Preseason All-ACC First and Second-Team Predictions

It is ACC week here at On3, and we keep the content rolling with the 2023-24 basketball season previews.

ACC Basketball Preseason Power Rankings | The Top Ten Impact Transfers in the ACC | Ten Most Impactful Freshmen in the ACC

Let’s predict and discuss the first and second-team All-ACC performers.

First Team

C Armando Bacot (UNC)

Class: GR
Height/Weight: 6-11/240
2022-23 Stats: 15.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 blocks, 55.4% FG

The Buzz: Armando Bacot returns for a fifth year after breaking North Carolina’s all-time rebounding and double-double records. The 6-foot-10 center has been a production monster since stepping foot on campus and a central figure in 81 UNC wins in his career. Bacot averaged 15.9 points while leading the ACC with 10.4 rebounds per game last season. UNC carries lofty expectations this year, and for them to hit their mark, Bacot will have to be the focal point.

C Kyle Filipowski (Duke)

Class: So.
Height/Weight: 7-0/245
2022-23 Stats: 15.1 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1,3 steals, 44.1% FG

The Buzz: The ACC’s Rookie of the Year turned down positive first-round NBA Draft buzz to return to Duke for a second season. Kyle Filipowski had off-season hip surgery and is back to full speed in April. Filipowski was the ACC Tournament MVP as well as second-team All-ACC last season. Duke is pretty universally thought of as a top-five team this year, and a lot of what they do will be centered around FIlipowski.

G Reece Beekman (Virginia)

Class: Sr.
Height/Weight: 63/175
2022-23 Stats: 9.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 35.1% 3P

The Buzz: Reece Beekman is the reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second in the ACC in steals (1.8) and third in assists (5.2) while playing the fourth most minutes per outing (35,1). With Kihei Clark gone, Beekman will be the full-time lead guard. Playing beside Clark, he showed capable of creating offense while defending the point of attack. Beekman is the only returning starter for the Cavaliers this season. However, Tony Bennett retooled the team through the transfer portal. While this team is pretty universally predicted to finish top five in the ACC, Beekman will be the catalyst.

F PJ Hall (Clemson)

Class: Sr.
Height/Weight: 6-10/240
2022-23 Stats: 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 53.5% FG, 39.8% 3P

The Buzz: PJ Hall withdrawing from the NBA Draft and deciding to come back to Clemson for his senior year gave the Tigers a big boost. Even with losing Hunter Tyson to the NBA, the Tigers brought back integral pieces, and head coach Brad Brownell added experienced pieces through the portal. Hall will be the central figure of this Clemson team. The heart and soul of a program that is starting to gain traction as a sleeper top-five team in the league.

G Judah Mintz (Syracuse)

Class: So.
Height/Weight: 6-4/185
2022-23 Stats: 16.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.8 steals

The Buzz: Judah Mintz plays with a type of reckless abandon that is very endearing to Syracuse fans. The guard plays in straight lines toward the basket and with active hands on the defensive end. He finished third in the ACC last year in free-throws attempted and second in two-point field goal attempts. Syracuse brings in a new coach, which inevitably means a different system. They also bring in Notre Dame transfer and former McDonald’s All-American guard JJ Starling to share the backcourt with Mintz. It will be interesting to see how those two co-exist, but as they say, the best part about freshmen is they become sophomores. Mintz had a first-team ACC All-Freshman caliber first season.

Second Team

G Tyrese Proctor (Duke)

Class: So.
Height/Weight: 6-5/185
2022-23 Stats: 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists

The Buzz: There was NBA Buzz surrounding Tyrese Proctor last off-season, but the guard decided to come back to Duke for another season. His coming back, along with Kyle Filipowski, set the expectation bar high for the Blue Devils. Proctor is looking to have the ball in his hands a lot this season, with the ability to make decisions. Duke has nice guard depth, so he does not have to be great for them to succeed, but a step forward is expected as Proctor looks to enhance his NBA Draft stock.

G Nijel Pack (Miami)

Class: Sr.
Height/Weight: 6-0/185
2022-23 Stats: 13.6 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 40.4% 3P

The Buzz: Nijel Pack is one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the ACC. The 6-foot-0 guard has knocked down 41.6 percent of his attempts in 579 career attempts. Last year, he finished events in the league with 86 makes. This season, without ACC Player of the Year Isaiah Wong and first-team All-ACC Jordan Miller with him, Pack will be asked to do a lot more play initiation. Miami starts the year ranked No. 14 in the AP poll. A lot of Jim Larranaga’s success at Miami has centered around his guard play, where Pack will be a central figure.

C Norchad Omier (Miami)

Class: Sr.
Height/Weight: 6-7/240
2022-23 Stats: 13.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, 57.4% FG

The Buzz: While the guards played with a lot of freedom with the ball in their hands, it was Norchad Omier who manned the middle. Omier is a dirty work type of big. He plays physically and uses his length, instincts, and surprising quickness to make a lot of things happen both on the boards and the defensive end. A lot of Jim Larranaga’s success these past few years has come from playing four around one. The five position is asked to do a lot, both on the boards and the defensive end. On this year’s team, this is also not much proven depth behind him. Omier’s presence will be central to Miami’s success.

F Blake Hinson (Pittsburgh)

Class: GR
Height/Weight: 6-8/235
2022-23 Stats: 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 38.0% 3P

The Buzz: Pittsburgh made a run to the NCAA Tournament last season, and they returned their leading scorer and rebounder. Blake Hinson is a valuable tweener forward, able to play the four in smaller lineups and the three in bigger lineups. He has a strong and physical frame while also knocking down 38 percent of his threes on 7.1 attempts per game. Heading into this season, there is no question about who the leader of this Pittsburgh team will be. And, if they are looking to build off last season’s success, Hinson will need to continue playing at an All-SEC level.

G RJ Davis (UNC)

Class: Sr.
Height/Weight: 6-0/180
2022-23 Stats: 16.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 36.2% 3P

The Buzz: This is RJ Davis’ fourth year at UNC. He has been a part of 67 wins, a National Championship Game appearance, and a lot of conversation. This will be Davis’ first year as the focal point of the backcourt. For his first three years, he played alongside Caleb Love. Last year, Davis averaged 16.1 points and shot 36.2 percent from three. UNC will also return starter Armando Bacot while ushering in three new starters. This UNC team did not make the NCAA Tournament last season; Davis will be a central piece looking to get the Tar Heels back on track.