ACC Power Rankings: No bottom feeders here?

Syracuse was 4-0 in the ACC heading into its matchup on Saturday at Clemson, which had just been pasted by #2 UVA in Charlottesville and was 1-3 in ACC play going in.

The ‘Cuse, on paper, should cruise, right?

That the Tigers thumped the Orange, 66-53, should not be a surprise considering how the 2015 ACC season has been going thus far.

#4 Duke lost two straight by double digits to middle-of-the-pack teams at N.C. State and Miami, then went to #6 Louisville and won by double digits in a game that was nowhere near as close as the 63-52 final might make it seem.

Even the top dog right now, Virginia, didn’t have a cakewalk in either of its games the past week, beating Clemson, 65-42, after being up just six at the half, then having to rally from a five-point deficit in the second half at Boston College before winning, 66-51.

Miami had the most up-and-down week you can imagine, pasting Duke in Cameron, 90-74, then leading #12 Notre Dame by double digits in the second half before falling, 75-70.

That gives the ‘Canes a 1-2 record against Top 15 teams among its four ACC games played to date – the win at Duke, the narrow loss at Notre Dame, and a double-OT loss to UVA.

 

ACC Power Rankings: Week 2

1. UVA (17-0, 5-0 ACC): Georgia Tech at home on Thursday. Beware the game at Virginia Tech on Sunday.
2. Notre Dame (17-2, 5-1 ACC): Duke looms on Jan. 28, but don’t overlook Virginia Tech and N.C. State this week.
3. North Carolina (14-4, 4-1 ACC): Only blemish is a one-point home loss to Notre Dame.
4. Miami (12-5, 2-2 ACC): The schedule can only get easier after playing three Top 15s in your first four.
5. N.C. State (13-6, 4-2 ACC): Also 1-2 in its last three against Top 15s (10-point loss at UVA, beat Duke, one-point loss to UNC).
6. Duke (15-2, 3-2 ACC): Does Coach K hang back in the zone after it worked to stymie Louisville on Saturday?
7. Louisville (15-3, 3-2 ACC): Opponents have a blueprint after Duke zoned them to death.
8. Syracuse (13-5, 4-1 ACC): A 4-1 record against their schedule is not all that impressive.
9. Wake Forest (9-9, 1-4 ACC): Continues to impress in Danny Manning’s first year.
10. Pitt (13-5, 3-2 ACC): Still looking for signature performance. Tonight at Duke, maybe?
11. Clemson (10-7, 2-3 ACC): Nice bounceback win over Syracuse at home.
12. Boston College (8-8, 0-4 ACC): Nice effort against #2 UVA at home.
13. Florida State (9-9, 1-4 ACC): What happened to Leonard Hamilton?
14. Georgia Tech (9-8, 0-5 ACC): Not much to go on right now.
15. Virginia Tech (8-9, 0-4 ACC): Buzz Williams has his work cut out for him.

– Column by Chris Graham