In only a few days, it will be March — with several ACC men’s basketball teams taking part in the madness.
With victories last week, Clemson and Louisville have effectively guaranteed themselves a spot in the 68-team NCAA Tournament. Duke, of course, will be there, as well. Over the next couple of weeks, at least three other ACC teams — Wake Forest, North Carolina and SMU — will polish their resumes for inclusion, plus there’s always the potential for a chaotic auto-bid from the ACC Tournament.
Here’s a look at where the ACC’s 18 men’s basketball programs stand:
(These rankings take into account games through Wednesday, Feb. 26)
ACC basketball power rankings
1. Duke
The only thing that has been able to darken the Blue Devils’ outlook has been injuries. One week after Maliq Brown dislocated his shoulder, guard Tyrese Proctor injured his knee in a win against Miami.
2. Louisville
Chucky Hepburn set a program single-game record with 17 made free throws (on 19 attempts) in an 89-81 victory against Florida State.
3. Clemson
Even the Tigers’ 23-5 record doesn’t tell the full story of just how good this team has been. Three of Clemson’s five losses this season came in overtime.
4. North Carolina
The competition hasn’t been particularly challenging, but the Tar Heels are riding a season-best, four-game win streak – and with manageable games against Miami and Virginia Tech awaiting.
5. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons seem content to remain on the bubble, following up a resounding victory at SMU with losses to NC State and Virginia.
6. SMU
Forget Quad One games — the Mustangs are 0-5 against the top six teams in the ACC standings, and have lost those games by an average of 17.6 points.
7. Stanford
Outside of Cooper Flagg, there’s perhaps no bigger lock for first-team all-ACC than Maxime Raynaud, who’s averaging 19.9 points and 11.2 rebounds per game entering Wednesday.
8. Florida State
Though they were both losses, Jamir Watkins has scored a combined 49 points in the Seminoles’ past two games.
9. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets went 5-2 in February after entering it 9-12.
10. Virginia
The Cavaliers have rallied nicely, with a win at Wake Forest lifting their record to 4-2 in their past six games.
11. Pitt
The Panthers have been arguably the league’s biggest disappointment, with a 4-10 record since Jan. 7 following a 12-2 start.
12. Virginia Tech
Brandon Rechsteiner’s 18 points in a narrow loss to Louisville were one shy of a career high.
13. Notre Dame
Entering Wednesday’s matchup against Clemson, Tae Davis had averaged 17.4 points in the Fighting Irish’s previous five games.
14. Syracuse
The Orange, who are currently 12-16, haven’t won fewer than 16 games in a season since 1969-70.
15. Cal
The Golden Bears are just 1-7 in their past eight games.
16. NC State
Freshman Paul McNeil has been a revelation of late, scoring 52 points in the Wolfpack’s four games heading into Wednesday after scoring just 28 points in his team’s first 23 games.
17. Boston College
Donald Hand Jr. is averaging 22.4 points per game since Jan. 25.
18. Miami
The Hurricanes’ future is coming into focus, with Duke associate head coach Jai Lucas reportedly the front-runner to be their next coach.
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