ACC Power Rankings: Week of 1/28

With the top of the standings tight, it is setting up for an exciting February in the ACC. There are four teams with just one loss in conference play and a few more with just two league losses.

1. #2 Duke Blue Devils 18-2 (7-1)

The Duke freshmen were dominant all night as the Blue Devils pulled out to a 17-2 lead Monday night in South Bend and that was all she wrote for their game against Notre Dame. Duke will take a break in ACC play Saturday, but will face a tough stretch after St. John’s and BC.

Next game: 2/2/19 vs. St. John’s

2. #3 Virginia Cavaliers 19-1 (7-1)

The Cavaliers did not have a characteristic first half with the turnovers, but it was looking like they were going to pull away from State in the second half. Virginia survived an overtime thriller on the road that will be a beneficial experience down the stretch.

Next game: 2/2/19 vs. Miami

3. #15 Louisville Cardinals 15-5 (6-1)

Louisville’s shocking win over UNC jump started a five-game winning streak. The Cardinals will seek to extend their win streak tonight at Wake Forest before hosting Carolina on Saturday.

Next game: 1/30/19 at Wake Forest

4. #9 North Carolina Tar Heels 16-4 (6-1)

Shew buddy. The Tar Heels came out firing after the half and put the game out of reach in a hurry. While the shooting last night was very impressive, the most important thing this Carolina team can do right now is focus on limiting turnovers.

Next game: 2/2/19 at Louisville

5. #12 Virginia Tech Hokies 16-3 (5-2)

The Hokies bounced back in a big way against Syracuse after their big loss at the Smith Center. VT took the lead three and half minutes into the game against the Orange and ran away with it. Can they keep pace tonight with a win at Miami?

Next game: 1/30/19 at Miami

6. Syracuse Orange 14-6 (5-2)

The Orange had two lackluster home victories against Pitt and Miami after their big upset in Durham. These efforts, combined with Virginia Tech coming off their loss at UNC, contributed to their 22-point loss in Blacksburg.

Next game: 1/30/19 at Boston College

7. #23 NC State Wolfpack 16-5 (4-4)

After the Virginia lead grew to 13 with just over 14 to play in the second half, it looked like the Wolfpack were done. However, they nearly pulled off the upset as they held UVA to just two points in the final four and a half minutes to force overtime. With 0.9 left on the clock in overtime, State was fouled on a three with a chance to force double overtime. The first free throw missed and the third shot, intended to be a miss, was a swish.

Next game: 2/2/19 vs. Virginia Tech

8. #25 Florida State Seminoles 15-5 (3-4)

The Seminoles followed up their gut-check game against Clemson with a win in south Florida. Their second half performance against Miami was a return to the FSU team seen earlier in the season.

Next game: 2/2/19 vs. Georgia Tech

9. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 11-10 (3-5)

The Jackets did not have an answer for the Carolina shooters in the second half. It was a completely different ballgame in the second half. GT must regroup in a hurry with their road game versus Florida State on Saturday.

Next game: 2/2/19 at Florida State

10. Boston College Eagles 11-7 (2-4)

BC held Wake Forest scoreless for the final 4:30 of the game and a with a tie ballgame, Ky Bowman hit a three with 15 seconds to seal the victory for the Eagles. Can they make it three in a row tonight against Northern foe Syracuse?

Next game: 1/30/19 vs. Syracuse

11. Clemson Tigers 12-8 (2-5)

The Tigers were hot from three and and kept Pitt cool for stretches at a time to double up the Panthers at the half. With a couple of tough losses before this victory, the win last night may set up a couple of victories against similar competition.

Next game: 2/3/19 vs. Wake Forest

12. Pittsburgh Panthers 12-9 (2-6)

Despite a huge halftime deficit, Pitt had a chance to narrow the gap during a five minute cold stretch by Clemson, but could not do so. The Panthers are at the start of a difficult nine-game stretch that alternates between home and road games.

Next game: 2/2/19 vs. Syracuse

13. Miami Hurricanes 9-10 (1-6)

Miami continues to slide with their third loss in a row Sunday against Florida State. It does not get any easier with a two games in a row against VT and UVA.

Next game: 1/30/19 vs. Virginia Tech

14. Notre Dame Fighting Irish 11-10 (1-7)

The Irish never had a shot against Duke. They are on a five-game skid, but the good news is their next game is against the team in which they have earned their lone ACC win.

Next game: 2/2/19 at Boston College

15. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 8-11 (1-6)

The Deacs had 16 turnovers to Boston College’s seven in the last game. They shot better from the field and owned the glass by a 43-31 margin. Can they tighten up so they can have a shot tonight against Louisville?

Next game: 1/30/19 vs. Louisville