ACC Basketball Power Rankings/Weekly Schedule 1/3/16

Well that fun......

We had some predictable (UNC 2-0 Vs Clemson, GT), unpredictable (FSU losing to Clemson and NC State dropping to VT), lots of clanking (Miami vs Cuse), and one team's continued dominance over another (UVA/ND).

The first weekend of ACC play did not exactly shake up the rankings, but there are some changes toward the middle/bottom.

We should have some more separation by this time next week, with games like UNC/FSU, Clemson/Cuse, and Pitt/ND telling more about each team involved.

Stay tuned Atlantic Coast Conference fans.

With out further delay......

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

#1 (1) Virginia Cavaliers - They totally have the Irish's number, winning 4 in a row in conference play Vs Mike Bray's squad.  The Hoos are also 7-0 under Tony Bennett in conference openers.  How is it possible this team might even be better than the last two conference regular season champs?  Anthony Gill has developed from rugged interior presence, into a burgeoning star.

#2 (2) Miami Hurricanes - Should we be concerned after two consecutive slow starts Vs Princeton and Syracuse? Perhaps.  But when you beat the Orange by 13 after shooting 3-25 from deep, you are still pretty good. UM likely won't shoot that poor again in a single game the remainder of the season.  Kamari Murphy is getting more and more comfortable in his new digs.

#3 (3) North Carolina Tar Heels - Joel Berry is getting better every time out. This makes the Heels exceptionally dangerous. Nate Britt is also playing very well. If UNC keeps getting this type of perimeter play, they could easily make a run to top of these rankings, not to mention the national ones.

#4 (4) Louisville Cardinals - Freshman Donovan Mitchell had a break out performance 18 points) in the win over Wake.  If he can provide that kind of production consistently to support Damion Lee, this team too could skyrocket up the standings.

#5 (5) Duke Blue Devils - Brandon Ingram is insanely good (see below).  The game at Wake this week might be unexpectedly tough though.  Watch that one closely.

#6 (6) Pittsburgh Panthers -  Jamel Artis was exceptional Vs Syracuse (18 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists). I knew he could ball, but he looked like a lottery pick for a night Vs the Orange.  His passing was especially effective and surprising. This team might be better than I originally thought.

#7 (10) Wake Forest Demon Deacons - They actually played pretty well against Louisville, tying the game with 2:30 after overcoming a double digit lead on the road.  Had they made their FTs, they probably win.  For now they move up, but they only stay here if they can win some of these close games.

#8 (7) Florida State Seminoles - I know they lost to Clemson.  But a lot of that was Jordan Roper getting white hot (7-10 on threes).  Any good team can lose when an opponent has a player go off.  More disturbing however was that the Tigers beat them up on the glass.  Huge week for the 'Noles with UNC visiting and a trip to Coral Gables to follow. They have a chance to move up or down several spots based on the outcomes.

#9 (9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish - No shame in losing to UVA, but I am still not quite sure yet to make of this team. They need more from Zach Auguste than the 1 point he managed Vs the Hoos.

#10 (12) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets -  They were hard to shake against North Carolina. I have a feeling they are kind of sneaky decent to good.  Keep on eye on this team.  Sharpshooter Adam Smith is an X factor.

#11 (11) Syracuse Orange - They played really well Vs Pitt and Miami both for 2/3 of those contests. In order to close games out they need better PG (I guess he's their point) play from Michael Gbinije, and better scoring from Trevor Cooney.  Freshman Malachi Richardson is coming on though.

#12 (14) Clemson Tigers -  Yes they beat FSU.  But they are still only 8-6 on the season.  Donte Gratham needs to be more consistently aggressive.

#13 (8) North Carolina State Wolfpack - The loss to VT might haunt them if they get things together and find themselves on the bubble. More importantly they need someone other than Cat Barber to bring it every game, to even get to that point.

#14 (14) Virginia Tech Hokies - Great win for Buzz Williams' squad.  Seth Allen was special at times. The bad news?  They get UVA and Duke this week.

#15 (15) Boston College Eagles - Eli Carter can play.  Not sure about anyone else.

Week's Schedule:

Monday 1/4 -

UNC at FSU 7PM

UVA at VT 9PM

Tuesday 1/5 -

Clemson at Syracuse 8PM

Wednesday 1/6 -

Duke at Wake 7PM

GT at Pitt 7PM

Thursday 1/7 -

Louisville at NC State 7PM

ND at BC 7PM

Saturday 1/9 -

UNC at Syracuse TBA

VT at Duke Noon

UVA at GT 2PM

Pitt at ND 4PM

FSU at Miami 5PM