As a new year dawns, the ACC finds itself in what has become a familiar position the past several years.
The conference has brand names, but a shortage of national title contenders, with only five teams among the top 50 squads in the NCAA’s NET rankings as of New Year’s Day. It’s quite possible that another strong NCAA Tournament showing could help the league come March, but for now? The outlook isn’t so rosy.
Here’s where the ACC’s 18 men’s basketball programs stand as a new year begins:
(These rankings take into account games through Wednesday, Jan. 1)
ACC basketball power rankings
1. Duke
Since their statement win against Auburn, the Blue Devils have won each of their past five games by double digits. The clear class of the conference.
2. Pitt
The Panthers trailed Cal by as many as 16 in the first half but rallied behind Jaland Lowe’s 27 points and eight assists for a 12-point victory.
3. Clemson
The Tigers responded to a two-game losing streak with two straight conference wins by at least 11 points.
4. SMU
The Mustangs don’t have a ton of impressive wins on their resume, but, led by Wake Forest transfer Boopie Miller, they’re 11-2.
5. Louisville
After avoiding disaster with a last-second victory over Eastern Kentucky, the Cardinals knocked off North Carolina by 13. Pat Kelsey has things heading in the right direction.
6. North Carolina
The Tar Heels were without Seth Trimble, but their loss at Louisville dropped them to 8-6: their worst 14-game start in five years.
7. Wake Forest
Steve Forbes’ Demon Deacons went 9 of 19 on 3-pointers in an 81-71 road victory vs. Syracuse.
8. Florida State
The Seminoles have been in the headlines for a lawsuit filed against coach Leonard Hamilton. They’ve at least gotten to enjoy some time off, with no games between a Dec. 21 loss to Louisville and a Saturday game against Syracuse.
9. NC State
The Wolfpack blew a 14-point lead in the second half in a loss to Virginia, the kind of setback that could hurt its efforts to get back to the NCAA Tournament.
10. Virginia
The Cavaliers earned their first ACC win under interim head coach Ron Sanchez, with Elijah Saunders’ 22 points sparking them past NC State.
11. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish’s three-game win streak ended with a thud: Tae Davis’ 27 points weren’t enough in an 86-75 loss at Georgia Tech.
12. Stanford
The Cardinal have dropped two in a row after a 9-2 start, though both were against likely NCAA Tournament teams in Clemson and Oregon.
13. Georgia Tech
Don’t look now, but Damon Stoudamire’s Yellow Jackets have won three of four after a 4-6 start, with the lone loss coming to Duke.
14. Syracuse
The Orange is 3-7 since Nov. 21.
15. Cal
Jeremiah Wilkinson’s 24 points off the bench weren’t enough for Cal in a loss to Pitt, its fifth loss in its past six games.
16. Boston College
The Eagles’ climb out of the basement continues: A 10-point win over Miami improved them to 3-1 in their past four games.
17. Miami
Jim Larrañaga’s decision to retire becomes more and more understandable, with the Hurricanes 1-9 in their past 10 games.
18. Virginia Tech
A 23-point loss to Duke was the Hokies’ seventh loss by at least 10 points this season.
