The holiday season is right around the corner and the ACC hopes to celebrate in winning fashion. The Jimmy V Week power rankings were harsh towards the conference following their unfortunate SEC/ACC Challenge performance. After the SEC’s continued dominance of every conference, their performance has become more excusable. However, top teams in the ACC need to rack up key wins, and bottom teams need to find their way out of a funk. Where does each team find themselves in the crucial ACC holiday power rankings?
ACC Holiday Power Rankings
18. Georgia Tech, 4-6 (Last Week: 16)
The Yellow Jackets haven’t won in December. There are winnable games, but they may not touch .500 again this season. They must play better if they don’t wish to finish last in the ACC
17. Virginia Tech, 5-6 (18)
The Hokies have finally found themselves above 18th. Saint Joseph’s will be a test for them, but a win would spark good momentum before they play at Cameron Indoor on New Year’s Eve.
16. Miami, 4-7 (17)
Miami finally ended a seven-game losing streak with a convincing win over Presbyterian on Sunday. The Hurricanes went through a gauntlet, but they have a clear path towards 7-7. Unfortunately for them, it is probably too late to make any kind of postseason push.
15. Syracuse, 5-5 (15)
Syracuse needed a win. They led by six in the second half against Georgetown, but the JJ Starling injury hurt too much. His injury hurts an already struggling team and Maryland will show no pity.
14. Boston College, 7-4 (14)
The Eagles won but in a rather unconvincing fashion. They continue to lose ugly and win uglier. Most Boston College fans would be happy with a 7-4 start, so the season is certainly going well so far.
13. California, 7-4 (11)
The loss to Cornell hurts more than Missouri and Stanford. The Ivy League is solid, but power conference teams should be able to handle business at home. Their next matchups against San Diego State and Pitt will put the Golden Bears to the test.
12. Louisville, 6-5 (8)
The injury to Kasean Pryor destroyed the momentum they gained during the Battle 4 Atlantis. Fortunately, they pulled out the win against UTEP. However, this Louisville team needs to replace him quickly if they hope to avoid a similar fate to past seasons.
11. Virginia, 6-4 (13)
They continue to look mediocre. The Cavaliers need help from somewhere, but it never seems to come. Their style of play will not be sustainable for even moderate success in the ACC if they cannot score more points. However, their mediocrity still has the Cavaliers at 11 in the ACC holiday power rankings.
10. Notre Dame, 6-5 (12)
Notre Dame has finally strung together some momentum after the injury to Markus Burton dampened early-season hopes. They can continue to ride that momentum through the end of the year and have success against inferior opponents.
9. Stanford, 8-2 (10)
The Cardinals had the week off. They have one more mid-major opponent before their schedule ramps up with Oregon, Clemson, and Pitt.
8. Florida State, 9-3 (9)
Florida State narrowly lost to NC State, but two convincing wins against Tulane and Winthrop reinvigorated the Seminoles. They avoided the bad loss. Only time will tell if that will earn them any respect nationally.
7. NC State, 7-4 (7)
The Wolfpack had the tall task of playing Kansas on the road. They’ve played a hard schedule, but lack that quality win. Fortunately, a lack of quality wins is a running theme in the ACC for every team below them, so they stand pat in the ACC holiday power rankings.
6. North Carolina, 6-5 (6)
North Carolina came up just short against Florida, leaving them with yet another close loss and a lack of good wins. The Dayton win has aged well, but that can only go so far. UCLA is the last team in their gauntlet in the non-conference. Another loss would mean the Tar Heels need to finish high in the ACC to make the tournament.
5. Wake Forest, 9-3 (5)
Wake Forest struggled early against James Madison but was able to pull out a win. Their win against Michigan has aged very well. A strong conference showing will give them a good argument for a tournament bid.
4. Pittsburgh, 9-2 (3)
The Panthers moved down because of what SMU did. Pitt has one of the best resumes in the ACC and will be competing for an ACC title. Damian Dunn seeks a return in the beginning of January, so keep that matchup between Pitt and Duke on your calendar.
3. Clemson, 9-3 (2)
Clemson lost to Memphis and South Carolina since the last ranking. It appeared the Tigers were on the right track, but that quickly fell to dust with their inability to close games. They are better than what they’ve shown, but they don’t deserve to hold their spot with two losses in very winnable games.
2. SMU, 9-2 (4)
The ACC finally broke through again against the SEC with SMU’s win over LSU. The Mustangs needed that win on their resume for the tournament hopes and they succeeded. It all will come down to conference play, where they will try to navigate a power conference schedule for the first time.
1. Duke, 9-2 (1)
It’s hard to imagine them losing this spot after the results that have happened throughout the season. They look to be by far the best team in the ACC, and the results on the floor continue to affirm that. The Blue Devils should coast to an ACC title if Cooper Flagg and company stay healthy. Add it all up, and Duke easily holds the top spot in the ACC holiday power rankings.
