1. Syracuse (23-0 overall, 10-0 ACC)
The Orange’s inaugural season in the ACC has been a dominant one thus far. Syracuse’s defense continues to stifle opposing offenses with its suffocating 2-3 zone, while the length and athleticism of junior forward Rakeem Christmas and sophomore forward Jerami Grant has frustrated offenses.
2. Virginia (20-5 overall, 11-1 ACC)
It seems weird at this point to think of the No. 20 Cavaliers as an ACC dark horse after winning 10 of its last 11 games. But with a pair of seniors, forward Akil Mitchell and guard Joe Harris, providing veteran leadership, the Cavs’ ceiling in March could be as high as any ACC team. Sophomore guard Malcolm Brogdon, who missed last season to recover from foot surgery, has given UVa much-needed offensive production, the only remaining piece for one of the best defensive teams in the country.
3. Duke (19-5 overall, 8-3 ACC)
The Blue Devils have been dominant as of late, posting consecutive blowout wins over Wake Forest and Boston College. But head-scratching losses in early January to Notre Dame and Clemson keep the Blue Devils from climbing to the No. 2 spot on this list. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, as the Blue Devils visit hostile territory against UNC-Chapel Hill in the Dean Smith Center. The matchup to watch will be the Devils’ sophomore forward Rodney Hood against the Tar Heels’ ultra-athletic sophomore forward J.P. Tokoto.
4. Pittsburgh (20-4 overall, 8-3 ACC)
The No. 25 Panthers are coming off two ugly, non-convincing overtime wins against low-level ACC teams Miami and Virginia Tech. They play with incredible maturity, but the Panthers’ grind-it-out, almost painfully slow style is reminiscent of many teams in the former Big East.
5. UNC-Chapel Hill (16-7 overall, 6-4 ACC)
The Tar Heels appear to be figuring things out as of late, as the leadership and scoring of junior forward James Michael McAdoo and sophomore guard Marcus Paige has the Tar Heels on a hot streak. However, an always-exciting matchup between Duke and Carolina looms Wednesday night. If the Tar Heels can pull off a win against the Blue Devils Wednesday, it would go a long way toward building their NCAA résumé.
6. Clemson (15-7 overall, 6-4 ACC)
Sitting in a rare spot of success, the Tigers look to be seemingly overmatched against No. 1 Syracuse Wednesday night. Clemson will answer many doubters with a win or a close game against the most balanced and perhaps talented team in the land.
7. N.C. State (15-8 overall, 5-5 ACC)
After a controversial no-call at the conclusion of the game against Miami, N.C. State should feel fortunate to escape Coral Gables, Fla. with a victory. The Wolfpack must find a dependable second scoring option if it is to achieve further success this season, with junior guards Ralston Turner and Desmond Lee looking to be the most likely candidates.
8. Maryland (14-11 overall, 6-6 ACC)
The Terrapins got a much-needed win over Florida State Saturday, but with conference heavyweights UVa and Duke coming up in their next two games, expect losses to follow. Maryland will likely have to rely on an ACC Tournament run if it is to make the NCAA Tournament.
9. Florida State (14-10 overall, 5-7 ACC)
Florida State has a fairly favorable schedule in its next two games (v. Miami, at Wake Forest). Those games can be marked down as must-win matchups before a seemingly do-or-die trip to Chapel Hill on Feb. 17.
10. Wake Forest (14-9 overall, 4-6 ACC)
Wake Forest visits N.C. State Tuesday, a rematch that the Wolfpack has been waiting for since its loss to the Deacs on Jan. 15. Look for Wake Forest to try to contain Warren with double teams, forcing N.C. State to find another scoring option.
11. Georgia Tech (12-12 overall, 3-8 ACC)
Head coach Brian Gregory has done a respectable job patching his line-up together without freshman forward Robert Carter, but Tech has struggled mightily to score the basketball and rebound effectively in his absence.
12. Notre Dame (12-12 overall, 3-8 ACC)
Notre Dame has floundered in its first year in the ACC. The Irish is most likely out of the NCAA picture, but could at least salvage its season in the closing act with a somewhat schedule (v. Clemson, at Boston College, at Miami).
13. Miami (12-12 overall, 3-8 ACC)
Head coach Jim Larrañaga’s brilliance has been offset as his young team struggles in close games: The Hurricanes have a 2-7 record in games that have been decided by five points or less this season.
14. Boston College (6-17 overall, 2-8 ACC)
Boston College has looked respectable in close losses against Notre Dame and at UVa, but then was destroyed by Duke, 89-68, Saturday. A third scoring option outside of sophomore guard Oliver Hanlan and junior forward Ryan Anderson, two potential NBA prospects, is much needed.
15. Virginia Tech (8-15 overall, 1-10 ACC)
Virginia Tech has now lost 10 straight games, and the Hokies have upcoming games against No. 20 UVa, N.C. State, No. 8 Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill. The season is lost, and head coach James Johnson should utilize his younger players more to build for the future.
