This article is part of our Conference Preview series.
Every year is a rebuild/reload in the ACC, but 2019-20 feels a little bit more so. The conference lost its top five scorers and 12 of its top 16, producing 10 first-round NBA draft picks in the process. This year's incoming crop of freshmen, while likely still full of one-and-dones, isn't as star studded as usual, however, with just seven of the nation's top 40 recruits (per Rivals.com) joining the conference, many in spots where they aren't locked in to 30+ minutes nightly.
The league's top-tier in Duke, North Carolina and Virginia all have huge holes to fill, but will seemingly be next man up. Louisville and North Carolina State return more familiar faces in defined roles, while Pittsburgh's young team from a year ago will look to take a step forward. Notre Dame figures to be healthier, and there should be ample breakout players from depleted rosters at Virginia Tech, Syracuse, Boston College, Florida State and Clemson. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech, Miami and Wake Forest continue to search for conference relevance with largely uninspiring familiar rosters.
Key Players
Center: Vernon Carey Jr., Duke 
A position usually void of options, the ACC looks poised to offer solid depth at center despite our projections having only 12 bodies officially labelled as such. Carey gets the nod here, as many league formats require a freshman starter and a center, and he can kill two birds and allow for much greater roster flexibility, likely making him an early pick regardless of your
