The 2016 college basketball season concluded with the ACC’s UNC-Chapel Hill falling just short of giving the conference its first repeat championship since 2009–2010.
By no means does this make the season a disappointment for the ACC, however. The conference sent a record six teams to the Sweet 16 and is clearly on the upswing. Conference play was particularly competitive this season, with only two true bottom-dwelling teams that were regularly knocked around.
Several National Player of the Year candidates also hailed from the ACC, and Duke’s Brandon Ingram appears slated to be a top pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. With much talent moving on, let’s take a look at how each team lived up to expectations this season and how they project to fare in the next.
1. North Carolina (33-7, 14-4 ACC): The Tar Heels won both the conference’s regular season championships, posting an impressive 14-4 record, and the more-important tournament championship. This success catapulted them to a one-seed despite their slow start to the season.
They reached the title game largely on the shoulders of seniors Brice Johnson and Marcus Paige, who leave behind huge gaps to fill. That being said, UNC has a deep roster, rich with talent, as well as a decent incoming recruiting class, so they’ll be near the top of the conference again next season, but without the firepower to make another championship run.
2. Virginia (29-8, 13-5): Any less than an Elite Eight appearance would have been a disappointment for this loaded Cavaliers team. They managed to get that far, but losing to conference-mate Syracuse has to sting.
They lose two National Player of the Year candidates, guard Malcolm Brogdon and forward Anthony Gill, to graduation, and the only returner who averaged more than five points per game is rising senior London Perrantes. 2017 will be a rebuilding season, but a deep recruiting class will have the Cavaliers back in ACC-title contention within two or three seasons.
3. Miami FL (27-8, 13-5): The Hurricanes earned a spot in the national tournament for the first time since 2013, reaching the Sweet 16 where they lost to eventual-champion Villanova.
Head coach Jim Larranaga built off this success with a strong recruiting class, but they do lose their top-two scorers, Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez, as well as their top rim-protector Tonye Jekiri.
4. Louisville (23-8, 12-6): The Cardinals missed out on the postseason due to a self-imposed ban, but had a very successful season and likely would have earned a two-seed if not for the ban. They lose their top-two scorers, but have lots of developing young talent to step in.
5. Duke (25-11, 11-7): The Blue Devils were the ACC’s biggest disappointment, coming into the season as title contenders but never truly putting together all of their talent. If leading scorer Grayson Allen spurns the NBA Draft, they’ll likely come into the season as the No. 1 team given their loaded recruiting class.
6. Notre Dame (24-12, 11-7): The Fighting Irish is another team that loses its top two scorers, one to graduation and the other, Demetrius Jackson, to early NBA Draft entry. There is little for fans to complain about, though, after consecutive Elite Eight appearances.
7. Clemson (17-14, 10-8): The Tigers started off ACC play strong, but lost momentum toward the end of the season and fell just short of a tournament bid. If forward Jaron Blossomgame leaves for the NBA, they could take a big step back given their relatively absent recruiting class.
8. Virginia Tech (20-15, 10-8): The Hokies were overlooked for much of the season, but gained attention after they won their final five ACC games. They lose virtually no contributors, so despite their poor recruiting class, they project to compete for a national tournament bid next season.
9. Syracuse (23-14, 9-9): The Orange had an up-and-down season that ended in a surprise Final Four appearance. They lose leading-scorer Michael Gbinije, but have lots of rising young talent and a solid incoming recruiting class.
10. Pittsburgh (21-12, 9-9): A first-round national tournament exit casts a sour spell on this season for the Panthers, but they return most of their talent and should return to the Big Dance next season.
11. Georgia Tech (21-15, 8-10): Slated to lose their top-four scorers to graduation, the outlook in 2017 does not look great for the Yellow Jackets.
12. Florida State (20-14, 8-10): The Seminoles fell short of expectations in 2016 but return with freshman sensation Dwayne Bacon and have a top-10 recruiting class on the way in.
13. NC State (16-17, 5-13): The Wolfpack loses All-ACC point guard Cat Barber to the NBA, but have two impact transfers and the nation’s top point guard recruit on the way. After a down season, the program should be back in the top half of the conference in 2017.
14. Wake Forest (11-20, 2-16): Losing four-year starter and leader Devin Thomas will hurt, but the Demon Deacons have a young, deep bench and return one of the league’s top freshman, point guard Bryant Crawford.
15. Boston College (7-25, 0-18): After going winless in the conference, the Eagles lose their top scorer, Eli Carter, and should remain in the ACC cellar next season.
