo, 6-foot-9 junior forward, 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds per game; Jaeden Mustaf, 6-foot-5 sophomore guard, 8.3 points per game; Kam Craft, 6-foot-6 junior guard, 13.6 points per game (Miami OH); Lamar Washington, 6-foot-4 senior guard, 13.5 points, 5.8 assists per game (Pacific)
Bringing back Ndongo was big, but the loss of Naithan George to Syracuse was massive. There remains a question at the point, and the Yellow Jackets are relying on Craft, who shot around 40 percent from deep, to prop up the team’s shooting potential. Ndongo could be an all-league player, but the lack of a supporting cast is an issue.
15. Florida State Seminoles
2024-25: 17-15 (8-12)
Key players: Robert McCray, 6-foot-4 senior guard, 16.2 points, 4.5 assists per game (Jacksonville); Kobe MaGee, 6-foot-6 senior guard; 14 points per game (Drexel); Chauncey Wiggins, 6-foot-10 senior forward, 8.3 points per game (Clemson); Alex Steen; 6-foot-9 senior forward, 17.9 points per game (Florida Southern College)
New head coach Luke Loucks is doing fantastic work with the 2026 recruiting class, with several promising players already committed. But expect there to be growing pains on the court this upcoming season, as the Seminoles need at least three incoming transfers to stand out just to be competitive. Steen is one of the top newcomers from the D-II level and could be a bright spot to watch in a frontcourt that lacks scoring pop.
16. Cal Bears
2024-25: 14-19 (6-14)
Key players: Rytis Petratis, 6-foot-7 senior guard, 8.3 points per game; DJ Campbell, 6-foot-2 senior guard, 7.8 points per game; John Camden, 6-foot-8 senior forward, 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds per game (Delaware); Chris Bell, 6-foot-7 senior forward, 9.3 points per game (Syracuse)
Between Bell, Camden (a starter at Virginia Tech) and former Virginia guard Dai Dai Ames, the Bears have some familiar ACC faces who possess the potential to be leading offensive threats. But the lack of size and frontcourt depth combined with questions about the defense renders Cal a mere thorn in the side of opponents, not a true postseason threat.
17. Boston College Eagles
2024-25: 12-19 (4-16)
Key players: Donald Hand, 6-foot-5 junior guard, 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds per game; Fred Payne, 6-foot-2 junior guard, 6.9 points per game; Chase Forte, 6-foot-3 senior guard, 17.9 points, 3.2 assists per game (South Dakota); Aidan Shaw, 6-foot-8 senior forward, 2.6 points (Missouri)
Hand was one of the best players from a non-tournament team to opt to return. However, there’s a chance that the Eagles may be worse compared to last year, with even bigger questions in the frontcourt and a reliance on Shaw to be an instant impact player. Hand should be able to win a few games on his own, but the supporting cast will likely hold him back again.
18. Stanford Cardinal
2024-25: 21-14 (11-9)
Key players: Ryan Agaral, 6-foot-6 junior guard, 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds per game; Chisom Okpara, 6-foot-8 senior forward, 6.5 points per game; Benny Gealer, 6-foot-1 senior guard, 6.0 points per game; Jeremy Dent-Smith, 6-foot-1 senior guard, 19.2 points, 3.0 assists per game (Cal State Dominguez Hills)
All of the Cardinal’s key scorers from last year are gone, and due to the school’s high academic standards, they cannot use the transfer portal in the same way other programs can. Okpara did average more than 16 points per game at Harvard, so he’s capable of being a go-to scorer, but Stanford will need all of the returning role players to stand out to have a chance to get out of the bottom of the ACC.
