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ACC Basketball: Power rankings heading into 2021-2022 season

By Mike Phillips

DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils speaks to fans during Countdown To Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 15, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - OCTOBER 15: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils speaks to fans during Countdown To Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium on October 15, 2021 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 19: Al-Amir Dawes #2 of the Clemson Tigers reacts late in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first-round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 19: Al-Amir Dawes #2 of the Clemson Tigers reacts late in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in the first-round game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 19, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

12. ACC Preseason Power Rankings – Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes had a disastrous season in 2020 as injuries wreaked havoc on Miami’s roster. A 4-15 record in the ACC led several of Miami’s key players to transfer, leaving precious little depth on Jim Larranaga’s roster.

Isaiah Wong and Kameron McGusty are a good start for the Hurricanes but there simply isn’t enough talent behind them to stay afloat in the ACC. Expect another tournament miss for Miami as Larranaga looks to build a stronger recruiting class next season.

11. ACC Preseason Power Rankings – NC State Wolfpack

The return of Manny Bates is a solid start for the Wolfpack but Kevin Keatts has to field a team that lost its top two players from a year ago. The pandemic really was an unfortunate turn of events for NC State, which was poised to make the NCAA Tournament in 2020 if the event had been held.

Alas, the Wolfpack haven’t been to the dance since 2017, Keatts’ first year at the helm. He will need to get some serious overachievement out of the current roster to break that drought this season.

10. ACC Preseason Power Rankings – Clemson Tigers

The Tigers made the tournament last year, the third time they have earned a bid under head coach Brad Brownell. Clemson’s tournament experience was one-and-done, a disappointment since leading scorer Aamir Simms graduated after the season.

The loss of Simms will be a big one for the Tigers to overcome since he was able to do so many things well for Clemson. Since there is no clear replacement for Simms on the roster it is more likely that the Tigers slip out of the field of 68 than maintain their progress from a year ago.