Summary of ACC Basketball Outlook from Card Chronicle via SBN:
Mike Rutherford at Card Chronicle breaks down how ACC Basketball can rebound: by securing better coaches and attracting stronger players—something that’s already starting to happen.
Pat Kelsey’s first year at Louisville was a standout example, showcasing elite coaching ability. Across the conference, smart coaching hires are laying the foundation for improvement. Ryan Odom looks sharp, Jai Lucas at Miami is expected to thrive, Will Wade is poised to bring success to NC State, and Damon Stoudamire impressed at Georgia Tech despite major injuries. Add in solid leaders like Duke’s Jon Scheyer, Clemson’s Brad Brownell, and SMU’s Andy Enfield, and the ACC’s future looks promising.
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Notably absent from that praise is North Carolina. Many UNC fans would admit Hubert Davis’s tenure has been inconsistent. While no one’s demanding his firing outright, the pressure will mount if performance doesn’t stabilize—especially if in-state rival NC State excels under Wade. If UNC slips to third place in the local pecking order, Davis’s job security could vanish.
That scenario could end a decades-long tradition of UNC hiring from within the Dean Smith coaching tree. Should Davis falter, UNC may finally look outside that lineage—possibly creating the most significant coaching opportunity at the school since the 1960s. Wes Miller was once a frontrunner, but his stock may be declining.
UNC once nearly handed the reins to an outsider in 2005, when Dean Smith reportedly considered Rick Majerus if Roy Williams declined the job. If it happens now, the ripple effect across the ACC could be massive.
Despite the fun some fans have watching UNC struggle, the ACC is stronger when the Tar Heels are contenders.
