The 2026-27 college basketball season began on Sunday morning with Notre Dame and Villanova playing over in Rome. It's hard to believe, but the college basketball season is here, and the march to the 76-team NCAA Tournament in March is underway, with some very good and interesting non-conference games this month and into December.
As far as the ACC goes, it's going to be an interesting winter given all the changes that happened with the Transfer Portal and players going on to the NBA. The conference is heading once again to being top-heavy, but there are a lot of teams that are in the middle as the season begins, with some teams looking for some early-season statements.
Before the season tips off in full this week, let's fire up our Week1 ACC Men's Baksetball POwer Rankings.
Week 1 ACC Men's Basketball Power Rankings
18. Boston College
It wasn't surprising to see the Eagles move on from Earl Grant at the end of last season, but Luke Murray is quickly going to find out the difference between UConn and Boston College.
17. Georgia Tech
Scott Cross takes over in Atlanta and has the job of turning around a once-proud Yellow Jackets program that has struggled in the ACC in recent years. Huge roster turnover could very well make that happen this season.
16. Notre Dame
The Irish opened the season with a win over Villanova, which is a good result.
15. Wake Forest
Like so many other programs, the Demon Deacons overhauled their roster under Steve Forbes, which includes landing Virginia Tech transfer Antonio Dorn in the middle.
14. California
Mark Madsen lost some key performers to the portal, but the Golden Bears added some talent through ther portal and are looking to get over the hump and into the NCAA Tournament this season.
13. Stanford
Another West Coast team looking to get over the hump this season is Kyle Smith and the Cardinal, who have been knocking on the NCAA Tournament door but unable to kick it in. Will this be the season?
12. Syracuse
One team flying under the radar in the preseason is Syracuse under Jerry McNamara. He returns Sadiq White and Kiyan Anthony, which will make the Orange tough to play against.
11. North Carolina State
Will Wade is gone and is now back at LSU while Justin Gainey id left to rebuild what Wade left after bolting Raleigh.
10. Pittsburgh
Jeff Capel survived another season with the Panthers and needs results this winter to be back in 2027-28. This roster is more talented than last season's so results will really matter.
9. Florida State
The Seminoles are on the rise under second-year head coach Luke Loucks and it wouldn't be surprising to see FSU finish in the top half when all is said and done.
8. Virginia Tech
Mike Young lost some talent to the NBA Draft in Tobi Lawal and to the portal, but he added some through the portal and retained Ben Hammond, Tyler Johnson, and Amani Hansberry. The Hokies will be tested with a tough non-conference slate.
7. SMU
It's safe to say that the Mustangs need to really make a statement this season after the circus that surrounded them, making the NCA Tournament last season. The talent is certainly there.
6. Miami
Some feel the Hurricanes are going to be a Top 5 team, and they likely will, but Jai Lucas and his team need to prove it. If he does, he could become a hotly contested coach in the next coaching cycle for bigger schools.
5. Clemson
Don't count out Brad Brownell and the Tigers. He's a good coach who gets the most out of his talent.
4. North Carolina
Michael Malone makes the move from the NBA to college after being fired by the Denver Nuggets, and he landed Virginia Tech transfer Neoklis Avdalas from the portal. If there was an ideal landing spot for Avdalas, it's with Malone.
3. Louisville
The Cardinals are reloaded under Pat Kelsey and going to be a problem for the rest of the ACC.
2. Virginia
Ryan Odom retained Thijs De Ridder and returned guard Chance Mallory. The Cavaliers have the opportunity to dethrone Duke from the top spot when all is said and done.
1. Duke
John Scheyer has reloaded the Blue Devils roster, and they are once again a National Championship contender and might be deeper than they were last season.
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