ACC Basketball Power Rankings Week: 16
As we head into the final week of ACC play, I'd like to take a moment to point out that the standings look exactly how everybody thought they would: Pitt in 1st place, Notre Dame in 14th, North Carolina tied for 7th, Virginia Tech in 12th, Clemson tied for 3rd.
It's been quite the season in the Atlantic Coast Conference, a league that for the second year in a row finds themselves disliked by the computer rankings and heavily criticized by the college basketball sphere. Three teams made the Elite Eight last season - will the ACC surprise once again in the NCAA Tournament?
At the moment, five schools appear to be locks for the dance, while two are teetering right on the bubble.
Let's take a look at the conference standings, where Pitt and Miami both control their own destiny for sole possession of the ACC regular season title.
ACC Standings
1. Pitt Panthers (21-8, 14-4)
2. Miami Hurricanes (23-6, 14-5)
T3. Virginia Cavaliers (21-6, 13-5)
T3. Clemson Tigers (21-8, 13-5)
5. Duke Blue Devils (21-8, 12-6)
6. NC State Wolfpack (22-8, 12-7)
T7. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-11, 10-8)
T7. North Carolina Tar Heels (18-11, 10-8)
9. Syracuse Orange (16-13, 9-9)
10. Boston College Eagles (14-15, 8-10)
11. Florida State Seminoles (9-20, 7-11)
12. Virginia Tech Hokies (16-13, 6-12)
13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (12-17, 4-14)
14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-19, 2-16)
15. Louisville Cardinals (4-25, 2-16)
Not a single ACC school is in the top 33 in KenPom right now.
KenPom Rankings
1. Duke Blue Devils - 34th in Division I (60th Offensive Efficiency, 31st Defensive)
2. Miami Hurricanes - 37th (12th Off, 122nd Def)
3. Virginia Cavaliers - 38th (75th Off, 27th Def)
4. North Carolina Tar Heels - 45th (58th Off, 45th Def)
5. NC State Wolfpack - 50th (38th Off, 79th Def)
6. Pitt Panthers - 54th (29th Off, 101st Def)
7. Clemson Tigers - 68th (73rd Off, 68th Def)
8. Virginia Tech Hokies - 80th (36th Off, 137th Def)
9. Wake Forest Demon Deacons - 84th (33rd Off, 158th Def)
10. Syracuse Orange - 110th (65th Off, 187th Def)
11. Boston College Eagles - 169th (252nd Off, 108th Def)
12. Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 170th (106th Off, 260th Def)
13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - 197th (242nd Off, 141st Def)
14. Florida State Seminoles - 206th (162nd Off, 245th Def)
15. Louisville Cardinals - 280th (254th Off, 288th Def)
Now let's get into my updated Power Rankings:
Power Rankings
1. Miami Hurricanes (23-6, 14-5)
Last week: 1
Last week’s results: W 76-70 at Virginia Tech, L 86-84 vs Florida State
Miami's seven game win streak came to an end Saturday after FSU's Matthew Cleveland drilled a game-winning buzzer beater three. Playing without Nijel Pack (day-to-day) the Hurricanes took a 54-31 lead into halftime, but the Seminoles came out with fire and dominated in the second half. This goes down as a Quad 4 loss for Jim Larrañaga's group.
I see this collapse as a wake up call for Miami, who I still firmly believe is the best team in the ACC. They took care of business earlier in the week in Blacksburg, where Virginia Tech has been dangerous this season. Miami has a chance to win the ACC regular season title Saturday on their home floor.
Up next: 3/4 Pitt
2. Duke Blue Devils (21-8, 12-6)
Last week: 3
Last week’s results: W 79-62 vs Louisville, W 81-65 vs Virginia Tech
Duke looked sharp in both of their wins this week, as they now move to 15-0 in Cameron Indoor on the year. The Blue Devils are maturing and finally healthy, hitting their stride at the right time. They've won seven of their last nine, the two losses being at Miami and at Virginia in overtime (because of a mistake by the officials).
Jon Scheyer has found his eight guys, and everyone has settled into their role nicely. Duke will most likely be the Vegas favorite to win the ACC Tournament which is right around the corner. This week features two more opportunities for the Blue Devils to send a message to the rest of the league with battles against in-state rivals.
Up next: 2/28 vs NC State, 3/4 at North Carolina
3. Pitt Panthers (21-8, 14-4)
Last week: 4
Last week’s results: W 76-68 vs Georgia Tech, W 99-82 vs Syracuse
As expected, Pitt took care of business on their home floor over two of the weaker teams in the league this week. The Panthers just keep on winning, and are now in sole position of first place in the league. Kevin Keatts and Brad Brownell are deserving of votes, but Jeff Capel has all but locked up the ACC Coach of the Year award.
