The ACC had a down year last season, but many experts and fans expect the conference to have a massive season in 2025-26. The ACC will have some National Championship caliber teams and see some great programs take a step forward after a tremendous offseason.
The offseason is the time fan bases fall in love with all their additions and trick everyone into believing they have a chance to make it to the Big Dance. However, 18 teams in the ACC and just 15 teams make the ACC Tournament, meaning that some fans must realize their season is over before it starts.
ACC basketball's “no chance” tier for 2025: The teams already out of the race
The ACC will see multiple teams on the bubble or locks for the March Madness tournament, but others must realize they have no chance. Most rosters are set, or have just a few spots to fill, meaning it is time to crush these delusional fan bases that think they might have a chance at the ACC crown.
Here are the five ACC teams that find themselves in the "No Chance" tier to win the conference in 2025.
Boston College Eagles
2024 ACC Record: 4–16
Portal Rank: 14th (4 transfers, 87.67 avg rating)
Boston College will have seven new faces next season, making the Eagles inexperienced and having low expectations. 247Sports ranks Boston College's newest members 89th in the nation. Last season, Boston College finished second-to-last in the ACC with a 4-16 record in the conference and a 12-19 record overall. Their lack of depth will hurt them, and behind Donald Hand Jr., they don't have much.
Stanford Cardinal
2024 ACC Record: 11–9
Portal Rank: N/A
Stanford finished seventh in the ACC last season, but after not adding anyone from the transfer portal, Kyle Smith's ceiling isn't high. The Cardinal had an 11-9 ACC record last season and is expected to be one of the league's bottom teams in the 2025-26 season. Stanford lost its second-highest scorer from last season, Oziyah Sellers, and will have a tough road next season. It will most likely be towards the bottom of the ACC.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
2024 ACC Record: 10–10
Portal Rank: 15th (3 transfers, 89.00 avg rating)
Georgia Tech put together a solid season last year and even upset Louisville and Clemson, but their roster lost a massive piece when Nathan George transferred to Syracuse. Their power forward, Duncan Powell, went to Providence, making the Yellow Jackets search for answers for the 2025-26 season. Georgia Tech finished eighth in the ACC a year ago, and while that might still be a possibility for 2025-26, they will not be a team in the conversation to win the title.
Cal Golden Bears
2024 ACC Record: 6–14
Portal Rank: 8th (7 transfers, 90.83 avg rating)
The Golden Bears have seven new players coming in, but lost significant players to the transfer portal like Andrej Stojakovic and Jeremiah Wilkinson. Cal's seven commits from the transfer portal are ranked eighth in the ACC, making Cal appear to lose momentum from last season's disappointing year. The Golden Bears could rise as a program that upsets a team, but they will not be close to the top of the ACC when the season concludes.
Florida State
2024 ACC Record: 8–12
Portal Rank: 10th (6 transfers, 90.60 avg rating)
Florida State will bring four 4-stars from the transfer portal and six transfers, but they lost their best player, Jamir Watkins, to either the NBA or the transfer portal. The Seminoles also lost key players like Malique Ewin and Daquan Davis, and aren't gaining much in return. Florida State's transfer portal is ranked 10th in the ACC. Florida State will lack depth, and the ceiling is to finish in the middle of the pack, making them out of any ACC Title conversation.