Streaking the Lawn’s ACC Men’s Basketball Power Rankings - 12/12/18

There’s not a ton of movement this week in our rankings, as few surprising results occurred and scheduling slows down for exams. Still, things do seem to be taking shape as to which teams are contenders in the ACC and which are not. Take a look:

1. Duke Blue Devils (9-1, 0-0 - Last Week: 1)

The Blue Devils most recent dunkathon came at the expense of Yale - we get to wait until January 8th for them to play an actual road game. What fun! Despite the one loss, the majority of our writers have Duke at the top of our rankings - could this be the media’s influence?!!?

(it’s more likely because Duke looks really good)

2. Virginia Cavaliers (9-0, 0-0 - Last Week: 2)

The Hoos survived a stiff test from VCU this weekend - but will need freshman PG Kihei Clark to recover from his wrist surgery ASAP to stay atop the ACC standings. Some shaky offense was the biggest concern against a good-to-very-good Rams team and the Hoos will get to address those on the road at South Carolina after exam break.

3. Florida State Seminoles (8-1, 0-0 - Last Week: 4)

Beating UConn was another impressive early result for the Noles and they look more and more like a conference title contender as the season goes on. Their next big test? Not until conference play begins for them...in Charlottesville on 1/5.

4. North Carolina Tar Heels (7-2, 0-0 - Last Week: 3)

Goodness gracious did the Heels get shellacked by Michigan on the road - then rebounded again UNCW at home. They host the Zags in a few days when we might get a better idea of just how capable Roy William’s team is.

5. Virginia Tech Hokies (8-1, 0-0 - Last Week: 5)

BUZZ WILLIAMS INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

bold advice!

6. Syracuse Orange (7-2, 0-0 - Last Week: 6)

Syracuse barely escaped a challenge from Georgetown in their last game - the defense was good enough to force 10 steals and the offense exploded for 50 second half points. The Orange have ODU and Buffalo next - both should be entertaining tests.

7. North Carolina State Wolfpack (8-1, 0-0 - Last Week: 8)

Since our last rankings, the Wolfpack played only in a blowout win against Western Carolina. Torin Dorn is pacing the team with 16 pts a game and shooting 47.8% from 3.

8. Louisville Cardinals (6-3, 0-0 - Last Week: 7)

The Cardinals lost to Indiana on the road by a point - with all three of their losses being close (and understandable), Chris Mack’s team will probably surprise a few of the top ACC squads in the coming weeks.

9. Clemson Tigers (6-3, 0-0 - Last Week: 9)

Clemson played Mississippi State in New Jersey and were thoroughly beaten - mainly due to the Bulldogs shooting 63% from 3. They face a Radford team this weekend that owns wins over Notre Dame and Texas already this season.

10. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-3, 0-0 - Last Week: 11)

The Irish had chances to bolster their OOC resume with games against Oklahoma and UCLA, but dropped them both. That leaves Purdue on Saturday as the biggest chance to get a non-ACC impressive victory.

11. Miami Hurricanes (5-4, 0-0 - Last Week: 10)

LLLL

So goes the recent results for the Canes. Ouch.

Seton Hall, Rutgers, Yale, Penn - none of whom is a cupcake (well, maybe Rutgers) - but still, the Canes have only three games left to get things going before ACC play starts.

12. Boston College Eagles (6-2, 0-0 - Last Week: 13)

BC hung 95 points on the Providence Friars...but lost by 5. That’s a game replay I need to go watch. Right now.

13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (5-3, 0-0 - Last Week: 14)

Not a lot has changed for the Jackets since our rankings last week - but a big win over FAMU was enough to move them up a spot in our rankings. Pitt’s loss is Josh Pastner’s gain!

14. Pittsburgh Panthers (7-3, 0-0 - Last Week: 12)

The Panthers lost a tough one to rival WVU - better than losing to Niagra again!

Three cupcakes await Pitt before UNC comes to town in a few weeks.

15. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-3, 0-0 - Last Week: 15)

Winning against Charlotte in a rout was a good response for the Deacs, but now they’ve got Davidson and Tennessee up next. Wake is currently 223nd in the country in scoring defense at 73.3 per game.