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ACC Power Rankings: 1.19


After a very telling and, in some cases, surprising week in the ACC, we have a whole new set of power rankings. The top team is no shock, but the rest of the league is enjoying a big shakeup.

Star-divide

1.) Duke Blue Devils

There really doesn't need to be an explanation here. Duke is the best team in the ACC and will stay up here unless something drastic happens.

2.) Clemson Tigers

Clemson tried to blow it against UNC, but they didn't. They took a punch and built their lead right back up. And that's a very telling sign for this Tigers team. They almost slipped up against NC State, but with the way that Trevor Booker and Demontez Stitt are playing and added help from their supporting cast, the pressing Tigers have been one of the ACC's most consistent teams, and there aren't many teams that can say that right now.

3.) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

You're probably laughing that the Deacs are here at three after losing by 20 to Duke. But there's two reasons I have them here: 1.) the win against Maryland was one that last year's team would not have pulled out and 2.) there was a lot of fight in that team against the Blue Devils despite the score. Chas McFarland, dirty or not, seems to have turned the corner and Al-Farouq Aminu has started to play more within himself.  Ishmael Smith needs to have better shot selection, but with the added bonus of the emergence of freshman Ari Stewart, this week could be the biggest of the season for the Demon Deacons.

4.) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Can Georgia Tech please just get on meds already. The unstable Jackets have knocked off Duke and UNC, but have lost to UVA and FSU. At their best, GT provides matchup problems against everyone in the league with their frontcourt depth of Derrick Favors, Gani Lawal and Zach Peacock, but they need to continue to get good play from the recently returned Iman Schumpert and Mfon Udofia. And they can't beat themselves. They have a huge game against Clemson tonight.

5.) Virginia Cavaliers

They may even deserve to be higher. The big surprise of the season has been just how quickly Tony Bennett has turned around the Cavs. With a team that does not inspire fear in anyone on paper, Bennett has used tempo control and great defense to surprise teams thus far. The Cavs needed a gutsy finish by Sylven Landesberg to beat UNC-W, but the question is, will the Cavs continue to impress now that they won't be flying under the radar?

6.) Florida State Seminoles

I don't know what to make of Florida State still. I still like them to finish right around here, but how do you explain a loss to N.C. State? The combination of Solomon Alabi, Chris Singleton and Derwin Kitchen is solid and the 'Noles get decent help from Ryan Reid and Deividas Dulkys (Shooting 45% from 3PT). They just suffer from the ACC's collective lack of consistency.

7.) Maryland Terrapins

It's almost February, so that means that Maryland is going to start to wake up. Greivis Vasquez has a bit of a chip on his shoulder right now and has been playing much better. That, and Eric Hayes, Landon Milbourne and Sean Hayes are all chipping in. Gary's boys are right where they always are.

8.) North Carolina Tarheels

Two losses in a row will do this to a team. And UNC has to have a "come to Jesus" moment. Hopefully for Wake fans, that moment comes after the game on Wednesday and not before. Regardless, the Heels have a lot they need to work on and they haven't seemed to address any of their problems. Sure, a few of their losses have been to good teams, but you can't just excuse six losses this far into the year. I'll be quick to move the Heels back up if they have a good week, but right now, they don't deserve to be any higher than eight.

9.) Virginia Tech Hokies

VT still only has three losses, two of them in conference. They played fairly well against UNC, then smoked Miami before losing a close one to FSU. They then took out that loss and I guess a bunch of other aggression on NC Central, winning 72-30. The Hokies might not quite have enough outside of Delaney to make it to the Tourney, but they will be right on the cusp and will knock off some good teams along the way.

10.) Miami Hurricanes

What happened here? Maybe Wake really did just play a terrible game against Miami. And the 'Canes non-con schedule is catching up with them with them. It shows me for putting them too high last week, but wow Miami got steamrolled last week.

11.) N.C. State Wolfpack

They showed some teeth in the win over Florida State. Tracy Smith is playing terrific basketball, but the rest of the Pack just doesn't have much of anything. But knowing how this year's ACC is going, they'll probably end up beating Clemson or something.

12.) Boston College Eagles

Ouch. BC is at eight losses on the season now and their next few games are rough: @Miami, @VT, Clemson, FSU, Duke, @Wake, @FSU, UNC, VT, @GT.

0 recs  |  Comment 7 comments |

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Wake at 3?

Way too high, they are 2-2 in conference, with losses to @Miami and @Duke by 20. Put them at #3 if/when they beat some teams in conference. Virginia, GT and Fl St should all be above us in addition to Duke and Clemson at this point in time.

Homer!!!!!!

by Sexton on Jan 19, 2010 2:40 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Florida State lost to NC State, and Maryland (both teams Wake beat)

Virginia still has a little bit more to prove before I can bring them higher—fifth is a huge jump.

GT is too inconsistent, but obviously it could go either way since I have them at fourth.

With the power rankings this year, it’s about as scientific as drawing names out of a hat. There is no consistency and next week about 7 teams will have moved.

Bah da da da da da da da, Go Deacs.

Blogger So Dear

by MRickman84 on Jan 19, 2010 2:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

I agree

nothing to really go on yet besides the sheer hatred GT fans have spewing towards Paul Hewitt.

I guess the atmosphere that I've tried to create here is that I'm a friend first and a boss second, and probably an entertainer third.

by BirdGT on Jan 19, 2010 3:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

So winning a game at home in overtime, and not giving up when down by 20 in Durham constitutes being ranked 3rd in conference? I mean I pull for Wake against everyone except Tech, but come on.

Just looking at recent history/results, does UVA not deserve to be near the top for now?

Finally, GO TECH!!!

by GTJOSH on Jan 19, 2010 6:27 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Winning home games is key. Hold serve at home, steal a couple on the road.

Duke
UVA
Clemson
Wake
GT
FSU
UNC
Maryland
VT
Miami
State
BC

by WakeJake on Jan 19, 2010 8:01 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

GT taking down Clemson shifts things all over again…ugh.

1.) Duke
2-5.) GT
Clemson
Wake
UVA

Just pick whomever you want. Honestly, it’s a freaking crapshoot.

Bah da da da da da da da, Go Deacs.

Blogger So Dear

by MRickman84 on Jan 20, 2010 9:12 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

yeah

I have a hard time seeing us win @ Clemson but you never know. I’ve either pleasantly surprised or sent into a catatonic state concerning GT’s performance against Clemson in all sports the past 10 years.

I guess the atmosphere that I've tried to create here is that I'm a friend first and a boss second, and probably an entertainer third.

by BirdGT on Jan 20, 2010 10:14 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

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