It was a difficult week for the ACC, as they failed to compete with the SEC in their annual challenge. However, there was no time for pity as the ACC opened conference play over the weekend. There were some important matchups, but the majority had a clear favorite. After such a tough week, ACC contenders were able to rebound and pick up meaningful, albeit difficult, wins in their conference openers. So, where does each team stand in the Jimmy V Week ACC power rankings after their conference openers? Will there be significant movement from last week?
Jimmy V Week ACC Power Rankings
18. Virginia Tech, 3-6 (Last week: 18)
They fought hard against Pittsburgh but fell short in the end. At some point, this team will have to find a way to win games, or it could be a long season for the Hokies. They need two wins this week.
17. Miami, 3-6 (17)
Despite a 3-0 start, Miami has lost six straight. They blew a lead to Arkansas and couldn’t hit shots to beat Clemson. Tennessee waits for them on Tuesday. Assuming they’re unable to win in Knoxville, Miami will clinch a losing record in the non-conference.
16. Georgia Tech, 4-5 (16)
Georgia Tech had an impossible task this week and still gave Oklahoma and North Carolina a good game. At the end of the day, they still lost both games. A win against Northwestern would give them positive momentum going into ACC play.
15. Syracuse, 4-4 (13)
The first team to move in the Jimmy V Week ACC power rankings wishes they didn’t. Syracuse was destroyed by Tennessee in the SEC/ACC Challenge before losing to Notre Dame without star Markus Burton. Syracuse has two winnable games this week. Two wins would at least provide hope.
14. Boston College, 6-4 (11)
With each passing week, Boston College continues to show why they were last in the initial power rankings. A 6-1 start preceded three losses, two of which were ugly. The Eagles don’t have a test remaining in the non-conference, but they’ve shown they could lose to anybody.
13. Virginia, 5-4 (12)
Virginia had a difficult schedule this week, but they fought for portions of each game. Florida looks like a serious national contender, but the SMU loss stings more. They were within striking distance but failed to close out the game. Their only hope remaining in the non-conference is an upset win over Memphis.
12. Notre Dame, 5-5 (14)
Notre Dame is the first team on this list to win a game this week. Seriously. They were able to beat Syracuse for a glimpse of positive momentum. Braeden Shrewsberry can only hold the fort down for so long before they drop another ugly game. This team needs Markus Burton back soon.
11. California, 6-3 (10)
California was one team that showed great effort in the SEC/ACC Challenge. They played Missouri tougher than Kansas did on that floor. Andrej Stojakovic is a prolific scorer, but they allowed an average of 93.5 points per game this week. The defense needs to play better to compete in the ACC.
10. Stanford, 8-2 (15)
Stanford won both of their matchups this week, including over their rivals California. Maxime Raynaud is a legitimate ACC Player of the Year contender. This team will go as far as he can personally carry them.
9. Florida State, 7-3 (6)
Florida State didn’t pick up a key win in non-conference play. However, if they hold serve against Tulane and Winthrop, they will avoid any bad losses. After the last several seasons, this is a welcomed thing in Tallahassee.
8. Louisville, 5-4 (4)
The Cardinals had a disappointing week. They certainly had their work cut out for them with two ranked opponents, but a tournament team should put up a better fight at home. Ole Miss dominated them, winning by 23, and Duke beat them by 11. They better show up against Kentucky, or that could get ugly, too.
7. NC State, 6-3 (8)
The Wolfpack needed that game against Florida State. It ended the bad momentum and moved them towards recovery. Kansas has looked shaky in the last week, so don’t rule them out. But, if Kansas is angry, NC State may run into a buzzsaw.
6. North Carolina, 5-4 (5)
They are the most disappointing ACC team thus far. They can’t seem to beat anybody of note and even struggle against inferior opponents. It’s time to discuss whether Hubert Davis can lead the Tar Heels back to being a perennial power.
5. Wake Forest, 7-3 (7)
Wake Forest hardly looked impressive this week, but they won a game. It didn’t take much to move up in the Jimmy V Week ACC Power Rankings. Scoring 44 points highlights their main issue. Hunter Sallis continues to struggle in key games. They’ll need a strong conference play to make the tournament.
4. SMU, 8-2 (9)
SMU hasn’t picked up a huge win in non-conference, but they have two respectable losses. If the Mustangs can beat LSU, they will likely have a non-conference resume that could make the tournament with a strong conference showing.
3. Pitt, 8-2 (2)
Pitt was about five minutes from falling much further down the rankings. Jaland Lowe saved their spot in the Jimmy V Week ACC Power Rankings. Pitt forgot their identity for 35 minutes and almost lost because of it, that needs to be addressed before conference play begins.
2. Clemson, 9-1 (3)
Clemson deserves this spot. They battled a great Kentucky team to pick up their signature non-conference win despite Ian Schieffelin shooting 4/20. On Saturday, they will look to put a stamp on their ticket to the tournament with a win over Memphis. That loss to Boise State seems so long ago.
1. Duke, 7-2 (1)
Duke picked up the biggest result of the season against Auburn in a statement win. They deserve the top spot again in the Jimmy V Week ACC power rankings. They’re through the gauntlet, so now the Blue Devils must figure out how to fix Kon Knueppel before conference play begins. Not every team they play is Auburn, but you have to be prepared to play those teams, too.
