Way Too Early 2026-27 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rankings (Post-Transfer Portal)

The ACC is a premier power conference with several national contenders and significant roster turnover. These rankings are ordered primarily by 2025-26 KenPom offensive efficiency (AdjO + national rank), with returning production, net portal impact, and specific player movement as key factors. Each team includes both offense and defense.

1. Duke Blue Devils

(2025-26 AdjO: 128.1, #6 | AdjD: 90.7, #3)

Net Change: Neutral to better. Loaded with returning talent and elite freshmen.

Biggest additions:

• John Blackwell (transfer from Wisconsin, 19.1 PPG, 43% FG, 39% from 3PT, All-Big Ten)

• Drew Scharnowski (transfer from Belmont, All-MVC First Team, strong interior scorer/rebounder)

• Jacob Theodosiou (transfer from Loyola Maryland)

Biggest losses: Limited major departures (some rotation players entered the portal).

Clear favorite and national title contender with one of the best offenses and overall rosters in the country.

2. Virginia Cavaliers

(2025-26 AdjO: 122.8 , #27 | AdjD: 97.1, #17)

Net Change: Neutral. Elite defense with offensive improvements. The return of Thijs De Ridder (15.6 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 50.8% FG) after a huge freshman season is a massive boost.

Biggest additions:

• Jurian Dixon (transfer from UC Irvine, 15.9 PPG, 38.5% from 3PT)

• Christian Harmon (transfer from Arkansas State, 12.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.5 APG)

• Kalu Anya (transfer from Saint Louis, 6.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG strong defender)

• Jan Vide (transfer from Loyola Marymount, 12.1 PPG, 4.0 APG)

Biggest losses: No major departues in the portal.

Competitive with trademark pack-line defense and added scoring.

3. Louisville Cardinals

(2025-26 AdjO: 123.5 , #22 | AdjD: 98.9, #27)

Net Change: Neutral to better. 

Biggest additions:

• Flory Bidunga (transfer from Kansas, All-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year candidate, 13.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG, elite rim protector)

• Jackson Shelstad (transfer from Oregon, 15.6 PPG, 4.9 APG)

• Karter Knox (transfer from Arkansas, 8.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, explosive athlete)

• Alvaro Folgueiras (transfer from Iowa, 8.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG)

• De’Shayne Montgomery (transfer from Dayton, 13.4 PPG, 4.0 APG)

Biggest losses: Sananda Fru (6-11 forward, 9.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 75.3% FG), Kasean Pryor (versatile forward, 10.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG), and Vangelis Zougris (7-0 center, 7.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.4 BPG) all entered the transfer portal.

Competitive upper tier under Pat Kelsey with one of the strongest portal classes in the nation.

4. NC State Wolfpack

(2025-26 AdjO: 123.1, #24 | AdjD: 103.9, #75)

Net Change: Neutral. Balanced production.

Biggest additions:

• Preston Edmead (transfer from Hofstra, 16.1 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.4 APG, CAA Rookie of the Year)

• Christian Hammond (transfer from Santa Clara, 15.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 48.4% FG)

• Eemeli Yalaho (transfer from Washington State, 10.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.7 APG, 47.0% FG)

• Kyle Evans (transfer from UC Irvine, nations leader in BPG, 12.1 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.3 BPG, 62.0% FG)

• Darius Adams (transfer from Maryland, 10.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.6 APG)

Biggest losses: Rotation players entered the portal.

Mid-pack projection with a solid portal haul under new coaching.

5. Miami Hurricanes

(2025-26 121.0, #35 | AdjD: 100.4, #35)

Net Change: Neutral to better. Aggressive portal rebuild. The return of Shelton Henderson (13.8 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 56.7% FG) and fellow freshman year starting guard Dante Allen (6.6 PPG) establishes this backcourt.

Biggest additions:

• Acaden Lewis (transfer from Villanova, 12.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 1.9 SPG)

• Somto Cyril (transfer from Georgia, 9.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.2 BPG)

• Nick Dorn, Brent Bland, and additional perimeter/ frontcourt depth.

