The holidays are coming at a perfect time for the ACC, whose men’s basketball programs have given the league only so much reason for cheer in the opening two months of the 2024-25 season.
With some much-needed time off approaching, here’s where the ACC’s 18 men’s basketball programs stand:
(Rankings take into account games through Wednesday, Dec. 18)
ACC basketball power rankings
1. Duke
Last Week: 1
The Blue Devils look like by far the ACC’s safest bet to make the Final Four or win the national championship.
2. Pitt
Last week: 3
Freshman Brandin Cummings came off the bench for a career-high 30 points to help the Panthers blow out Eastern Kentucky.
3. Clemson
Last week: 2
Clemson has lost two in a row, including to rival South Carolina — but if the ACC were dinged too badly for losing to the SEC, there would be no teams left to rank.
4. North Carolina
Last week: 4
The Tar Heels’ loss to Florida dropped them to 1-5 against power-conference opponents this season.
5. SMU
Last week: 5
The Mustangs’ impressive 9-2 start under first-year coach Andy Enfield continued with a 10-point win vs. LSU.
6. Louisville
Last week: 6
The Cardinals hung tough on the road against archrival Kentucky, falling by eight.
7. Wake Forest
Last week: 7
After struggling to beat Boston College in their ACC debut, the Demon Deacons beat a solid James Madison team by 17.
8. Florida State
Last week: 9
FSU’s success will be determined by conference play. But the Seminoles stand at 9-3 — a sign Leonard Hamilton still knows what he’s doing.
9. NC State
Last week: 8
It may come across as putting lipstick on a pig, but after falling behind 15-0 by Kansas, the Wolfpack played even the rest of the way in a 75-60 loss.
10. Stanford
Last week: 10
Maxine Raynaud’s 16 points and 16 rebounds against Merrimack added to what’s starting to look like an all-ACC-caliber resume.
11. Notre Dame
Last week: 11
Much of the attention is focused on the CFP-destined football team, but Micah Shrewsberry’s squad has won two in a row after losing five straight.
12. Syracuse
Last week: 12
Some losses hurt more than others. The Orange scoring just two points in the final four minutes of a 75-71 loss to rival Georgetown falls into this category.
13. Virginia
Last week: 13
Virginia squandered an opportunity at a ranked win, blowing an 11-point lead in the second half of a home loss to Memphis.
14. Cal
Last week: 14
Andrej Stojakovic looked a bit like his father, former NBA all-star Peja Stojakovic, scoring 31 points in a win against Northwestern State.
15. Georgia Tech
Last week: 15
Though it’s for a 5-6 team, sophomore guard Naithan George continues to impress, averaging 12.3 points and seven assists in his past six games.
16. Miami
Last week: 16
The Hurricanes’ 94-75 win against Presbyterian brought a merciful end to their seven-game losing streak.
17. Boston College
Last week: 17
The Eagles avoided what would have been a calamitous loss to Stonehill — KenPom’s No. 304 Division I team — with a 73-69 win.
18. Virginia Tech
Back-to-back wins snapped a six-game losing streak for the Hokies, who for now still remain in the basement.
