As the weeks progress, the more my optimism wanes for 7-8 NCAA Tourney bids as I was thinking back in December for the ACC. Duke is the leader and from the 6th spot on comes the bubble…

David Tucker over at the Maryland Raycom Blog has been compiling a poll of the ACC blogs for an ACC Basketball Power Poll, and here’s my ballot with semi-insightful commentary.

1) Duke Blue Devils

The Blue Devils swept their two games this week with a blowout of Georgia Tech and close road win at Boston College. Duke faces two huge games this week with North Carolina on Wednesday at Chapel Hill on Raycom at 9–and the next team on my ballot at home on Saturday at 1.

2) Maryland Terrapins

Maryland pulled out a road win at Florida State and pounded North Carolina at home by 21 to get to number two in the poll. The Terps, like Georgia Tech last week, get their shot at number one with facing Duke on Saturday.

3) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The Deacs also swept their games this week as they beat Miami at home and won a fourth OT game this season on the road at Virginia 64-61. Home games with Boston College and Georgia Tech await the Demon Deacons this week.

4) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Jackets had a mixed week with a loss at Georgia Tech and a win over NC State at home, but were not impressive in the win defensively. They will have to improve on the road with games at Miami and Wake Forest.

5) Florida State Seminoles

The ‘Noles split their two game home-stand with a win over Miami and defeat at the hands of the Terps. FSU could bolster their NCAA Tourney resume with a win at Clemson and taking care of business at home against BC later in the week.

6) Virginia Tech Hokies

Virginia Tech notched two important home victories this week against North Carolina and Clemson to elevate their stature in the ACC and overall. Hokies face the Wolfpack on the road on Wednesday before a home date with the ‘Hoos for the rivalry sweep.

7) Virginia Cavaliers

The ‘Hoos split their home slate last week with a W over NC State and OT loss vs. Wake Forest. As with any ACC bubble team, a home ACC loss means that every game down the stretch is crucial as they will need to pull off 2-3 ACC road wins and take every home game while winning an ACC Tourney game or two to get back into the NCAAs picture.

8 ) Clemson Tigers

Tigers only game last week was an ugly loss on the road at Virginia Tech. As I wrote about in my last post, Clemson faces two home games this week with Florida State and Miami that are must-wins.

9) North Carolina Tar Heels

Unless you have been under a rock, you know of the Tar Heels’ struggles. ACC road games are tough–especially at Maryland and Virginia Tech, but UNC is clearly lacking a gear to get into to be a NCAA Tournament squad–shocking as many pundits including me had them at the top of their ACC preseason ballot. Heels have a shot to play the unfamiliar spoiler role with their home date with Duke on Wednesday which is possible if UNC plays its most energetic lineup with Dexter Strickland in it, but I think the Blue Devils prevail regardless.

10) NC State Wolfpack

If the Wolfpack played the entire game like they did the last 3 minutes of the Georgia Tech matchup–they could have pulled out a big ACC road win, but they came close and lost again. After the other loss to UVA also this week, NC State is at a 2-7 in the ACC after dropping four straight ACC games.

11) Boston College Eagles

The Eagles have certainly improved in their last five games where they have won twice and lost by 1, 3, and 4–the last loss being by 3 to Duke at home. We will see if BC can keep it together after the close losses lately with road games at Wake Forest and Florida State.

12) Miami Hurricanes

The Canes continued their horrendous ACC season as they dropped both of their games making it 7 out of their last 8 that they have lost. On the bright side, if there’s any time for a run–it’s now as Miami has 5 of its final 7 games at home down the stretch.

We are getting into that crucial time of the year for building the tourney resume–some ACC teams are looking at unfamiliar postseason tournaments without turnarounds.

Tags: ACC Basketball, Boston College Eagles, Clemson Tigers, Duke Blue Devils, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Maryland Terrapins, Miami Hurricanes, NC State Wolfpack, North Carolina Tar Heels, potw, Virginia Cavaliers, Virginia Tech Hokies, Wake Forest Demon Deacons

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