ACC Basketball Preseason Predictions: Duke Favored, Louisville Faces Uphill Battle

The 2024-25 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) men's basketball preseason poll and All-ACC team have been released, providing a glimpse into the anticipated landscape of the upcoming season. With Duke emerging as the favorite to claim the conference title, the spotlight turns to the challenges facing Louisville as they aim to make their mark in the competitive ACC landscape.

Navigating the ACC's Competitive Landscape

Duke Poised to Reign Supreme

The preseason poll has crowned Duke as the favorite to win the ACC title this season, garnering 42 first-place votes out of the 54 total cast by media members across the league. The Blue Devils' roster boasts an impressive array of talent, including the highly touted Preseason ACC Rookie of the Year, Cooper Flagg. Duke's dominance is further underscored by the inclusion of Flagg and two other Blue Devils, R.J. Davis and Hunter Sallis, on the Preseason All-ACC First Team.

North Carolina and Wake Forest Poised for Strong Showings

Trailing closely behind Duke in the preseason poll are the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. North Carolina, led by Preseason ACC Player of the Year R.J. Davis, is expected to mount a formidable challenge for the conference crown. Meanwhile, Wake Forest, with Hunter Sallis earning a spot on the Preseason All-ACC First Team, is also positioned as a contender to watch.

Clemson and Virginia Rounding Out the Top Five

Rounding out the top five in the preseason poll are the Clemson Tigers and the Virginia Cavaliers. Both programs have established themselves as consistent forces within the ACC, and their inclusion in the top five reflects the depth and competitiveness of the conference.

Louisville Faces an Uphill Battle

In the midst of this stacked ACC landscape, Louisville has been selected to finish ninth in the conference race, according to the preseason poll. The Cardinals, led by new head coach Pat Kelsey, have undergone a significant roster overhaul, bringing in 12 Division I transfers and one high school prospect. While their transfer portal class has been ranked as the best in the nation by On3, the Cardinals will need to quickly gel and overcome the challenges of integrating a new-look roster.

Impressive Summer Performances Offer Glimmer of Hope

Despite the preseason projections, Louisville has shown glimpses of promise during their summer exhibition games in the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League. The Cardinals captured convincing victories over Bahamas Select (111-59) and the University of Calgary (111-71), suggesting that they may have the potential to exceed expectations and make a push for a higher finish in the ACC standings.

Anticipation Builds for the Regular Season Opener

As the 2024-25 ACC men's basketball season approaches, all eyes will be on the conference's top contenders, including Duke, North Carolina, and Wake Forest. For Louisville, the focus will be on their ability to quickly coalesce as a team and capitalize on the momentum from their impressive summer performances. The Cardinals will have the opportunity to make an early statement when they tip off the regular season against Morehead State on November 4th from the KFC Yum! Center.