We're closing in on the home stretch. With only two weeks left in the ACC schedule, this is where every game has serious seeding implications. Here are this week's rankings:
1.) Duke Blue DevilsNo explanation necessary.
That 3 was insane. But even more insane was the half court shot before it with the timeout called. Regardless, Maryland is playing great ball and is in a pretty good position right now.
What can I say? You beat who you can and who you're supposed to beat. The Hokies have been doing that, and that's why they're here.
4.) Florida State Seminoles
Winners of three of their last four and a favorable schedule puts FSU right in control of their own destiny.
It just wasn't a good week to be a Demon Deacon fan. The loss at Virginia Tech was a heartbreaker, but the one at N.C. State was just embarrassing. The Deacs get a lot of time off to recover and get UNC at home on Saturday. Just winning that game and watching how the rest of the week shakes out could help Wake move back up a spot or two.
6.) Clemson Tigers
Really this is basically a tie for 6th, but Clemson beat FSU and has won three straight, so they get the edge.
7.) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
GT won their game against UNC like they were supposed to and were in the right position to beat Maryland. IMO, they are still a tournament team, they just need to finish strong down the stretch.
Wow, UVA is slipping. It just looks like they were playing over their heads and the season is taking its toll.
BC is playing a lot better lately. They could spoil somebody's seeding (I'm talking to you VT and GT) before it is all said and done. They even have an outside shot at winning 7 conference games, which would be remarkable considering how they started the season.
10.) N.C. State Wolfpack
We've talked about it before, but it is really amazing what goes on with this State team. They have wins over the 1st, 16th, 22nd and 36th best teams according to KenPom, but before the Wake game, hadn't won in the month of February. They blitzed Wake and that's the reason they move up to 10.
11.) Miami Hurricanes
Miami has three home games out of their last four and their away game is against UNC. There is no reason that they shouldn't be able to win at least two of these games. Miami just isn't that bad; they played Duke tough and was a fluke slip on a wet floor away from that game getting really interesting at the end.
12.) North Carolina Tar Heels
They deserve to be here. They just do. I don't care that they beat Ohio State and Michigan State, that seems like eons ago. The Heels have won 3 games in 2010.