ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Heels Back on Top

Our rankings have shaken up a little bit, particularly at the top, after most of the top teams in the ACC took a loss at some point last week. With seven games to go for most teams, let’s take a look at how the conference shapes up:

1) North Carolina (9-2 ACC, 21-4 Overall) Last Week: 2

The Heels barely beat Pitt and won a tight game in South Bend to jump back up to the top of our rankings. Thursday’s game at Duke could play a huge part in keeping UNC at the top of the conference.

2) Virginia (8-3 ACC, 18-5 Overall) Last Week: 1

The loss at Syracuse was a disappointing one, but after trouncing under-manned #4 Louisville, Wahoo fans should still feel good about UVa’s chances for a double bye week in the ACCT.

3) Florida State (8-3 ACC, 20-4 Overall) Last Week: 4

When the Hoos and the Heels meet twice over the remaining ACC schedule, it could be the Noles that take advantage. Following a couple of blowout wins, FSU’s relatively favorable remaining schedule has them in good shape to make a run towards a 1 or 2 seed.

4) Louisville (7-4 ACC, 19-5 Overall) Last Week: 3

The blowout loss in Charlottesville has plenty of forgivable context for the Cards, who were missing 4 productive players. They’ll need to regroup against a decent remaining schedule though, starting with hosting Miami on 2/11. No word yet if Coach Pitino will follow through on his “I’m going to kill him” sideline threats.

5) Duke (6-4 ACC, 18-5 Overall) Last Week: 6

If Duke can pull off the upset at home Thursday over UNC, they’ll be in great shape to make a run at a top 4 seed. They’ve still got a game against UVa and FSU later on, plus their Hall of Fame coach is back on the court. No one should be counting out Duke’s chances in March, but the contender-status games start this week.

6) Notre Dame (6-5 ACC, 17-7 Overall) Last Week: 5

The Irish are reeling right now. They’ve only dropped one spot this week, despite being losers of 4 straight (and 5 of 6). That says more about the middle of the conference and Notre Dame’s strong run to start ACC play than it does their recent performances. Luckily for Mike Brey and Co, 5 of their remaining 7 games are against lower-tier teams.

7) Syracuse (7-4 ACC, 15-9 Overall) Last Week: 9

The Cuse have won four straight, including big wins over UVa and FSU. They are right in the thick of competing for the conference title, something that looked more than unlikely a couple of weeks ago.

8) Virginia Tech (5-5 ACC, 16-6 Overall) Last Week: 7

The Hokies haven’t played since their spanking in Charlottesville last week but they do travel to Miami tomorrow.

VT clearly didn’t envision a W last week.

9) Miami (5-5 ACC, 15-7 Overall) Last Week: 10

Miami has been on a stretch recently that summarizes their whole season: good not great. Beat UNC by a lot. Lose to FSU by a lot. Win on the road at NCSU. Miami is a dangerous club, but clearly not in the top tier of the conference.

10) Georgia Tech (5-6 ACC, 13-10 Overall) Last Week: 8

Coach Josh continues his teams absurd season by follow two huge wins with two barf-level losses on the road. Clemson and Wake both soundly defeated the Yellow Jackets, who are going to need more than a win over whatever the hell Tusculum is to keep their NCAAT hopes alive.

11) Wake Forest (5-6 ACC, 14-9 Overall) Last Week: 11

A couple of wins over ACC bottom tier teams has Wake in a decent position to surprise folks if they pull off a couple of upsets. Playing in South Bend tonight against a tumbling ND squad presents their first chance...

12) Clemson (3-7 ACC, 13-9 Overall) Last Week: 12

A 48 point lost in Tallahassee was yet another abysmal showing for the Tigers, whose football natty makes me feel zero pity. They should get a new coach next year, so that’s exciting!

13) NC State (3-8 ACC, 14-10 Overall) Last Week: 13

Speaking of new coaches, it’s a shame for the rest of the ACC that Mark Gottfried isn’t locked into a lifetime contract. The Pack have lost 3 straight after winning in Durham. They are the most underachieving team in the country.

14) Pittsburgh (1-9 ACC, 12-11 Overall) Last Week: 15

The Pittsburgh Panthers have lost 8 straight games now, but that almost-W at UNC was enough to bump them up in our rankings. I don’t know why.

15) Boston College (2-9 ACC, 9-15 Overall) Last Week: 14

Not to be outdone, the Eagles from up north have lost 7 staight. Their almost-wins were against Miami, VT, and Wake. So...yeah...

Who voted for whom: