Nearing the midpoint of the 2015 ACC basketball conference season, the trends that we’d been seeing in the first couple of weeks of conference play are starting to shake out.
There is a defined upper tier, and within that tier a smaller elite. There’s a bigger-than-had-been-expected group in the middle that will be in the running for NCAA berths in mid-March. And there’s a clear strata of bottom-feeders that despite their status can give the big boys a game on any given night.
Second-ranked and still unbeaten UVA remains at the top of the heap, but barely, after coming back from a 10-point deficit in the last 10 minutes on the road at Virginia Tech on Sunday. Notre Dame continues to nip at the Cavs’ heels with one conference loss, the one at home to UVA, after rallying on Sunday to win at N.C. State in overtime on Sunday.
North Carolina is a game back as well after holding off a Florida State upset bid at home on Saturday. Duke, Louisville, Syracuse and Miami each have two losses in conference play, and then it’s a big leap to N.C. State, Pitt and Clemson with four conference losses.
Seven from the ACC are looking solid for NCAA berths. N.C. State (RPI: 44) is probably a bubble team at this early stage in the efforts at rendering a tourney field, with Pitt (RPI: 74) and Clemson (RPI: 90) very much on the outside looking in right now.
Lots of basketball to still be played, obviously.
ACC Power Rankings: Week 3
- UVA (19-0, 7-0 ACC): ESPN College GameDay in Charlottesville for Duke home tilt on Saturday.
- Notre Dame (19-2, 7-1 ACC): Duke at home on Wednesday. Can the Irish play their way into #1 seed territory?
- North Carolina (16-4, 6-1 ACC): Won 10 of last 11. UVA at home next Monday. Would that be an upset?
- Duke (17-2, 4-2 ACC): Coach K finally hits 1,000. Parting gift: road games at Notre Dame and UVA. Congrats!
- Miami (14-5, 4-2 ACC): Nice week with Ws over N.C. State and Syracuse.
- Louisville (16-3, 4-2 ACC): UNC at home on Saturday. Chance to move.
- Syracuse (14-6, 5-2 ACC): Still in search of signature win.
- N.C. State (13-8, 4-4 ACC): Murderous schedule catches up to ‘Pack.
- Pitt (13-7, 3-4 ACC): Young team struggling against top squads, understandably.
- Clemson (11-8, 3-4 ACC): Nice win over a tough Wake Forest squad.
- Florida State (10-10, 2-5 ACC): Impressive showing in Chapel Hill on Saturday.
- Virginia Tech (8-11, 0-6 ACC): Bump for near-upset of the year at home vs. UVA.
- Wake Forest (9-11, 1-6 ACC): Still not able to get over the hump despite consistent efforts.
- Boston College (9-9, 1-5 ACC): Playing better of late.
- Georgia Tech (9-10, 0-7 ACC): Nice bounceback effort losing in OT at BC after 28-point showing at UVA.
– Column by Chris Graham
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