Sam Bass gives his ACC basketball power rankings for week 13 of the 2022-23 college basketball season.
Matchup of the week: Miami (Fla) vs. Clemson
Sneaky good matchup of the week: North Carolina vs. Duke
All games listed are EST.
1) Virginia Cavaliers
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 16-3 (8-2)
Last week: Boston College (W) 76-57
Next week: @ Syracuse (Jan. 30 – 7 p.m.), @ Virginia Tech (Feb. 4 – Noon)
Best wins: Baylor, Illinois, North Carolina, @ Wake Forest, @ Michigan
Worst losses: @ Pittsburgh
Virginia had a light week, playing just one game against BC over the weekend. The ‘Hoos got off to a slow start but pulled away to win and improve to 16-3. Virginia has two road tests against two teams in dire need of signature wins, including in-state rival Virginia Tech.
2) Clemson Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)
Record: 18-4 (10-1)
Last week: Georgia Tech (W) 72-51, @ Florida State (W) 82-81
Next week: @ Boston College (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), #20 Miami (Feb. 4 – 3 p.m.)
Best wins: Duke, Penn State, NC State, @ Pittsburgh
Worst losses: Loyola Chicago, South Carolina
Clemson bounced back after losing their first league game last week by winning both of their matchups this season. Hunter Tyson’s game winning and-one gave Clemson the one-point edge over Florida State to cap the weekend. The Tigers remain in first place of the ACC.
3) Miami Hurricanes
Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)
Record: 16-5 (7-4)
Last week: @ Florida State (W) 86-63, @ Pittsburgh (L) 68-71
Next week: Virginia Tech (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), @ #24 Clemson (Feb. 4 – 3 p.m.)
Best wins: Virginia, Providence, Rutgers, NC State, @ UCF
Worst losses: @ Georgia Tech
Miami blew a 17 point lead at Pittsburgh over the weekend in a game the Hurricanes would have loved to have on their resume. Miami hosts Virginia Tech on Tuesday before traveling to Clemson over the weekend, a game in which the Hurricanes could make a lot of noise in.
4) North Carolina State Wolfpack
Last week’s ranking: 5 (+1)
Record: 17-5 (7-4)
Last week: Notre Dame (W) 85-82, @ Wake Forest (W) 79-77
Next week: Florida State (Feb. 1 – 9 p.m.), Georgia Tech (Feb. 4 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Miami (Fla), Duke, @ Wake Forest, Dayton
Worst Losses: N/A
Playing at Wake Forest is no easy task, but NC State prevailed in the weekend matchup by two. DJ Burns tallied 31 points on 14-26 shooting, in a game where Casey Morsell and Terquavion Smith combined for just 23. Burns and Greg Gantt tallied a total of 19 rebounds as well. The Wolfpack rely heavily on their starting 5, so production from all is very welcome in Raleigh.
5) Duke Blue Devils
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-1)
Record: 15-6 (6-4)
Last week: @ Virginia Tech (L) 75-78, @ Georgia Tech (W) 86-43
Next week: Wake Forest (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), North Carolina (Feb. 4 – 6:30 p.m.)
Best wins: Xavier, Miami (Fla), Iowa, Pittsburgh, Ohio State
Worst losses: @ Virginia Tech
Duke lost in Blacksburg, partly because of a missed flagrant foul on behalf of the Hokies after getting a lead. However, Duke had plenty of opportunities otherwise to control the game and they just did not. The Blue Devils have still not developed a true identity and their flaws are apparent.
6) North Carolina Tar Heels
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-)
Record: 15-6 (7-3)
Last week: @ Syracuse (W) 72-68
Next week: Pittsburgh (Feb. 1 – 7 p.m.), @ Duke (Feb. 4 – 6:30 p.m.)
Best wins: Charleston, NC State, Ohio State, @ Syracuse, Michigan
Worst losses: N/A
UNC thwarted Syracuse’s attempt at picking up a quality win, going into the Dome and getting a nice hard-nosed victory. UNC hosts Pitt before they turn their attention to the leagues premier rivalry game when they travel down Tobacco Road to Durham.
7) Pittsburgh Panthers
Last week’s ranking: 8 (+1)
Record: 15-7 (8-3)
Last week: Wake Forest (W) 81-79, #20 Miami (W) 71-68
Next week: @ North Carolina (Feb. 1 – 7 p.m.)
Best wins: Virginia, North Carolina, Miami (Fla), @ NC State, @ Northwestern
Worst losses: @ Vanderbilt, Florida State
Pitt completed a great comeback against Miami to pick up one of their best wins of the year. Pitt sits right on the bubble, and wins like those come a long way in March. Speaking of resumes, Pitt has another resume builder opportunity in Chapel Hill on Wednesday.
8) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-1)
Record: 14-8 (6-5)
Last week: @ Pittsburgh (L) 79-81, NC State (L) 77-79
Next week: @ Duke (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), @ Notre Dame (Feb. 4 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Clemson, Duke, @ Wisconsin, Georgia
Worst losses: Loyola Marymount
Wake lost two close games to tough teams, pretty much summing up where they stand in the league. Better than the worst, worse than the best. Right in the middle. If that holds true, Wake should lose to Duke on the road but beat Notre Dame in the following contest.
9) Virginia Tech Hokies
Last week’s ranking: 11 (+2)
Record: 13-8 (3-7)
Last week: Duke (W) 78-75, Syracuse (W) 85-70
Next week: @ #20 Miami (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), #7 Virginia (Feb. 4 – Noon)
Best wins: North Carolina, Duke, Penn State, Oklahoma State, Dayton
Worst losses: @ Boston College, @ Syracuse
Virginia Tech picked up two much needed wins this week, including a barn burner against Duke. Michael Collins Jr. hit a go-ahead jump shot, and during his celebration, fist-pumped into the neck of Kyle Filipowski. Alas, there was no call, and the Hokies squeaked out the win. V Tech has another two tests ahead, traveling to Miami before hosting Virginia.
10) Florida State Seminoles
Last week’s ranking: 10 (-)
Record: 7-15 (5-6)
Last week: #20 Miami (L) 63-86, #24 Clemson (L) 81-82
Next week: @ NC State (Feb. 1 – 9 p.m.), @ Louisville (Feb. 4 – 2 p.m.)
Best wins: @ Pittsburgh, @ Notre Dame, Mercer
Worst losses: Stetson, Troy, Siena
FSU fell to two ranked opponents but almost upset Clemson, which is an improvement for the Noles. However, they fell short and continue to slip. Two road games lie ahead for Florida State as they attempt to go back over .500 in league play.
11) Syracuse Orange
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-2)
Record: 13-9 (6-5)
Last week: North Carolina (L) 68-72, @ Virginia Tech (L) 70-85
Next week: # 7 Virginia (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), @ Boston College (Feb. 4 – 5 p.m.)
Best wins: Virginia Tech, Notre Dame (x2), Cornell
Worst losses: Colgate, Bryant, @ Virginia Tech
Syracuse’s main focus of the week was UNC, a game in which they fell just short. Adding insult to injury, they traveled to Virginia Tech and got crushed by the struggling Hokies. Syracuse needs to beat Virginia on Monday to remain relevant in the conference.
12) Boston College Eagles
Last week’s ranking: 12 (-)
Record: 10-12 (4-7)
Last week: Louisville (W) 75-65, @ #7 Virginia (L) 57-76
Next week: #24 Clemson (Jan. 31 – 7 p.m.), Syracuse (Feb. 4 – 5 p.m.)
Best wins: Virginia Tech, Notre Dame (x2), Wyoming
Worst losses: Maine, Tarleton, New Hampshire
BC kept Louisville winless and then got off to a hot start against Virginia but could not hold on for a crazy upset. BC hosts top ACC team Clemson on Tuesday, and then stays at home to face off with Syracuse, both games in which BC needs to be near perfect in order to win.
13) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Last week’s ranking: 14 (+1)
Record: 10-12 (2-9)
Last week: @ NC State (L) 82-85, Louisville (W) 76-62
Next week: Wake Forest (Feb. 4 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Lipscomb
Worst losses: St. Bonaventure, Florida State (x2), @ Boston College (x2)
Notre Dame narrowly fell to NC State on the road, which would have been a huge win in Mike Brey’s last year. However, the Fighting Irish bounced back and handled Louisville with ease over the weekend for their second conference win. Notre Dame has a light week, playing Wake Forest in South Bend to try to pull off the upset.
14) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Last week’s ranking: 13 (-1)
Record: 8-13 (1-10)
Last week: @ #24 Clemson (L) 51-72, Duke (L) 43-86
Next week: @ Louisville (Feb. 1 – 7 p.m.), @ NC State (Feb. 4 – 1 p.m.)
Best wins: Miami (Fla), Georgia, Georgia State
Worst losses: @ Florida State, Notre Dame, Syracuse
Georgia Tech fell to two solid squads, however, neither game was competitive. In fact, the Yellow Jackets were embarrassed on both side of the ball in their two games this week. GT still has one win in conference, but can easily make it two against Louisville on Wednesday.
15) Louisville Cardinals
Last week’s ranking: 15 (-)
Record: 2-19 (0-10)
Last week: @ Boston College (L) 65-75, @ Notre Dame (L) 62-76
Next week: Georgia Tech (Feb. 1 – 7 p.m.), Florida State (Feb. 4 – 2 p.m.)
Best wins: Western Kentucky, Florida A&M
Worst losses: Bellarmine, Wright State, App State, Lipscomb, @ Boston College, @ Notre Dame
Louisville fell to two bottom tier ACC basketball teams this week, possibly two of their best chances for an ACC win. The Cardinals host Georgia Tech this week, which may be their final shot to pick up a league win.