2022-23 ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Week 14

Sam Bass gives his ACC basketball power rankings for week 14 of the 2022-23 college basketball season.

Matchup of the week: NC State vs. Virginia

Sneaky good matchup of the week: Clemson vs. North Carolina

All games listed are EST.

1) Virginia Cavaliers

Last week’s ranking: 1

Record: 17-4 (9-3)

Last week: @ Syracuse (W) 67-62, @ Virginia Tech (L) 68-74

Next week: #22 NC State (Feb. 7 – 9 p.m.), Duke (Feb. 11 – 4 p.m.)

Best wins: Baylor, Illinois, North Carolina, @ Wake Forest

Worst losses: @ Pittsburgh, @ Virginia Tech

After picking up a gritty win at Syracuse, Virginia fell to rival VT on the road. Jayden Gardener had a nice game, but the ‘Hoos struggled to defend the Hokies on the three-point line and got burnt. It’s a tough loss for Virginia, but they’re still in position to win at least a share of the league. This week is crucial for Tony Bennett’s team, as they host two of the league’s tougher teams, including Duke who is coming off a huge win.

2) Miami Hurricanes

Last week’s ranking: 3 (+1)

Record: 18-5 (9-4)

Last week: Virginia Tech (W) 92-83, @ #20 Clemson (W) 78-74

Next week: Duke (Feb. 6 – 7 p.m.), Louisville (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.)

Best wins: Virginia, Providence, Rutgers, NC State, @ Clemson, @ UCF

Worst losses: @ Georgia Tech

Miami picked up perhaps its best win, going into Clemson and coming out with the victory. Miami is clearly the second-best team in the conference as far as talent goes, however, the Hurricanes fail to execute in every game, which is worrisome, especially late in the season. They play host to Duke during the week which is another opportunity for a big win.

3) North Carolina State Wolfpack

Last week’s ranking: 4 (+1)

Record: 19-5 (9-4)

Last week: Florida State (W) 94-66, Georgia Tech (W) 72-64

Next week: @ #8 Virginia (Feb. 7 – 9 p.m.), @ Boston College (Feb. 11 – Noon)

Best wins: Miami (Fla), Duke, @ Wake Forest, Dayton

Worst Losses: N/A

NC State is quietly becoming one of the league’s best teams and no one is talking about them. With the emergence of Clemson and Pitt, and Virginia and Miami doing their thing, NC State has flown under the radar. The Wolfpack won two easy games this week, but can finally garner national attention if they can win at Virginia this Tuesday.

4) Pittsburgh Panthers

Last week’s ranking: 7 (+3)

Record: 16-7 (9-3)

Last week: @ North Carolina (W) 65-64

Next week: Louisville (Feb. 7 – 7 p.m.), @ Florida State (Feb. 11 – Noon)

Best wins: Virginia, @ NC State, Miami (Fla), North Carolina (x2), @ Northwestern

Worst losses: @ Vanderbilt, Florida State

After losing to Florida State at home, I had expected Pitt to fall into their own ways. However, Jeff Capel and co. have done the opposite, surging to the top of the ACC and now sit just half a game back from first place. The Panthers won a big win in Chapel Hill in their lone game this week, but that was enough for me to give them the respect they deserve. Pitt is a legitimate at-large tournament team.

5) Duke Blue Devils

Last week’s ranking: 5 (-)

Record: 17-6 (8-4)

Last week: Wake Forest (W) 75-73, North Carolina (W) 63-57

Next week: @ #19 Miami (Feb. 6 – 7 p.m.), @ #8 Virginia (Feb. 11 – 4 p.m.)

Best wins: Xavier, Miami (Fla), Iowa, North Carolina, Pittsburgh

Worst losses: @ Virginia Tech

Duke had two nice home wins, the second over rival UNC. Kyle Filipowski went down but returned later in the game, yet it was Jeremy Roach who played all 40 minutes and led all scorers with 20. Roach is still Duke’s X-factor, and as long as he is consistent, Duke should get back on track.

6) Clemson Tigers

Last week’s ranking: 2 (-4)

Record: 18-6 (10-3)

Last week: @ Boston College (L) 54-62, #23 Miami (L) 74-78

Next week: @ North Carolina (Feb. 11 – 2 p.m.)

Best wins: Duke, NC State, @ Pittsburgh, Penn State

Worst losses: Loyola Chicago, South Carolina, @ Boston College

Clemson got a tad exposed this week. After starting the ACC basketball slate red hot, they fell to one of the league’s worst teams in BC, and then could not bounce back at home against Miami. Clemson is still in first place, but a trip to Chapel Hill could absolutely extend the losing streak to three and drop the Tigers in the standings.

7) North Carolina Tar Heels

Last week’s ranking: 6 (-1)

Record: 15-8 (7-5)

Last week: Pittsburgh (L) 64-65, @ Duke (L) 57-63

Next week: @ Wake Forest (Feb. 7 – 7 p.m.), Clemson (Feb. 11 – 2 p.m.)

Best wins: Charleston, NC State, @ Syracuse

Worst losses: Pittsburgh

UNC lost two tough games, one down Tobacco Road and the other at home to Pitt. The Tar Heels continue to be inconsistent, as they look like a Top-15 team at times and look like an NIT first-round exit at others. If the Tar Heels can sneak into the field, another Cinderella run could be in store, but it could also be a quick departure.