Pitt was money from three-point land this week, making 9-24 (37.5%) against Georgia Tech and 16-41 (39.0%) vs Syracuse. No matter what happens on Wednesday against Notre Dame, Pitt will play for the ACC regular season championship in Coral Gables on Saturday.
Up next: 3/1 at Notre Dame, 3/4 at Miami
4. Virginia Cavaliers (21-6, 13-5)
Last week: 2
Last week’s results: L 63-48 at Boston College, L 71-63 at North Carolina
A nightmare week for the Cavaliers. The offensive struggles were glaring this as Virginia was totally controlled in back to back games. The Cavaliers entered this week ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll and winners of 11 of their last 12, but these two losses don't come as much of a surprise. During the week prior, Virginia played the two worst teams in the league (Notre Dame and Louisville) and beat each of them by just one possession.
Jayden Gardner is the only player that can get the ball in the basket right now (team high 16 vs BC, team high 19 vs UNC). Tony Bennett's group can't win with just defense, so they need to regain some flow offensively ASAP. They'll look to get right this week with two matchups on their home floor.
Up next: 3/28 vs Clemson, 3/4 vs Louisville
5. NC State Wolfpack (22-8, 12-7)
Last week: 5
Last week’s results: W 90-74 vs Wake Forest, L 96-71 vs Clemson
NC State shot a scorching hot 67% from the field as they cruised to a comfortable win over Wake Forest on Wednesday. It was a different story on Saturday, however, as Clemson punched the Wolfpack in the mouth. The Tigers led 54-29 at halftime at PNC Arena.
I won't be overreacting to one result, as NC State is still shaping up to be a formidable team entering March. DJ Burns continues to dominate down low, shooting 19-29 (65.5%) from the field this week. Virginia is the only team in the league that has had an answer for the big man during all of conference play. Something of concern is Terquavion Smith's slump. He hasn't shot better than 50% from the field or scored 20 points in over a month.
Up next: 2/28 at Duke
6. Clemson Tigers (21-8, 13-5)
Last week: 9
Last week’s results: W 91-73 vs Syracuse, W 96-71 at NC State
Clemson bounced back with two blowout wins this week, scoring 90+ in both contests. I'm willing to call the Louisville loss back on Feb. 18 an outlier at this point, and although they have four Quad 3/4 losses, I think this is an NCAA Tournament team.
The Tigers shot a scorching hot 24-55 (43.6%) from three-point land in the two wins. Hunter Tyson exploded for 29 points (6-12 3PTs) and eight rebounds against Syracuse, while it was Brevin Galloway who turned in a 28 point (4-5 3PTs) gem against NC State. Brad Brownell's group has a big time opportunity to boost their resume against a reeling Virginia squad on Tuesday
Up next: 2/28 at Virginia, 3/4 vs Notre Dame
7. North Carolina Tar Heels (18-11, 10-8)
Last week: 6
Last week’s results: W 63-59 at Notre Dame, W 71-63 vs Virginia
North Carolina played well this week, and drop in my Power Rankings more as a result of Clemson looking so impressive. It's pretty simple at this point - the Tar Heels look good when they are hitting from deep. Their mark during league play is still last in the ACC at an abysmal 29.3%, but they were falling on Saturday against Virginia. Pete Nance shot 4-4 on his way to 22 points, and the team made a combined 10-22 (45.5%) from downtown. The Heels survived a horrid shooting performance in South Bend, holding on to win after a 2-23 (8.7%) effort from long distance.
I learned nothing new about North Carolina this week. They'll need to take care of business on Big Monday against a fearless Florida State team at the Tuck, as well as seek revenge on Duke at the Dean Dome this weekend if they want to feel good about their at-large chances entering the ACC Tournament.
Up next: 2/27 at Florida State, 3/4 vs Duke
8. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (18-11, 10-8)
Last week: 7
Last week’s results:L 90-74 at NC State, W 66-58 vs Notre Dame
Damari Monsanto suffered a knee injury at the end of the first half in Raleigh on Wednesday, and is out for the season. Monsanto established himself as one of the best three-point shooters in college basketball this season, and his absence is a massive blow to this team.
Credit to Steve Forbes for getting his guys to respond well on Saturday with their at-large chances shot and their second best player not in the gym. Tyree Appleby turned in a nice 21 point, six assist, four steal effort, and freshman Bobi Klintman posted a double double in his first career start.
