Clemson men's basketball checked in at No. 6 in 247Sports' way-too-early power rankings for the ACC:
Projected starting lineup:
G Jaeden Zackery G Chase Hunter F Chauncey Wiggins F Ian Schieffelin F Viktor Lakhin Top bench options: G Dillon Hunter, Wing Asa Thomas, F Myles Foster, C Christian Reeves
The scoop: The PJ Hall era is over, but Clemson isn't going anywhere in the ACC pecking order. Veteran guards were vital for Brad Brownell this past season, and he's doubling down on it, substituting Boston College transfer Jaeden Zackery into Joe Girard's vacant spot next to Chase Hunter. Cincinnati transfer Viktor Lakhin is primed for a major bounceback season, and The Chef (Ian Schieffelin) should pair well together. Clemson's recipe hasn't changed much. Good bigs. Veteran guards. Lots of positional size. That's a good plan for success in a wide-open ACC.
The 247 Top 5 is Duke, UNC, Miami, Louisville and Wake Forest.
I just dont see Louisville with all those new pieces, and Wake Forest that had key loses and new transfers although talented don't have a lot of experience being ahead of Clemson.