1. No. 4 Duke (18-3, 5-3 ACC)
No other team in the conference boasts the road wins that the Blue Devils have on their résumé. With their 69-63 win over previously unbeaten Virginia this past weekend, Duke now has road wins over Wisconsin, Louisville and Virginia. The Blue Devils did not seem to miss the services of guard Rasheed Sulaimon, who was dismissed from the team last week.
2. No. 3 Virginia (19-1, 7-1 ACC)
The Cavaliers could not hold on to a late lead against Duke at home but still only have one loss all year. Virginia showcased its ability by bouncing back and defeating UNC-Chapel Hill on the road Monday night. The Cavs very well may climb back up to the top of the rankings in the coming weeks.
3. No. 9 Louisville (18-3, 6-2 ACC)
The Cardinals rallied from a huge second-half deficit to win a thriller against North Carolina over the weekend to avenge their early season heartbreaking loss in Chapel Hill. Louisville has road games this week with Miami (Florida) and Virginia.
4. No. 10 Notre Dame (20-3, 8-2 ACC)
Notre Dame stumbled against Pittsburgh on Saturday, falling to a struggling Panthers team after taking down Duke earlier in the week. The league’s best offense will continue to outscore teams and it should rebound from the upset.
5. No. 12 North Carolina (17-5, 7-2 ACC)
The Tar Heels were arguably the hottest team in the ACC heading into their game against Louisville and held an 18-point lead before succumbing to a Cardinals’ rally in overtime. On Monday night, the Tar Heels were again victims of a top-10 loss as the Cavaliers came into Chapel Hill and emerged victorious, 75-64.
6. Miami (Florida) (14-7, 4-4 ACC)
At the beginning of last week, the Hurricanes had risen to No. 23 in the nation and were coming off wins over NC State and Syracuse. A week later, the Hurricanes were blown out at home versus Georgia Tech, lost to Florida State on the road, and have dropped from the top 25.
7. Clemson (13-8, 5-4 ACC)
Clemson’s defense smothered NC State and allowed the Tigers to beat the Wolfpack on the road, followed by a 15-point road win over Boston College. A big week for Clemson has the team climbing in our list.
8. NC State (14-9, 5-5 ACC)
Junior guard Trevor Lacey may have saved NC State’s season with a buzzer-beating three to sink Georgia Tech in overtime. The Wolfpack avoided an RPI disaster and can look forward to a road game against Wake Forest before a week off to prepare for Virginia.
9. Syracuse (14-7, 5-3 ACC)
The Orange lost their only game of the week to UNC-Chapel Hill and continue to prove that they cannot beat the ACC’s top-tier talent.
10. Pittsburgh (15-8, 4-5 ACC)
The Panthers shocked the country by defeating Notre Dame at home Saturday but earlier in the week lost in overtime to Virginia Tech and barely survived middling Bryant at home, keeping them from No. 9 on our list. Junior guard James Robinson had ice in his veins when he converted on a runner to bury the Irish.
11. Florida State (12-10, 4-5 ACC)
The Seminoles won two games this week to bring their ACC record to 4-5. Florida State somehow defeated Miami (Florida) without scoring a basket for more than 10 minutes in the first half and enduring a 19-1 Hurricanes run. The ‘Noles face Clemson and Virginia Tech this week and could be over .500 in the ACC by the end of it.
12. Wake Forest (10-12, 2-7 ACC)
The Demon Deacons had shown a propensity for losing tight games this season but finally won one over Virginia Tech. They host NC State tonight in what is sure to be an intriguing matchup.
13. Georgia Tech (10-11, 1-8 ACC)
The Yellow Jackets beat Miami (Florida) by 20 points and would have beaten NC State if not for Lacey’s heroics. Georgia Tech can rebound and defend well but face Duke on Wednesday night.
14. Virginia Tech (9-12, 1-7 ACC)
Against Virginia, junior guard Adam Smith had a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation and missed. Against Pitt he didn’t. He drained another three to win the game in overtime and the Hokies were no longer winless in the ACC. Virginia Tech is playing a tough brand of basketball for Buzz Williams.
15. Boston College (9-11, 1-7 ACC)
The Eagles own the last spot in our power rankings after getting drubbed by Clemson. Virginia Tech (Pitt) and Georgia Tech (Miami) own better wins than Boston College’s two-point win over Wake Forest.
