This past weekend was a big one on the sports calendar in general, but especially so for people with our particular affinities. The first UNC-Duke men’s basketball game of the season was on Saturday, and it ended up being quite the fun one for Tar Heels’ fans. Seth Trimble last second three-pointer gave Carolina a dramatic comeback win in a game where they led just 0.4 seconds.
Now that the game and the weekend is in the books, it’s time for our weekly look at the ACC in general with this weekend’s
edition of the power rankings.
1. Duke (22-2, 11-1 ACC)
Last Game: Beat Pitt 70-54
Up until Tuesday night, I was considering moving UNC all the way up, but where the Tar Heels failed to get over the hangover from Saturday night, the Blue Devils cruised.
Next Up: Saturday vs. Clemson
2. Clemson (20-4, 10-1 ACC)
Last Game: Beat Cal 77-55
A four-point loss to NC State is the only thing keeping the Tigers from the outright lead in the ACC standings.
Next Up: Tonight vs. Virginia Tech
3. North Carolina (19-5, 7-4 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Miami 75-66
The loss to Miami definitely took some of the shine off the Duke win, alas.
Next Up: Saturday vs. Pitt
4. Virginia (20-3, 9-2 ACC)
Last Game: Beat Florida State 61-58
Since losing to UNC, Virginia have played Notre Dame and Florida State a little too close for comfort, but they’ve been pretty impressive other than that.
Next Up: Saturday vs. Ohio State
5. Louisville (18-6, 8-4 ACC)
Last Game: Beat NC State 118-77
Since getting crushed by Duke, the Cardinals have won three straight, including a beatdown of State on Monday.
Next Up: Saturday vs. Baylor
6. Miami (19-5, 8-3 ACC)
Last Game: Beat UNC 75-66
Overall, Miami’s résumé is still okay, but they do now have a home loss to Cal, which isn’t horrible, but also isn’t ideal.
Next Up: Saturday at NC State
7. NC State (18-7, 9-3 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Louisville 118-77
The Wolfpack had been on a bit of a roll, with six-straight wins, but that ended on Monday with a blowout loss.
Next Up: Saturday vs. Miami
8. SMU (17-7, 6-5 ACC)
Last Game: Beat Notre Dame 89-81
Another situation where none of the losses are really bad, but the Mustangs have lost three of their last seven.
Next Up: Saturday at Syracuse
9. Cal (17-7, 5-6 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Clemson 77-55
At least according to the Bracket Matrix composite, Cal is sniffing around the NCAA Tournament bubble at the moment.
Next Up: Tonight at Syracuse
10. Virginia Tech (16-8, 5-6 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to NC State 82-73
VT are also right around the bubble, but they’ve lost three of their last four, albeit all to good teams.
Next Up: Tonight at Clemson
11. Stanford (15-9, 4-7 ACC)
Last Game: Beat Georgia Tech 95-72
I’m not sure it’ll lead to making the postseason or anything, but the Cardinal have been decent even beyond the UNC win this year.
Next Up: Tonight at Boston College
12. Florida State (11-13, 4-7)
Last Game: Lost to Virginia 61-58
They’re still under .500 for the season, but FSU have been better of late, winning four of their last six.
Next Up: Saturday at Virginia Tech
13. Syracuse (13-11, 4-7 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Virginia 72-59
They gave UNC a bit of a scare late in the game last week, but they’ve been slumping otherwise.
Next Up: Tonight vs. Cal
14. Georgia Tech (11-13, 2-9 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Stanford 95-72
Like a lot of the teams around them down here, Tech is on a losing streak of late, however, they have a decent win over NC State a couple weeks ago.
Next Up: Tonight vs. Wake Forest
15. Wake Forest (11-12, 2-8 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Louisville 88-80
Speaking of slumps, the Deacs are currently on a five-game losing streak going into tonight.
Next Up: Tonight at Georgia Tech
16. Pitt (9-16, 2-10 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Duke 70-54
It’s going to be very annoying if UNC has trouble with this particular Pitt team.
Next Up: Saturday at North Carolina
17. Notre Dame (11-14, 2-10 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to SMU 89-81
They do have a win over a team below them, but other than that, it’s been tough sledding of late for the Irish.
Next Up: Saturday vs. Georgia Tech
18. Boston College (9-14, 2-8 ACC)
Last Game: Lost to Miami 74-68
Even though they’re not last in the ACC and have picked up some wins recently, it’s tough not to have BC still at the bottom of the conference.
Next Up: Tonight vs. Stanford
