The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has experienced a downturn over the past four years, sending five teams to the Final Four—more than any other conference in that time—and eight to the Elite Eight. During this period, the ACC also produced 31 NBA Draft selections along with a National Player of the Year.
Despite these achievements, the conference is plagued by criticisms regarding its overall performance, particularly with teams exiting the tournament early in March. This mediocrity has drawn considerable scrutiny from fans and analysts alike.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the ACC has not ranked higher than fifth in KenPom ratings, last achieving success in the 2020 season. The last time it claimed a national championship was in 2019 when Tony Bennett and the Virginia Cavaliers triumphed, creating a significant gap in accolades for the league.
The decline can be notably attributed to the struggles of several middle-tier programs, such as Virginia, Louisville, Florida State, Notre Dame, and Miami. Collectively, these teams made 14 NCAA Tournament appearances from 2016 to 2019, but since 2022, they have combined for just five tournament bids.
In an attempt to revitalize itself, the ACC expanded to 18 teams last year, adding Cal, Stanford, and SMU. Unfortunately, none of these newcomers made it to the NCAA Tournament, contributing to the ACC’s disappointment of sending only four teams to the dance—significantly less than the SEC.
Coaching Changes
Last season saw three veteran coaches retire, including Virginia’s Bennett, who stepped down a few weeks before the season began due to concerns about college basketball. Miami’s Jim Larranaga, with 448 victories and a Final Four appearance, resigned mid-season, while Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton concluded a notable 23-year tenure, leaving behind a legacy of twice as many wins as any previous Seminole coach.
With the departure of experienced leadership, the ACC hired 14 new coaches since 2021, replacing former championship-winning coaches. New leaders include Ryan Odom at UVA, Jai Lucas at Miami, and Luke Loucks at Florida State, with the hiring of Will Wade from McNeese State marking a significant addition for NC State after a rough season.
Transfer Portal and Recruiting
Duke has excelled in national recruiting, finishing with the highest-rated class according to Rivals, featuring standout Cameron Boozer, a top prospect for the 2026 NBA Draft. SMU and Notre Dame also secured top 10 recruiting classes, while additional teams like NC State and North Carolina finished within the top 25.
In terms of transfers, Syracuse led the ACC, and Florida State welcomed several new players, while NC State was particularly active in the portal. However, Virginia struggled, with significant losses under their new leadership.
Looking ahead, notable transfers such as Darrion Williams and Henri Veesaar could make an impact. The predicted All-Conference teams feature players from across the ACC, indicating a competitive season ahead. The First Team includes standouts like Markus Burton and JJ Starling, while a Freshman Team showcases incoming talent like Dame Sarr and Cameron Boozer.
