It’s Christmas week in the college basketball season, which is usually a fairly quiet period. Most ACC teams are only playing once this week, as they mostly relax ahead of the beginning of conference play. With this being a fairly natural opening in the season, let’s use it to do our weekly check in. With another week in the books, let’s take a look at our ACC Power Rankings for this week.
1. Duke (11-1)
Last Game: Lost to Texas Tech 82-81
Probably a bit heretical for a UNC fan to not drop the Blue Devils after their
first loss, especially considering the way they ended up losing. However unfortunately, the rest of their season so far has been good enough for me to not ding them too much yet. as much as I would like to.
Next Game: 12/31 vs. Georgia Tech
2. North Carolina (12-1)
Last Game: Beat East Carolina 99-51
As Tar Heel fans, we couldn’t have asked for much more from Carolina’s non-conference slate, and now it’s time for them to prove it in the ACC.
Next Game: Tuesday vs. Florida State
3. Louisville (10-2)
Last Game: Beat Montana 94-54
Louisville bounced back well from their Tennessee loss, as they obliterated Montana.
Next Game: Tuesday at Cal
4. Virginia (11-1)
Last Game: Beat American 95-51
None of their victories so far have come against truly marquee opposition, but ratings like KenPom tend to like what the Cavaliers have done so far.
Next Game: 12/31 at Virginia Tech
5. Cal (12-1)
Last Game: Beat Columbia 74-56
The Golden Bears have had a very successful non-conference season, but they’ll be tested to open ACC play, facing Louisville and Virginia in their first three games.
Next Game: Tuesday vs. Louisville
6. Miami (11-2)
Last Game: Beat North Florida 105-67
They’ve lost their two games against ranked opposition so far, but other than that, the Hurricanes have won every other game, almost all by double digits.
Next Game: Tuesday vs. Pitt
7. Clemson (10-3)
Last Game: Beat Cincinnati 68-65
They got the win in the end, but Clemson nearly blew a 27-point lead against Cincinnati last time out.
Next Game: 12/31 at Syracuse
8. NC State (9-4)
Last Game: Beat Ole Miss 76-62
The Wolfpack picked up their first win over power conference opposition by beating Ole Miss in their most recent game.
Next Game: 12/31 vs. Wake Forest
9. SMU (10-2)
Last Game: Beat Central Arkansas 99-82
Both were against solid opposition, but SMU have lost two of their last four games.
Next Game: Sunday vs. Cal State Fullerton
10. Syracuse (9-4)
Last Game: Beat Stonehill 77-48
Syracuse has responded pretty well to a weird loss to Hofstra, winning three-straight since.
Next Game: 12/31 vs. Clemson
11. Virginia Tech (11-2)
Last Game: Beat Elon 82-81
The Hokies have a good record and some decent enough wins, but needing overtime to get past Elon was probably not the way they wanted to wrap up non-conference play.
Next Game: 12/31 vs. Virginia
12. Wake Forest (9-4)
Last Game: Lost to Vanderbilt 98-67
Wake are another case where none of their losses are particularly bad, but none of the wins are all that impressive either.
Next Game: 12/31 at NC State
13. Stanford (10-2)
Last Game: Beat Colorado 77-68
Their record is obviously good, but I can’t say I’m all that wowed by the Cardinal’s résumé so far.
Next Game: Saturday vs. Cal State Northridge
14. Georgia Tech (8-4)
Last Game: Beat Lafayette 95-81
Having lost three in a row a couple weeks ago, Tech are now on a three-game winning streak, albeit all against small conference opposition.
Next Game: Sunday vs. Florida A&M
15. Notre Dame (9-4)
Last Game: Lost to Purdue Fort Wayne 72-69
Wow, a three-point loss to Purdue, that’s not bad for the Irish. *puts fingers to ear piece* Oooooooooh nooooooo.
Next Game: Tuesday at Stanford
16. Florida State (7-6)
Last Game: Beat Jacksonville 87-63
FSU have finally managed to snap a five-game losing streak, and are now coming off two wins.
Next Game: Tuesday at North Carolina
17. Pitt (7-6)
Last Game: Beat Penn State 80-46
Their win over Penn State is decent enough, but Pitt has a few too many bad losses on their schedule.
Next Game: Tuesday at Miami
18. Boston College (6-6)
Last Game: Beat Farleigh Dickinson 72-61
No.
Next Game: Sunday vs. Le Moyne
