Another week and a little more separation between the haves and have-nots among the NCAA Tourney teams…
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 passed the test of being the ACC’s best by taking down the Heels on the road and Terps at home with ease. Center Brian Zoubek put up a surprising 16 points and 17 rebounds against the Terps–if he keeps this up, the Devils are going to be a force down the stretch. Duke is only a game ahead of the Deacs still with a trip to Miami and Virginia Tech in Durham on the weekend.
2) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest notched wins at home against Boston College and Georgia Tech to stay within a game of the Blue Devils. The Deacs travel to Virginia Tech and NC State–the Hokies are coming fast on the Demon Deacons which makes this week’s Duke vs. VT and Wake vs. VT games really interesting.
3) Virginia Tech Hokies
Hard to argue that another team is playing better than the Hokies right now after four straight wins including the blitzing of NC State on the road and battling out a home win over rival Virginia. The Hokies have two crucial games this week as they can take the reins of the ACC with a sweep of the Deacs and Devils–very possible they can lose both too–most likely scenario is the split with a win over Wake and loss at Duke.
4) Maryland Terrapins
Terps went 6-2 in January and have started 2-1 in February with one game being played after this particular ballot went in with Virginia played on Monday. The blowout loss at Duke knocked them down two spots in my ballot more for the loss + the Deacs/Hokies performances–I expected the loss though. Maryland has a challenging and rare 3 game week with UVA, @NC State, and at home with Georgia Tech.
5) Florida State Seminoles
The ‘Noles lost at Clemson and played an excellent second half to blowout the Eagles at home–putting FSU among the top 6 ACC teams with an above .500 ACC record. Two challenging road games to come this week as they go to Charlottesville to take on the Cavaliers and down to Chapel Hill for a game with the up-and-down Heels. A sweep/split and the Noles are looking great going into March–two losses and the bubble edges to burst status.
6) Clemson Tigers
The Tigers got the crucial sweep of the Florida ACC teams with the 10 point win over FSU and 8 point win over the Canes. Clemson’s quest to keep off the bubble continues with their one game this week against the weary Wahoos of Virginia who will be playing their 4th game in 7 days.
7) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Jackets continued their struggles with losses to Miami and Wake Forest. At 5-6 in conference and five games to go, Georgia Tech might need 4 more ACC wins for NCAA bid security or 3 with a couple of ACC Tournament wins. Their shot at hitting that mark begins with UNC at home and a trip to Maryland later in the week.
8. Virginia Cavaliers
After the quick start in the ACC, the ‘Hoos are 1-2 in February with 3 tough games this week–Virginia needs 10-6 for serious consideration to make it into the NCAAs with a couple ACC Tournament wins. Starting Monday, they travel to Maryland, face FSU at home, and go on the road to Clemson.
9) North Carolina Tar Heels
The Heels successfully kept out of last place in the ACC against NC State with a blowout win despite losing Ed Davis for the season earlier in the week. Staying out of last and above .500 are the realistic goals left for the Tar Heels though a long-shot chance remains for the NCAAs. On the road, UNC faces Georgia Tech and Boston College this week.
10) Boston College Eagles
The 15-point loss at Florida State broke a streak of 7 games where BC won twice and lost close games for the rest. At 12-13(3-8 ACC), it will be interesting if Coach Skinner can hold on to the team’s attention down the stretch with this week’s game being both at home versus North Carolina and Virginia Tech.
11) Miami Hurricanes
The Canes put together a couple of strong efforts with a win over the bubble-y Jackets and a loss at Clemson. Miami is the anti-BC as they are still 9 games over .500 despite the 8 losses(all in ACC play). Ultimately, Miami’s 17-8 will do nothing for them with their strength of schedule/RPI–they have to win the ACC Tournament. The Canes have the mid-week off to face the Blue Devils on the weekend.
12) NC State Wolfpack
Dead last, meet the Wolfpack. (/HerbSendekReferenceCommenceNowAmIRight?) The ACC is a meat-grinder, but not quite as much this season, NC State has to be better than 2-9 in the ACC–no excuse can pardon how the wheels have come off in Raliegh. Where NC State goes from here is all a matter of the amount of faith in Lowe–the talent is there–if they really believe the team can gel and perform under Lowe, keep him–but if there is any doubt, the option is pretty clear.
We’ll have another ACC Tourney projection up today also so be sure to check it out! Any comments on the week in the ACC?
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