ACC men’s basketball power rankings: Duke, Louisville, Clemson on top, Wake Forest surging

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As the calendar nears the end of January, ACC men’s basketball enters an uncomfortably familiar territory, with only one team, Duke, in the top 25 of the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and a lock to make the NCAA Tournament (though Louisville and Clemson are inching closer to that).

Here’s where the ACC’s 18 programs stand:

(These rankings take into account games through Wednesday, Jan. 22)

REQUIRED READING: Hubert Davis often points to 3 keys for UNC basketball. The Tar Heels aren’t checking the boxes

ACC basketball power rankings

1. Duke

Last week: 1

Cooper Flagg is averaging 23.4 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game over his past eight games, thrusting himself near the top of national player of the year conversation.

2. Louisville

Last week: 2

The Cardinals’ win streak is up to nine games after a 25-point drubbing of SMU in which Reyne Smith drained a school-record 10 3-pointers and Chucky Hepburn dished out a school-record 16 assists.

3. Clemson

Last week: 3

The Tigers are 7-1 since a Dec. 17 overtime loss at rival South Carolina. Chase Hunter scored a combined 43 points in wins last week over Syracuse and Pitt.

4. Wake Forest

Last week: 5

Wake Forest is surging, with six straight wins entering a huge meeting with Duke. Hunter Sallis is averaging 23.3 points per game since Dec. 17.

5. North Carolina

Last week: 4

Noth Carolina has lost two in a row, but it’s not exactly reeling: Each setback was by just a point.

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6. Pitt

Last week: 6

An overtime setback at home to Clemson was Pitt’s fourth consecutive loss, their longest skid in three years.

7. Stanford

Last week: 9

Stanford picked up its biggest win yet in the ACC, defeating North Carolina 72-71 thanks to a last-second jumper from Duke transfer Jaylen Blakes.

8. SMU

Last week: 7

The 14-5 Mustangs have been throttled by the ACC’s best teams, losing to Duke, North Carolina and Louisville by a combined 67…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/acc-mens-basketball-power-rankings-194928787.html

Author : The Fayetteville Observer

Publish date : 2025-01-23 19:49:00

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