ACC Basketball Power Rankings: 3/12

1. Virginia Cavaliers (LW: 1) 28-2 (16-2)

Last Week: W vs Louisville 73-68; Next Week: vs TBD 3/14

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Cavaliers clinched the top seed in the ACC tourney for the second-straight season. UVA has 2 days to wait for either NC State or Clemson, of which they would likely prefer the latter, after UVA trounced Clemson by 20 points in their meeting earlier this year.

2. North Carolina Tar Heels (LW: 2) 26-5 (16-2)

Last Week: W @ BC 79-66, W vs Duke 79-70; Next Week: vs TBD 3/14

Conf. Tourney Outlook: UNC finished the season on a 7-game win streak, including a big rivalry win over Duke to close their schedule and complete their first season sweep of the Blue Devils since 2009. Next up, either Louisville, Georgia Tech or Notre Dame. Louisville presents a possible problem, having crushed the Tar Heels by 21 points in their first meeting.

3. Duke Blue Devils (LW: 3) 26-5 (14-4)

Last Week: W vs Wake 71-70, L @ UNC 70-79; Next Week: vs TBD 3/14

Conf. Tourney Outlook: Zion Williamson’s injury put the Blue Devils into quite a tailspin, as the nation’s former #1 team went 3-3 in the final 6 games. With Zion slated to return for the conference tourney, can Duke recapture the magic en route to an ACC title and #1 seed?

4. Florida State Seminoles (LW: 4) 25-6 (13-5)

Last Week: W vs VT 73-64, W @ Wake 65-57; Next Week: vs TBD 3/14

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Noles went 12-1 in their final 13 games, with their only loss coming to UNC. The good times are likely to keep rolling for FSU in Charlotte, as they are 5-0 this season against their possible quarterfinal opponents: Virginia Tech, Miami and Wake Forest.

5. Virginia Tech Hokies (LW: 5) 23-7 (12-6)

Last Week: L @ FSU 64-73, W vs Miami 84-70; Next Week: vs TBD 3/13

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Hokies had their eyes set on being a contender this season, and despite some stumbles along the way, they still have a chance. The path goes through either Miami or Wake, followed by FSU and likely Virginia on the way to the championship game.

6. Syracuse Orange (LW: 6) 19-12 (10-8)

Last Week: L @ Clemson 55-67; Next Week: vs TBD 3/13

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Orange have limped into the tournament, losing 6 of their last 9. The silver lining is that this is the same team that was able to take down Duke with Zion. If Syracuse wants to make some noise in this tournament, they’ll have to do it again.

7. Louisville Cardinals (LW: 7) 19-12 (10-8)

Last Week: L vs UVA 68-73; Next Week: vs TBD 3/13

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Cardinals appeared to be a year ahead-of-schedule before losing 7 of their last 10 games. While their spot in the NCAA tourney is likely still secure, Louisville needs to use the ACC tourney to build some momentum.

8. NC State Wolfpack (LW: 8) 21-10 (9-9)

Last Week: L vs GT 61-63, W @ BC 73-47; Next Week: vs Clemson 3/13

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Wolfpack have struggled to win big games, going 1-8 against ranked opponents this season. While their next game against Clemson isn’t doesn’t feature a ranked opponent, it may be their biggest of the season in a battle of bubble teams.

9. Clemson Tigers (LW: 9) 19-12 (9-9)

Last Week: W @ ND 64-62, W vs Syracuse 67-55; Next Week: vs NC State 3/13

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Tigers are right on the doorstep of sneaking in the NCAA Tournament, but they could use another quality win or two to help them sleep at night. NC State on Wednesday is a good start.

10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (LW: 11) 14-17 (6-12)

Last Week: W @ NC State 63-61; Next Week: vs ND 3/12

Conf. Tourney Outlook: GT closed the season with two solid wins over NC State and BC. They are still likely a best-case scenario NIT team, but staying out of the bottom of the conference should still be considered a success.

11. Boston College Eagles (LW: 10) 14-16 (5-13)

Last Week: L vs UNC 66-79, L vs NC State 47-73; Next Week: vs Pitt 3/12

Conf. Tourney Outlook: While the 2018-19 season has been a step back for BC, they still possess one of the ACC’s best players in Ky Bowman, which can be enough to pull off a couple upsets.

12. Miami Hurricanes (LW: 12) 13-17 (5-13)

Last Week: W vs Pitt 76-73, L @ VT 70-84; Next Week: vs Wake 3/12

Conf. Tourney Outlook: If the Canes underperform, their season could end on Tuesday. If they play up to their ability, however, they have the firepower to shock VT or FSU.

13. Pittsburgh Panthers (LW: 15) 13-18 (3-15)

Last Week: L @ Miami 73-76, W vs ND 56-53; Next Week: vs BC 3/12

Conf. Tourney Outlook: Pitt may be too young to handle the pressure of an ACC Tournament. Or they could also be too young to know how big the moment is. Either way, the Panthers will need to score some major upsets to get anywhere this week.

14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (LW: 14) 11-19 (4-14)

Last Week: L @ Duke 70-71, L vs FSU 57-65; Next Week: vs Miami 3/12

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Demon Deacons have played better basketball as of late, scoring a huge comeback win over Miami before nearly knocking off Duke and playing a tight contest against FSU to close the season. Can Danny Manning’s squad keep it up and knock of the Canes again?

15. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (LW: 13) 13-18 (3-15)

Last Week: L vs Clemson 62-64, L @ Pitt 53-56; Next Week: vs GT 3/12

Conf. Tourney Outlook: The Fighting Irish have nothing to lose in this tournament. They also will likely need huge games from John Mooney (14.1 ppg, 11.3 rpg) if they want to have something to show for their trip to Charlotte.

Go Canes