Biggest losses: Key rotation players including Tru Washington entered the portal.

Key returning talent while gaining scoring and defense with a strong incoming class.

6. North Carolina Tar Heels

(2025-26 AdjO: 120.7 , #36 | AdjD: 100.6, #38)

Net Change: Neutral to better. Strong returning core.

Biggest additions:

• Neoklis Avdalas (transfer from Virginia Tech, 12.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 4.6 APG)

• Terrence Brown (transfer from Utah, 19.9 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.4 RPG, All-Big 12 Honorable Mention)

• Matt Able (transfer from NC State, 6-6 wing with scoring versatility)

Biggest losses: Derek Dixon (transfer to Arizona, 8.7 PPG, 3.2 APG, 38% from 3PT) and Luka Bogavac (transfer to Oklahoma State, 7.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 40.8% from 3PT), plus other rotation players.

Annual contender with championship pedigree and strong perimeter additions.

7. Clemson Tigers

(2025-26 AdjO: 116.6, #71 | AdjD: 98.0, #24)

Net Change: Neutral.  Balanced returning production. Biggest additions:

• Cole Certa (transfer from Notre Dame, 16.1 PPG in late season, 89.2% FT, strong perimeter scorer)

• Liutauras Lelevicius (transfer from TCU, 9.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 38.5% from 3PT)

• David Fuchs (versatile forward with solid rebounding and scoring)

Biggest losses: Several rotation players entered the portal. Battle for upper tier with improved guard play and athleticism.

8. SMU Mustangs

(2025-26 AdjO: 122.7, #28 | AdjD: 105.9, #106)

Net Change: Neutral to better.  

Biggest additions:

• Jaylin Stewart (transfer from UConn, 4.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, strong wing scorer)

• Jacob Patrick (incoming high-upside forward)

• Gehrig Normand (transfer, experienced big)

• Johan Munch (transfer, frontcourt depth)

Biggest losses: Samet Yigitoglu (to Indiana) and others.

Competitive newcomer projection.

9. Florida State Seminoles

(2025-26 AdjO: 118.2 , #56 | AdjD:105.1, #93)

Net Change: Neutral to better.  

Biggest additions:

• Anthony Robinson II (transfer from Missouri, 8.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.0 APG)

• Sebastian Rancik (transfer from Colorado, 12.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG)

Biggest losses: Rotation players entered the portal. Rebuilding year with a strong portal class under new coaching.

10. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

(2025-26 AdjO: 116.9, #70 | AdjD: 106.4, #113)

Net Change: Neutral to better.  

Biggest additions:

• Ring Nyeri (transfer from Northern Colorado, 15.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.1 APG)

• Kevair Kennedy (transfer from Merrimack, MAAC Player/Rookie of the Year, 18.4 PPG, 4.2 APG)

• Davide Denaro (transfer from Siena, 14.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 38% from 3PT)

Biggest losses: Juke Harris (leading scorer, 14.2 PPG, 4.1 APG, 39% from 3PT) to Tennessee, Myles Colvin (transfer out, 10.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 37% from 3PT) to Cincinnati and other rotation players departed.

11. Syracuse Orange

(2025-26 AdjO: 114.6, #87 | AdjD: 105.2, #95)

Net Change: Neutral to better. 

Biggest additions:

• Gavin Doty (transfer from Siena, 18.0 PPG)

• Aiden Tobiason (transfer from Temple, 15.3 PPG)

• Tasman Goodrick (transfer from Siena, 9.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG)

• Garwey Dual, Luke Wilson (Sun Belt DPOY), and others.

Biggest losses: J.J. Starling, Donnie Freeman, and multiple rotation players entered the portal.

Potential to climb under new coaching with a major portal haul.

12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

(2025-26 AdjO: 115.5 , #80 | AdjD: 107.0, #127)

Net Change: Neutral to better.  

Biggest additions:

• Logan Duncomb (transfer from Winthrop, 18.3 PPG, 8.9 RPG)

Biggest losses: Markus Burton (to Indiana), Jalen Haralson (to Tennessee), and others.

