ACC Power Rankings (1/15): How does the ACC Stack up Heading Into This Week?

Who is the top team in the ACC heading into the week?

Nearly halfway through the month of January, there is now only one unbeaten team remaining in conference play in the ACC. 

North Carolina seems to be gaining momentum and hitting their stride in conference play and it is evidenced by their blowout of Syracuse on Saturday. The ACC lacks depth this year, but North Carolina might be emerging as a national title contender. 

The rest of the conference is a bit unclear. Duke is winning but almost lost to Georgia Tech for a second time. Miami just lost to Louisville. Both NC State and Wake just lost a game and Virginia seems to be trending downward. 

So how do the power rankings shake out? Let's take a look. 

15. Louisville (6-10, 1-4 ACC)

The Cardinals picked up a win over Miami last week, arguably the biggest win in the Kenny Payne era, but they still find themselves in last place. After the win against Miami. They lost a close game to NC State, but they are playing better. Let's see how they fare against North Carolina and Wake Forest on the road this week. 

14. Georgia Tech (8-8, 1-4)

Georgia Tech Basketball vs Duke / Georgia Tech Athletics

Things are not going well for Georgia Tech and Damon Stoudamire. They have lost five in a row and they were all winnable games. The Yellow Jackets blew a 16-point lead to Boston College, scored two points in an overtime loss to Notre Dame, and then came up short on the road vs Duke. Stoudamire and the Yellow Jackets face Clemson on Tuesday and then Virginia at home on Saturday. 

13. Notre Dame (7-10, 2-4)

The Fighting Irish picked up a win vs Georgia Tech last week but followed it up with a dud against Florida State. The offense struggled to score against the Seminoles and that has been the theme for much of the year. Notre Dame faces Boston College tonight. 

12. Boston College (10-6, 1-4)

The Eagles faced a cakewalk of a non-conference schedule, but they have found ACC play a lot more difficult. If Georgia Tech does not blow a big lead against them, Boston College is winless in ACC play. They have a chance to get a win against Notre Dame tonight and then North Carolina on Saturday. 

11. Pitt (10-6, 1-4)

The Panthers did not put up much of a fight against Duke last week, but they did avoid an embarrassing loss to Louisville. Pitt faces Syracuse tomorrow night before a rematch with the Blue Devils on Saturday. Pitt does not have the same kind of team that made the NCAA tournament last year. 

10. Virginia (11-5, 2-3)

It is weird to see Virginia this low, but it is hard to say anything good about the Cavaliers right now. They did get a win against Louisville, but their three ACC losses have all been blowouts. Notre Dame, NC State, and Wake Forest all have beaten UVA by double-digits in the last four games and Virginia might be on the verge of not making the NCAA Tournament. Virginia faces Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech this week. 

9. Syracuse (11-5, 2-3)

Speaking of blowouts, North Carolina put it on the Orange this past Saturday. North Carolina defeated Syracuse by 36 and it was a humbling defeat for a team that looked like it might be better than people expected. They have a chance to rebound against Pitt and Miami this week. 

8. Virginia Tech (10-6, 2-3)

Virginia Tech was thought to be a team that could contend for an NCAA Tournament spot, but losses in three of their last four games have put a damper on that. They played Miami close on Saturday but were not able to finish off the Hurricanes. Virginia and NC State are next up for the Hokies this week and they might need to win both games. 

7. Miami (12-4, 3-2)

The Hurricanes are a hard team to figure out. They have made the Elite Eight and Final Four the last two seasons and still have good talent, but they can't play with any consistency. They lost a shocker to Louisville but did bounce back with a win against Virginia Tech. Miami can be higher on this list with their talent, but they can be lower if they play with that same inconsistency. 

Georgia Tech Offers Pair of 2025 Defensive Backs

6. Clemson (12-4, 2-3)

I know Miami beat Clemson, but Miami's loss to Louisville keeps them behind the Tigers. Still, the air has left the balloon for Clemson, who started the season 11-1, and now finds themselves 12-4 and 2-3 in the ACC. It is hard to say that Clemson is back on track after beating Boston College, but the need to get back to winning soon, or they also will be left at home in March. 

5. Florida State (10-6, 4-1)

How about Florida State? The Seminoles looked dead in the water at 6-6, but they have rattled off four straight wins and are playing well. They still have a long way to go in terms of competing for an NCAA spot, but they have opportunities against Miami and Clemson coming up. 

4. Wake Forest (12-4, 4-1)

The Demon Deacons win streak was snapped, but they are still playing well overall. They suffered a close loss to Florida State but blew out Virginia in their next game. A big game against NC State is on deck this week, as well as Louisville. 

3. NC State (12-4, 4-1)

The Wolfpack were oh so close to beating North Carolina and making a claim for the top spot, but could not beat the Tar Heels. This is a team I have labeled as a dark horse for the conference and I still feel that way. They face Wake Forest and Virginia Tech this week. 

2. Duke (13-3, 4-1)

Duke keeps winning. The Blue Devils are now 13-3 after eight straight wins, but they had to scratch and claw to avoid a second loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday. This team is starting to play up to its talent level and could has a chance to be on a 12-game winning streak by the time they play North Carolina. 

1. North Carolina (13-3, 5-0)

I think both North Carolina and Duke are starting to separate from the rest of the conference. North Carolina is blowing teams out, winning their last six by double-digits. This team looks like a national title contender and looks to keep rolling this week when they play Louisville and Boston College. 

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