Up next: 2/28 vs Boston College, 3/4 at Syracuse
9. Virginia Tech Hokies (16-13, 6-12)
Last week: 9
Last week’s results: L 76-70 vs Miami, L 81-65 at Duke
It would've been impressive if Mike Young's group beat either of their last two opponents. But the Hokies continue to struggle defensively and fall to a surprising 6-12 mark in the conference.
Record aside, the Hokies have some very good players in Justyn Mutts, Grant Basile, Hunter Cattoor, and Sean Pedulla. Nobody is going to want to see this sharp offensive team in the ACC Tournament. Young will look to get his guys back to their winning ways this week to build some momentum heading into Greensboro.
Up next: 2/28 at Louisville, 3/4 vs Florida State
10. Boston College Eagles (14-15, 8-10)
Last week: 11
Last week’s results: W 63-48 vs Virginia
How about Earl Grant's Eagles? Boston College has secured their highest conference win total in over a decade with two games still left to play.
Virginia was Boston College's latest victim at Conte Forum, where the Eagles are now 5-4 in league play. A 15-point win over the No. 6 team (at the time) in the country when your best player (Quinten Post) only scores eight points is pretty impressive. Makai Ashton-Langford led the way with 16.
After what happened last March, I don't think anybody is going to want to play Boston College in Greensboro either.
Up next: 2/28 at Wake Forest, 3/4 vs Georgia Tech
11. Syracuse Orange (16-11, 9-7)
Last week: 10
Last week’s results: L 91-73 at Clemson, L 99-82 at Pitt
Syracuse is on a three game losing streak, and this is the third time that's happened this season. These last three losses wer all by a margin of 17 points or more.
I hadn't moved Syracuse from the No. 10 spot in the power rankings in months, but they've left me with no choice. Everybody is knocking threes down over the top of the zone, and Jim Boeheim is on his way to missing back-to-back NCAA Tournaments for the first time since 2008.
One bright spot for the Orange: sophomore Benny Williams drilled 5-6 three-pointers on his way to a career high 24 points vs Pitt Saturday.
Up next: 2/28 vs Georgia Tech, 3/4 vs Wake Forest
12. Florida State Seminoles (8-20, 6-11)
Last week: 14
Last week’s results: W 85-84 at Miami
Trailing by as much as 25 on Saturday, Florida State simply did not give up. It's been a tumultuous season for Leonard Hamilton's crew, but that didn't stop them from putting together a spectacular second half punctuated by an incredible game winner. Matthew Cleveland's buzzer beater was eerily similar to the one he hit at Virginia exactly 364 days prior.
The Seminoles showed tremendous resilience, getting to the basket and forcing turnovers throughout the second half. They scored 34 points in the paint and had eight steals after halftime, and Cleveland scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half.
While FSU hasn't shown the ability to string together multiple games of high level play all season long, on Saturday this team put their talent on display.
Up next: 2/27 vs North Carolina, 3/4 at Virginia Tech
13. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (12-17, 4-14)
Last week: 13
Last week’s results: L 76-68 at Pitt, W 83-67 vs Louisville
While Josh Pastner is very much so on the hot seat, he has definitely done a nice job of getting his guys to improve as this season has gone along. Pitt competed well against Pitt, and held a one-point lead with under ten minutes to play. The Yellow Jackets took care of Louisville easily on Saturday, avoiding a dreadful season sweep.
Miles Kelly scored 43 points across these two games while drilling 11-23 (47.8%) of his three-pointers. Javon Franklin went for 15 points and eight boards against Pitt and 21 and 13 vs Louisville.
Up next: 2/28 at Syracuse, 3/4 at Boston College
14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-19, 2-16)
Last week: 12
Last week’s results: L 63-59 vs North Carolina, L 66-58 at Wake Forest
This team simply is allergic to winning. That's now seven straight losses for Mike Brey's group. Defensively they have been better, and their average margin of defeat in the five losses prior to Saturday was just 3.6.
It's worth noting that the Fighting Irish were without Marcus Hammond and JJ Starling in the loss to Wake Forest. It's been a brutal season in South Bend, and Mike Brey has likely won his last game as the head coach here.
Up next: 3/1 vs Pitt, 3/4 at Clemson
15. Louisville Cardinals (4-25, 2-16)
Last week: 15
Last week’s results: L 79-62 at Duke, L 83-67 at Georgia Tech
Louisville's slight push of momentum came to an end this week with two more losses. Not much else to say here. Actually, I'd like to take a moment to give El Ellis his props. He hasn't had much help at all, but he's been very impressive this season all things considered. Over his last five he's averaging 23.6 points per game while shooting 61% from the field.
Up next: 2/28 vs Virginia Tech, 3/4 at Virginia
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