Potential to climb with a solid portal class.

13. Virginia Tech Hokies

(2025-26 AdjO: 117.1, #67 | AdjD: 103.8, #74)

Net Change: Neutral to worse. Significant turnover.

Biggest additions:

• Kuol Atak (transfer from Oklahoma, 7.0 PPG)

• Miles Heide (transfer from San Diego State, 5.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG)

Biggest losses: Key scorers including Neoklis Avdalas (to UNC) entered the portal.

Rebuilding year.

14. Stanford Cardinal

(2025-26 AdjO: 117.0 , #69 | AdjD: 104.1, #79)

Net Change: Neutral to worse. Heavy rebuild.

Biggest additions:

• Austin Maurer (transfer from Seattle, 7-0 center, 9.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.7 BPG)

• Christian Bliss (transfer from Delaware, 6-4 guard, 13.4 PPG, 3.9 APG, 39% from 3PT)

  
  

Biggest losses: Rotation scoring

Likely near the basement.

15. California Golden Bears (Cal)

(2025-26 AdjO: 114.5 , #88 | AdjD: 103.5, #68)

Net Change: Neutral.  

Biggest additions:

• Jordan Ross (transfer from Georgia)

• Amier Ali (transfer from Mississippi State)

Biggest losses: Justin Pippen, Dai Dai Ames, and others entered the portal.

Bottom projection as they adjust.

16. Pittsburgh Panthers

(2025-26 AdjO: 113.6 , #102 | AdjD: 106.4, #114)

Net Change: Neutral to better. Significant portal reset.

Biggest additions:

• A’lahn Sumler (transfer from Charleston Southern, high-scoring guard)

• Baye Ndongo (transfer from Georgia Tech)

• Dominique Diomande (transfer from BYU/Washington)

• Naithan George, Jonathan Powell, Jalil Bethea, and Colin Hawkins.

Biggest losses: Multiple key contributors entered the portal.

Rebuilding year with one of the largest portal classes in the conference.

17. Boston College Eagles

(2025-26 AdjO: 103.7, #278 | AdjD: 102.9, #64)

Net Change: Neutral to better. Portal-focused rebuild.

Biggest additions:

• Money Williams (transfer from Montana, 20.6 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.7 APG, 49.3% FG)

• Ernest Shelton (transfer from Merrimack, 15.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 38.6% FG, 34.6% from 3PT)

• Jacob Furphy (transfer from UConn)

• Brandon Benjamin (transfer from Fairfield, elite offensive rebounder)

• Andrija Bukumirovic and Armoni Zeigler.

  
  

Biggest losses: Multiple key players including Jayden Hastings, Marko Radunovic, Boden Kapke, and others entered the portal.

Potential upside with a nearly complete roster overhaul.

18. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

(2025-26 AdjO: 107.5 , #205 | AdjD: 107.3, #134)

Net Change: Neutral to worse. Heavy roster changes.

Biggest additions:

• Victor Valdés (6-7 forward transfer from Troy, 14.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.5 APG)

• Kaiden Bailey (6-2 guard)

• Tylis Jordan (transfer from Ole Miss)

• Courtland Muldrew and other freshmen/portal pieces.

Biggest losses: Jaeden Mustaf, Akai Fleming, Mouhamed Sylla, Brandon Stores, Baye Ndongo, Peyton Marshall, and multiple others entered the portal.

Bottom outlook with a major rebuild.

Atlantic Coast Conference Big Picture for 2026-27

Duke leads the way as the clear favorite with elite talent and continuity. Virginia is right at the top with the return of Thijs De Ridder. North Carolina added strong transfers in Neoklis Avdalas, Terrence Brown, and Matt Able while losing Derek Dixon (8.7 PPG, 3.2 APG, 38% from 3PT) and Luka Bogavac (7.4 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 40.8% from 3PT). Louisville remains dangerous with a loaded portal class. Miami, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, NC State, Boston College, and Georgia Tech all had major portal activity. The ACC should produce 5-7 NCAA Tournament teams, with Duke as the top projected squad.