At this point, every ACC team has lost in conference play. Duke still remains the team to beat despite a loss to Florida State, but for how long? The surging Seminoles and several other teams remain viable contenders to capture the league title. The Technician sports staff ranks the 12 ACC men’s basketball teams in the following order:
1. #8 Duke (16-3, 4-1 ACC; Last Week: 1) – The Blue Devils lost their 45-game winning streak at Cameron Indoor Stadium after Florida State defeated the Blue Devils on a three-pointer at the buzzer. Duke has the league’s best guards but is lacking talent in the post. (Upcoming games: 1/25 at UMD , 1/28 St. John’s)
2. #23 Florida State (13-6, 4-1 ACC; LW : 2) – Not too many teams can say they have beaten both Duke and North Carolina in the same season. The Seminoles have the ability to compete with any team due to their tough defense. (1/25 at WF )
3. N.C . State (15-5, 4-1 ACC; LW : 5) – The Wolfpack took care of business by defeating two lesser ACC foes. A key stat is that N.C . State is eighth in the nation in assists per game, a number last year’s team couldn’t dream about. A win against either North Carolina or Virginia would show if the Pack is a serious contender in the ACC race. (1/26 at UNC , 1/28 UVA )
4. #7 North Carolina (16-3, 3-1 ACC; LW : 3) – Carolina looked vulnerable against Virginia Tech until making a comeback in the second half. In that game, the Tar Heels lost their best perimeter defender, guard Dexter Strickland, for the season, so it will be interesting to see the Heels patch up their already suspect outside defense. (1/26 NCSU , 1/29 GT)
5. #19 Virginia (15-3; 2-2 ACC; LW : 4) – To say Virginia’s two games in the past week were polar opposites would be an understatement. The Cavs held Georgia Tech to 29 percent shooting in a 70-38 win, but on the other hand couldn’t find the basket themselves in an ugly 47-45 home loss to Virginia Tech on Sunday night. Who knows which ‘Hoo team will show up this week? (1/26 BC, 1/28 at NCSU )
6. Maryland (12-6; 2-2 ACC; LW : 6) – After previously winning nine of their last 10 games, the Terrapins stumbled last week in losses against Florida State and Temple. Maryland is in a position to tumble down the ACC ladder if they play poorly again this week. (1/25 Duke, 1/28 VT)
7. Clemson (10-9, 2-3 ACC; LW : 7) – The Tigers played two close games but could only squeak out a win in one: a 64-62 home win versus Georgia Tech. Leading scorer Andre Young must put the team on his back if Clemson wants to make it into the ACC’s upper half. (1/28 WF )
8. Wake Forest (11-8, 2-3 ACC; LW : 10) – Wake Forest couldn’t contain Duke or guard Andre Dawkins’s seven three pointers in a loss at Cameron. However, Wake ended its three game slide with a 71-56 win at Boston College. (1/25 FSU, 1/28 CLEM)
9. Miami (10-7, 1-3 ACC; LW : 11) – Miami picked up its first ACC win of the year versus Clemson and nearly came back against N.C . State. The Hurricanes must find a way to bring their A-game the remainder of conference play. (1/25 at GT, 1/29 at BC)
10. Virginia Tech (12-7, 1-4 ACC; LW : 12) – Virginia Tech showed some life by leading North Carolina at the half and beating a ranked Virginia squad. If the Hokies learn how to score the ball in ACC play, they could be dangerous.
11. Boston College (7-12, 2-3 ACC; LW : 9) – The Eagles appear to be landing, as they looked outmatched in their past two games. Boston College lacks offensive firepower and no player averages in double figure points. A long losing streak could be looming. (1/26 at UVA , 1/29 MIA)
12. Georgia Tech (8-11, 1-4 ACC; LW : 12) – Against Virginia, the Jackets already lethargic offense reached a new low. It managed to score only 38 points, its lowest game total since 1982. The Yellow Jackets have lost seven of eight and show no signs of emerging from the ACC basement. (1/24 MIA, 1/29 at UNC )
