Streaking the Lawn’s ACC Men’s Basketball Power Rankings - 2/22/19

Round 1 of the UNC/Duke rivalry has certainly made things more fuzzy at the top of our power rankings, but for now we’ve still got the big three in last week’s order. Still, with a handful of big time games remaining for each of the 11-2 teams, it’ll be a fun last few weeks to see who’s getting the 1 seed in the ACC Tournament - and even the 1 seeds in the East or South NCAAT Regions.

1. Duke Blue Devils (23-3, 11-2 - Last Week: 1)

Zion injury aside, the Dukies were completely outplayed this week against Carolina. Granted, that’s a big missing component, but the sloppy ball possession and atrocious shooting from outside can’t all be blamed on losing one of your FOUR star players. Still, the resume speaks for itself and one loss isn’t enough to drop them from #1...

2. Virginia Cavaliers (23-2, 11-2 - Last Week: 2)

The Hoos just keep beating everyone not named Duke - and surely would love to play the Blue Devils when they shoot like they did against UNC. Tomorrow present a huge road test at Louisville, who were just walloped by Syracuse.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels (21-5, 11-2 - Last Week: 3)

What a huge win that was for the Heels in Durham. While the headlines will be dominated by Zion’s footwear and health, Carolina have emphatically vaulted themselves into the ACC title conversation. They face another big test hosting FSU tomorrow.

4. Florida State Seminoles (21-5, 9-4 - Last Week: 5)

Speaking of the Noles, they’ve continued their big run of wins this week. If they pull out a victory tomorrow in Chapel Hill, they should probably continue to be the favorite for the fourth ACCT double-bye (and might be the favorite for it regardless).

5. Louisville Cardinals (18-9, 9-5 - Last Week: 4)

The blowout loss to Syracuse continues the up and down trend for the Cardinals this year. There’s no shame in losing in the Carrier Dome, obviously, but at times this team has looked like a conference title contender - and at other times they’ve shown the inconsistency you’d expect in a team’s first year with a new coach.

6. Virginia Tech Hokies (20-6, 9-5- Last Week: 6)

BUZZ WILLIAMS INSPIRATIONAL TWEET OF THE WEEK:

So that was actually legitimately funny. Kudos, coach.

7. Syracuse Orange (18-8, 9-4 - Last Week: 8)

The Orange still have games against Duke, UNC, and UVa remaining. If they surprise in a couple of those, they’ll leap off the bubble and continue their 20 year streak of under-seeded team you don’t want to face in March. (They’re probably in the Big Dance regardless at this point, really).

8. North Carolina State Wolfpack (19-8, 7-7 - Last Week: 7)

Record against the ACC’s top 5 teams: 0-5

Record against the rest of the ACC: 7-2

The Pack have beaten Syracuse and get FSU on the road on 3/2 - they’re only remaining games are Wake, GT, and @BC, so bubble pressure makes those lesser games must-wins, really.

9. Clemson Tigers (15-11, 5-8 - Last Week: 9)

I watched a video yesterday of the Best Finishes in ACC games so far and more than half were buzzer beater or game-winning plays...against Clemson. Brutal collection of close losses for the Tigers, this year.

10. Miami Hurricanes (11-14, 3-10 - Last Week: 10)

Losing on the road to BC didn’t knock the Canes below the Eagles this week, probably due to their win over Clemson earlier in the week.

11. Boston College Eagles (13-12, 4-9 - Last Week: 13)

BC is doing their darnedest to get into the middle of the ACC pack, but their remaining schedule isn’t light: @Clemson, Louisville, @GT, UNC, NCSU. Still, there might be a pair of wins in that group.

12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (13-13, 3-10 - Last Week: 11)

The Irish lost a tough one to Wake Forest in a game that was tied with 2:50 left. Rough. Rough like their whole season has been.

13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (12-15, 4-10- Last Week: 12)

Georgia Tech beat Pitt this week and so they’ve got that going for them...which is nice.

14. Pittsburgh Panthers (12-15, 2-12 - Last Week: 14)

Who keeps putting this team in not last???

This team hasn’t won a game since JANUARY 14th.

15. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (10-15, 3-10 - Last Week: 15)

Meanwhile, the heroes of Winston-Salem are on a WINNING STREAK