The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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32 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BASKETBALL PREVIEW 2018-19 Junior guard Kyle Guy, who averaged 14.1 points per game on his way to first-team All-ACC honors, and the Cavaliers won 20 of their 21 league matchups while sweeping the regular-season and tournament titles in 2017-18. PHOTO BY MATT RILEY/COURTESY UVA 1. Virginia (31-3 overall, 17-1 ACC in 2017-18) The Cavaliers could roll through the ACC once again, but their ultimate goal is better postseason results, es- pecially after No. 16-seed Maryland-Baltimore County upset the No. 1 overall seeded Wahoos 74-54 in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Junior guards Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy, and redshirt sophomore forward De'Andre Hunter all return, with the latter expected to build off his impressive debut season (9.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game). Guy averaged 14.1 points per game and earned first-team All-ACC hon - ors last year, while Jerome was a third-team selection. 2. Duke (29-8, 13-5 ACC) The Blue Devils landed three of the top five players in the country and four of the top 14 in Rivals' class of 2018 rankings. Freshman forward R.J. Barrett could be in contention for the No. 1 spot in the 2019 NBA Draft, and freshman power forward Zion Wil - liamson could emerge as a national sensation with his elite athleticism at a listed 6-7, 285 pounds. Duke will have the most talent in the ACC, but Virginia may be the best team. 3. Virginia Tech (21-12, 10-8 ACC) The Hokies will be one of the smaller and most experienced teams in the ACC. All five starters are back, led by senior point guard Justin Robinson and fifth-year senior shooting guard Ahmed Hill, plus sophomore wing Nickeil Alexander- Walker could be a breakout performer. That trio all made at least 50 three-pointers last year. Robinson averaged 14.0 points and 5.6 assists per game and earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2017-18. 4. North Carolina (26-11, 11-7 ACC) The emergence of junior post player Luke Maye and the addition of Pittsburgh graduate transfer Cameron Johnson helped the Tar Heels remain nationally relevant last year. Maye earned first-team All-ACC honors after averaging 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Three starters are back and will be joined by McDon - ald's All-Americans Nassir Little and Coby White. 5. Florida State (23-12, 9-9 ACC) The strength in numbers approach helped Florida State make a surprising run to the Elite Eight last year. It also helped that senior power forward Phil Cofer enjoyed a breakout campaign — he averaged 12.8 points and 5.1 rebounds per game — then gained a fifth year of eligibil - ity from the NCAA. Seven of the 10 players who averaged at least 10 minutes per game return. 6. NC State (21-12, 11-7 ACC) NC State surprised many by over-achieving and reach- ing the NCAA Tournament last year. Now, the expecta- tions have been altered to making another run in the tourney. A host of transfers have joined fifth-year senior guard Torin Dorn, sophomore guard Braxton Beverly and junior point guard Markell Johnson. 7. Syracuse (23-14, 8-10 ACC) The Orange bring back all five starters, but will likely be thin on the bench again. The "Big Three" of senior point guard Franklin Howard, junior wing Tyus Battle and sophomore small forward Oshae Brissett combined for 48.5 points and 15.2 rebounds per game last year, and they bring good length to Syracuse's zone defense. Battle earned second-team All-ACC recognition last year. 8. Clemson (25-10, 11-7 ACC) The Tigers were one of the surprises of college basket- ball after reaching the Sweet 16 last year, before falling to Kansas. Senior center Elijah Thomas, fifth-year senior point guard Shelton Mitchell and fifth-year senior shoot- ing guard Marcquise Reed return, but Clemson will need to find one more wing to make its offense go. Reed earned second-team All-ACC honors last year after averaging 15.8 points and 3.3 assists per game. 9. Miami (22-10, 11-7 ACC) The Hurricanes are a "what could have been" squad, due to sophomore guard Bruce Brown and freshman wing Lonnie Walker both entering the NBA Draft. Junior center Dewan Huell returns, and he averaged 11.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game last year. Miami will also likely turn loose 5-7 sophomore point guard Chris Lykes, who chipped in 9.6 points per game. 10. Notre Dame (21-15, 8-10 ACC) Injuries ruined the Fighting Irish's postseason dreams in 2017-18, with the left foot injury to star post player Bonzie Colson proving to be devastating. Veteran coach Mike Brey is used to having "older teams," but he'll be starting anew with several younger players. Junior point guard T.J. Gibbs averaged 15.3 points and 3.0 assists per game, but he'll need help from sophomore forward D.J. Harvey and junior center John Mooney. 11. Louisville (22-14, 9-9 ACC) The FBI investigation cost Louisville head coach Rick Pitino his job before the season, and the Cardinals strug - gled to find consistency. Longtime Xavier coach Chris Mack has taken over, and he added Samford point guard Christen Cunningham and Richmond shooting guard Khwan Fore as graduate transfers this spring. Sophomore stretch four Jor - dan Nwora could be the break- out performer, after he shot 43.9 percent on three-pointers last year. 12. Boston College (19-16, 7-11 ACC) One-half of the Eagles backcourt turned down the NBA Draft and re- mained in Chestnut Hill, Mass. However, Garner, N.C., native Jerome Robinson took his 20.7 points per game to the NBA and became a lot- tery pick for the Los Angeles Clippers. Junior guard Ky Bowman of Havelock, N.C., returns, and he averaged 17.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game last year. 13. Wake Forest (11-20, 4-14 ACC) The Demon Deacons had a rough offseason, starting with the departures of point guard Bryant Crawford and center Doral Moore to the NBA Draft, where neither was selected. Second-leading scorer Keyshawn Woods earned his degree and transferred to Ohio State. Sophomore wing Chaundee Brown, junior point guard Brandon Childress and freshman forward Jaylen Hoard will try and pick up the pieces. 14. Georgia Tech (13-19, 6-12 ACC) The early departure of sophomore wing Josh Okogie and his 18.2 points per game to the NBA Draft leaves a gaping hole. Sophomore point guard Jose Alvarado, freshman wing Michael Devoe and sophomore power forward Evan Cole will lead a young Georgia Tech squad. Alvarado averaged 12.1 points and 3.1 assists per game before getting injured and missing the final seven games. 15. Pittsburgh (8-24, 0-18 ACC) The Panthers were historically terrible with an inexperi- enced squad, and combined with dwindling attendance, head coach Kevin Stallings was fired after the season. Pitt hired Duke assistant coach Jeff Capel, who had rebuilt Virginia Commonwealth and Oklahoma in the past. Pittsburgh will likely still be overmatched this season, but optimism about the future has returned. ACC Preseason Projections BY JACEY ZEMBAL