Star-studded Tobacco Road powers Duke and UNC lead the way in a new era for the ACC.
While the ACC may never recapture its former glory, the conference stands in line for a needed boost of star power this season. Look no further than the face of the preseason favorites: Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. Though the Blue Devils are no stranger to accumulating five-star talent, Flagg transcends your average rookie. The hype around him has reached a fever pitch equipped with elite defensive tools, spring-loaded athleticism, and advanced passing. Flagg’s unorthodox game will enthrall fans and spectators all season.
And he happens to have a foil just down the road in Chapel Hill. The 2024 ACC Player of the Year, RJ Davis, returns for one last campaign with the Tar Heels. Davis, a knockdown shooter with a slick handle, capable of getting to any spot on the court, will once more catalyze the UNC offense.
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But beyond those two, Louisville could re-emerge as a threat thanks to the charismatic Pat Kelsey. In a few months, the first-year coach manufactured a complete roster overhaul, dotting his team with potential stars. Keep an eye out for Terrence Edwards Jr. and Kasean Pryor, specifically.
Steady presences like Virginia and Clemson could push for the conference crown, and Miami and Wake also project as high-upside teams. Even the bottom-feeders like Florida State and Stanford boast future pros in Jamir Watkins and Maxime Raynaud, respectively.
Overall, the league may look a bit different, thanks to the arrival of three new teams. But perhaps the facelift carries over to public perception as well.
Projected Order of Finish
1. Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils won 27 games, advanced to the second weekend, and finished seventh on KenPom in Jon Scheyer’s second year. But two regular season losses to North Carolina, plus a blown lead to NC State in the Elite Eight overshadowed those accomplishments.
But the Duke faithful can rest easy knowing their future is in the hands of one of the best high school prospects of the past decade: 6-9 forward Cooper Flagg. Flagg will be the playmaking hub on offense and a human highlight reel on defense. After a decorated high school career (16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.7 bpg at Montverde in 2024), Flagg competed with — and shined for — the USA Select team this past summer.
Flagg headlines the No. 1 freshman class, alongside Kon Kneuppel, a 6-7 versatile shot-maker, and Khaman Maluach, a 7-2 rim protector with otherworldly upside. Three-and-D guard Sion James (14.0 ppg, 38.1 3P% at Tulane) and scrappy forward Maliq Brown (9.5 ppg, 7.2 rpg at Syracuse) highlight a group of transfers, and all will benefit from the rock-solid Tyrese Proctor (10.5 ppg, 3.7 apg) and Caleb Foster (7.7 ppg) in the backcourt.
One final note: The Blue Devils will rank among the tallest teams in the country this season. Not a single scholarship player stands below 6-5.
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