ACC men’s basketball power rankings: Teams shuffle behind top-ranked Duke

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The holidays are coming at a perfect time for the ACC, whose men’s basketball programs have given the league only so much reason for cheer in the opening two months of the 2024-25 season.

With some much-needed time off approaching, here’s where the ACC’s 18 men’s basketball programs stand:

(Rankings take into account games through Wednesday, Dec. 18)

REQUIRED READING: Jon Scheyer cites Cooper Flagg trait that can make Duke basketball even more dangerous

ACC basketball power rankings

1. Duke

Last Week: 1

The Blue Devils look like by far the ACC’s safest bet to make the Final Four or win the national championship.

2. Pitt

Last week: 3

Freshman Brandin Cummings came off the bench for a career-high 30 points to help the Panthers blow out Eastern Kentucky.

3. Clemson

Last week: 2

Clemson has lost two in a row, including to rival South Carolina — but if the ACC were dinged too badly for losing to the SEC, there would be no teams left to rank.

4. North Carolina

Last week: 4

The Tar Heels’ loss to Florida dropped them to 1-5 against power-conference opponents this season.

5. SMU

Last week: 5

The Mustangs’ impressive 9-2 start under first-year coach Andy Enfield continued with a 10-point win vs. LSU.

REQUIRED READING: UNC basketball plagued by same problems in loss to Florida at Jumpman Invitational

6. Louisville

Last week: 6

The Cardinals hung tough on the road against archrival Kentucky, falling by eight.

7. Wake Forest

Last week: 7

After struggling to beat Boston College in their ACC debut, the Demon Deacons beat a solid James Madison team by 17.

8. Florida State

Last week: 9

FSU’s success will be determined by conference play. But the Seminoles stand at 9-3 — a sign Leonard Hamilton still knows what he’s doing.

9. NC State

Last week: 8

It may come across as putting lipstick on a pig, but after falling behind 15-0 by Kansas, the Wolfpack played even the rest of the way in a 75-60 loss.

10. Stanford

Last week: 10

Maxine Raynaud’s 16 points and 16 rebounds against Merrimack added to what’s…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/acc-mens-basketball-power-rankings-184347523.html

Author : The Fayetteville Observer

Publish date : 2024-12-19 18:43:00

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