ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Blue Devils Bump Up?

The ACC tournament is less than a month away and there are seven teams realistically competing for the top 4 double-bye seeds. North Carolina slipped up in Durham but still have a lead in the race for first place, while the Blue Devils have won 5 straight going into Wednesday’s trip to Charlottesville. Here’s how our writers see the conference currently:

1) North Carolina (9-3, 21-5 Overall) Last Week: 1

The Heels lost a close game on the road to their rival, but are very much still the favorite to win the conference. They’ve still got to play the Hoos twice, Louisville, and Duke, however. That’s one of the toughest final stretches in the country.

2) Duke (8-4, 20-5 Overall) Last Week: 5

As Coach K hinted in this article’s lead art, Duke is number 2 this week. Wednesday’s game in Charlottesville will have huge implications for both teams. If the Blue Devils win, they’ll be in great shape to land a top 2 ACC seed, even with games against FSU and UNC remaining. They look like the hottest team in the conference right now, but most of those recent wins have been at home...

3) Virginia (8-4, 18-6 Overall) Last Week: 2

The loss in Blacksburg was a huge missed opportunity - as the remaining schedule for the Hoos is immensely tough. Considering the current standings, UVa could easily end up anywhere between 2nd or 7th in the conference. While their losses have been close ones - the recent ones have included letting double digit leads slip away in the second half. If the Hoos win Wednesday night though, they should be in good standing even with two games against UNC left on the schedule.

4) Florida State (9-4, 21-5 Overall) Last Week: 3

Even with the loss at Notre Dame, Florida State has a huge chance of securing the first or second ACC seed - as their remaining schedule is lighter than the other top seeds. Still, road trips to Duke and Pitt (no sure thing) remain.

5) Louisville (8-4, 20-5 Overall) Last Week: 4

Tonight’s game in Syracuse is enormous for the Cardinals (as if any ACC games left aren’t huge...). They’re right in the thick of the standings at 8-4 with two other teams - but a loss would move them behind Notre Dame and Syracuse as well.

6) Notre Dame (8-5, 19-7 Overall) Last Week: 6

The Irish were reeling before their wins over Wake and FSU. They close the season with 4 should-wins and one could-win (at Lousiville). If they go 4-1, they’ll be in fantastic shape for a top 4 seed...but should-wins are nothing certain in this league.

7) Syracuse (8-5, 16-10 Overall) Last Week: 7

Losing at Pitt really threw a wrench into Syracuse’s plans for a run at a double bye. With two games against Louisville and one hosting Duke left on their schedule, the Orange may need to win 2 of those 3 (and beat GT twice) to get to 4th place.

8) Virginia Tech (6-6, 17-7 Overall) Last Week: 8

This is where I usually make fun of Buzz Williams for his absurd tweets. Unfortunately, missed free throws, a banked 3 pointer, and cheating-hokie-rims-that-defy-physics have made me too annoyed to do so. There was a really dumb one about God influencing basketball games though, if you want to go check.

9) Miami (6-6, 16-8 Overall) Last Week: 9

Miami should be in the NCAAT field, but won’t be able to pull off the flawless run needed for an ACC double-bye. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Canes string together a couple of NCAAT wins though (or make noise in the ACCT, for that matter).

10) Wake Forest (6-7, 15-10 Overall) Last Week: 11

Wake and GT are clearly the line between the ACCs “ok” teams and their “bad” teams. They won 3 of their last 4 - including beating NCSU by 30 at home. Their recent win over the Yellow Jackets was a blowout as well, so they’ve deservedly moved up a spot in our rankings.

11) Georgia Tech (6-6, 15-10 Overall) Last Week: 10

GT fans are probably immensely happy with the team sitting at .500 currently in ACC play. They could very well lose out, but don’t be surprised to see the Jackets pull off a couple upsets and make a push for bubble status.

12) Clemson (3-9, 13-11 Overall) Last Week: 12

Clemson pulled out of their enormous losing streak recently with a couple of wins - and now has promptly lost three straight. They’re just not very good, which is a shame because Jaron Blossomgame is immensely fun to watch.

13) Pittsburgh (3-9, 14-11 Overall) Last Week: 14

The Panthers have won two straight in conference for the first time all season. If they can beat the Hokies tomorrow, Virginia fans might forgive them a little bit...like 5% or so.

14) NC State (3-10, 14-12 Overall) Last Week: 13

I don’t think many people expected this talented of a roster to be quite this bad. The Wolfpack have lost 5 straight games after their win against Duke - and the players seem to have quit on their coach. Next up? North Carolina on the 15th.

15) Boston College (2-11, 9-17 Overall) Last Week: 15

Luckily for NCSU, Boston College is still devastatingly terrible.

Who voted for whom: