ACC Basketball Power Rankings/Weekly Schedule 1/10/16

There's a new #1 this week after UVA unexpectedly dropped two to VT and GT.

But there were other developments as well.

Duke has been extremely impressive, throttling three consecutive league opponents.

UNC, 4-0 in ACC play, has been sparked by the phenomenal play of Brice Johnson (39 and 23 this week Vs FSU!).

And Miami is impressive as well, substituting their early season hot shooting with some air tight D and rallying behind the play of emerging star G Ja'Quan Newton.

Pitt and Louisville can not be overlooked.

And Clemson has been the early surprise with a nice 3-1 start in conference play.

It's going to be a fun season, with lots more developments to come.

With out further delay......

Here are my Power Rankings for the Week (pvs):

#1 North Carolina Tar Heels (3) - Sooooooo many weapons.  Johnson is the early favorite for ACC POY. And we know Marcus Paige, Joel Berry, and Justin Jackson can ball. But when Isiah Hicks comes off the bench for 21 as he did last night Vs the Cuse, it's just not fair. UNC is really hitting their stride.

#2 Miami Hurricanes (2) - Newton is such a crafty player.  His confidence is sky high, and he gets to the basket at will of late. Combined with Sheldon McClellan (7-7 in the second stanza Vs FSU) and The U's airtight D, the sophomore from Philly has the 'Canes on the verge of a Top 10 ranking.

#3 (5) Duke Blue Devils - Their three conference wins are against lower rung teams BC, Wake, and VT.  Nonetheless with the exception of the early part of the Wake game, they have made it look easy.  That's no small task in this conference.  And it's not just freshman stud Brandon Ingram playing well either.  Marshall Plumlee ravaged the Hokies for 21 and 10 yesterday.

#4 (6) Pittsburgh Panthers - Jamie Dixon's squad is 3-0 in ACC play, thanks to continued outstanding play from Michael Young (25 Vs Notre Dame) and Jamel Artis (19).  Their game on Thursday Vs Louisville will tell us more though.

#5 (tie) Louisville Cardinals (4)/Clemson Tigers (12) -  Clemson defeated the Cardinals, but the two teams share the spot because we don't expect Damion Lee and Trey Lewis to combine for 5-31 again anytime soon.  Meanwhile who are these guys from Death Valley?  Is Dabo giving pregame speeches or what?  Jaron Blossomgame and Jordan Roper and really playing well right now.

#7 Virginia Cavaliers (1) - We think the Hoos will get it together. They better quick, with Miami coming to town this week.  Will the real Malcolm Brogdon please stand up?  Brodgon has been off in 4 of UVA's last 5 games.

#8 (10) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - I like this team's grit, they can get the ball inside, and they shot very, very well Vs Virginia yesterday. But neither Marcus Georges-Hunt nor Adam Smith is a true PG. Starting them together in the backcourt paid dividends for one game.  Will it last?

#9 (14) Virginia Tech Hokies - What a job by Buzz Williams thus far. Yes Duke beat them like a drum this weekend. But they are 2-1 in conference play and are much improved thanks to the play of Zach LeDay

#10 (9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish - Things get muddled from here down.  ND gets the nod at 10, but this team has been anything but impressive.  They need more (on the glass and defensively) from Zach Auguste.

#11 (8) Florida State Seminoles - FSU tops the rankings among teams win less in conference play, because 2 of their losses came to my top 2 teams. The pups (Dwayne Bacon and Malik Beasley) will get better and become more rounded players as the season progresses. Leonard Hamilton won't let this team quit either.

#12 (7) Wake Forest Demon Deacons - Devin Thomas played inspired ball Vs the Blue Devils earlier this week. Konstaninos Mitoglou needs more touches/shots though.

#13 (13) North Carolina State Wolfpack - Cat Barber is sensational.  But what is the identity of this team? Maverick Rowan can shoot, but they still don't look equipped to finish games strong.

#14 (11) Syracuse Orange - No shame in losing to Miami and UNC, but 0-4 is 0-4.  In good news, Jim Boeheim is back.

#15 (15) Boston College Eagles - They made this year's version of Notre Dame look like last year's. Enough said.

Week's Schedule:

Tuesday 1/12

Miami at UVA, 7PM

Wednesday 1/13

Duke at Clemson 7PM

BC at Syracuse 7PM

FSU at NC State 9PM

GT at ND 9PM

Wake at VT 9PM

Thursday 1/14

Pitt and Louisville 9PM

Saturday 1/16

Syracuse at Wake Noon

VT at GT Noon

ND at Duke 2PM

Miami at Clemson 2PM

BC at Pitt 2PM