8) Virginia Tech Hokies

Last week’s ranking: 9 (+1)

Record: 14-9 (4-8)

Last week: @ #23 Miami (L) 83-92, #6 Virginia (W) 74-68

Next week: Boston College (Feb. 8 – 7 p.m.), @ Notre Dame (Feb. 11 – 2 p.m.)

Best wins: Virginia, Duke, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Dayton, Penn State

Worst losses: @ Boston College, @ Syracuse

VT had two ranked games this week and made the most of it, going 1-1 but winning the Commonwealth Clash over sixth-ranked UVA. Sean Pedulla had a nice game, scoring 22 and finding his shot well. VT should win two more next week and be in a position to make a push toward the top half of the league.

9) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Last week’s ranking: 8 (-1)

Record: 15-9 (7-6)

Last week: @ Duke (L) 73-75, @ Notre Dame (W) 81-64

Next week: North Carolina (Feb. 7 – 7 p.m.), Georgia Tech (Feb. 11 – 5 p.m.)

Best wins: Duke, Clemson, @ Wisconsin, Georgia

Worst losses: Loyola Marymount

Wake almost beat Duke on the road, but unfortunately could not close out the upset. Wake remains in the middle ground of ACC basketball teams, in that they are not as bad as the bottom tier but do not quite have the resume or talent to make a run for an at-large. It would take a lot for Wake to push toward that upper tier, as well.

10) Florida State Seminoles

Last week’s ranking: 10 (-)

Record: 8-16 (6-7)

Last week: @ NC State (L) 66-94, @ Louisville (W) 81-78

Next week: Syracuse (Feb. 8 – 7 p.m.), Pittsburgh (Feb. 11 – Noon)

Best wins: @ Pittsburgh, @ Notre Dame, Mercer

Worst losses: Stetson, Troy, Siena

Florida State met expectations this week, losing at NC State but beating Louisville on the road. Although it was a dog fight, FSU kept Louisville in the loss column with the 3-point win. The Seminoles play host to Syracuse and Pitt this week, and two wins could elicit some noise, but two losses would pretty much knock the Noles out of league contention if they have not been already.

11) Syracuse Orange

Last week’s ranking: 11 (-)

Record: 14-10 (7-6)

Last week: #6 Virginia (L) 62-67, @ Boston College (W) 77-68

Next week: @ Florida State (Feb. 8 – 7 p.m.)

Best wins: Virginia Tech, Notre Dame (x2), Cornell

Worst losses: Colgate, Bryant, @ Virginia Tech

Syracuse’s chances at a quad-1 win are slim to none after falling to Virginia in the dome. Cuse’s unhealthy love for the bubble is burst because the Orange are firmly on the outside looking in. A win at Florida State is not something to look past if it were to happen this week, but Jim Boeheim needs much more from his team to even be talked about when discussing the field of 68.

12) Boston College Eagles

Last week’s ranking: 12 (-)

Record: 11-13 (5-8)

Last week: #20 Clemson (W) 62-54, Syracuse (L) 68-77

Next week: @ Virginia Tech (Feb. 8 – 7 p.m.), #22 NC State (Feb. 11 – Noon)

Best wins: Clemson, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame (x2)

Worst losses: Maine, Tarleton, New Hampshire

BC picked up its best win, beating the league’s top team. The victory will most likely be the highlight of the Eagles’ season, but, nonetheless, a great win from Boston College.

13) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Last week’s ranking: 13 (-)

Record: 10-13 (2-10)

Last week: Wake Forest (L) 64-81

Next week: @ Georgia Tech (Feb. 8 – 7 p.m.), Virginia Tech (Feb. 11 – 2 p.m.)

Best wins: Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Lipscomb

Worst losses: St. Bonaventure, Florida State (x2), Boston College (x2)

Notre Dame lost their only contest this week, getting blown out by Wake in South Bend. Mike Brey’s last season at ND is nothing short of a disappointment, and Notre Dame will have to just look ahead to next season with a new coach for any college hoops success.

14) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Last week’s ranking: 14 (-)

Record: 8-15 (1-12)

Last week: @ Louisville (L) 58-68, @ NC State (L) 64-72

Next week: Notre Dame (Feb. 8 – 7 p.m.), @ Wake Forest (Feb. 11 – 5 p.m.)

Best wins: Miami (Fla), Georgia, Georgia State

Worst losses: @ Florida State, Notre Dame, Syracuse, @ Louisville

The epitome of brutality cannot even describe GT’s loss to Louisville. The Cardinals seemed to be on track to finishing the league slate winless, but the Yellow Jacket lost to them by 10. It does not get lower than that, as GT now sits in last in the ACC.

15) Louisville Cardinals

Last week’s ranking: 15 (-)

Record: 3-20 (1-11)

Last week: Georgia Tech (W) 68-58, Florida State (L) 78-81

Next week: @ Pittsburgh (Feb. 7 – 7 p.m.), @ #19 Miami (Feb. 11 – 7 p.m.)

Best wins: Western Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Florida A&M

Worst losses: Bellarmine, Wright State, App State, Lipscomb, @ Boston College, @ Notre Dame

It has been quite a while since I put a W in Louisville’s column, but here we are! The Cardinals got on the board, and moved up in the standings, with a win over Georgia Tech this week. Time to celebrate!