2024-25 ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Week 2

Sam Bass gives his ACC basketball power rankings heading into week 2 of the 2024-25 season.

Matchup of the week: Duke vs. Kentucky (Nov. 12 – 9 p.m.)

Sneaky good matchup of the week: Clemson vs. Boise State (Nov.17 – 1:30 p.m.)

All games in EST.

1) Duke Blue Devils

Preseason ranking: 1 (-)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Maine (96-61), W vs. Army (100-58)

Next week: vs. Kentucky (Nov. 12. – 9 p.m., Atlanta), vs. Wofford (Nov. 16 – 12 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Duke had a very predictable week, easily handling two buy games at home. Cooper Flagg was outstanding, averaging 15.5 points and 9 boards over two contests, but Kon Knueppel was especially elite, scoring 22 in the opener and 15 in the latter game. Duke launched 67 three-point attempts in their opening week, a trend to keep an eye on going forward.

2) North Carolina Tar Heels

Preseason ranking: 2 (-)

Record: 1-1 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Elon (90-76), L vs. Kansas (92-89)

Next week: vs. American (Nov. 15. – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

It was not a bad week for the Tar Heels by any means, as they played a tremendous game despite falling short in Lawrence. What is more of a concern is allowing Elon to come back and tie with 7 minutes to play, but opening night jitters could have been a factor. Overall, a narrow loss at Kansas is nothing to pout about and UNC should get back on track this week, hosting American.

3) Miami Hurricanes

Preseason ranking: 3 (-)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (113-72), W vs. Binghamton (88-64)

Next week: vs. Coppin State (Nov. 17. – 2 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Miami started their 2024-25 campaign off hot, easily winning their first two contests of the season. The offense exploded for 113 points against a historically solid FDU squad and followed with an 88 point outburst against Binghamton. Nigel Pack is off to another fantastic start, and Jalen Blackmon is fitting into the system well. The Hurricanes look like a powerful force early on this season.

4) Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Preseason ranking: 4 (-)

Record: 3-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Coppin State (64-49), W vs. NC A&T (80-64), W vs. Michigan (72-70)

Next week: vs. SC Upstate (Nov. 13. – 7 p.m.), at Xavier (Nov. 16 – 12 p.m.)

Quality wins: Michigan

Bad losses: None

Wake is the first team on our rankings to win a Power Five matchup (sorry, UNC). The Demon Deacs had a loaded first week, playing three games and winning all of them. Their first big win came in their latest contest, beating Michigan in a great game. Wake was up 3 late in the contest, elected to foul, and escaped a Michigan comeback. Hunter Sallis and Tre’Von Spillers combined for 34 in the game.

5) NC State Wolfpack

Preseason ranking: 5 (-)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. SC Upstate (97-66), W vs. Presbyterian (81-72)

Next week: vs. Coastal Carolina (Nov. 13. – 7 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

It was a solid week for NC State despite having so many question marks entering the year. The win over Presbyterian got a little dicey, but the Wolfpack led the entire second half, they were just unable to deliver a crushing blow, allowing the Blue Hose to stay in the game, although unable to come back. Jayden Taylor and Ben Middlebrooks are leading the scoring, although the attack has been evenly spread out in Raleigh, with six players averaging double figures through two games.

6) Clemson Tigers

Preseason ranking: 7 (+1)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Charleston Southern (91-64), W vs. St Francis PA (88-62)

Next week: vs. Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 12. – 7 p.m.), at Boise State (Nov. 17 – 1:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Chase Hunter leading the charge for Clemson comes as no surprise, as the sixth year senior averaged 15 in their first two wins of the season. Clemson also has some key role players, but it is Hunter’s show to run. Clemson makes an early road trip to Idaho to play Boise State in which could turn out to be a sneaky good matchup.

7) Virginia Cavaliers

Preseason ranking: 6 (-1)

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Campbell (65-56)

Next week: vs. Coppin State (Nov. 11. – 7 p.m.), vs. Villanova (Nov. 15 – 5 p.m., Baltimore)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Virginia was definitely exposed a bit in game one, although given the dramatic offseason, they will get a bit of a pass. The offense did look to be improved from last season, but the system is clearly not comfortable quite yet. Jacob Cofie burst on to the scenes in his collegiate debut, and Isaac McKneely, despite low volume, was efficient scoring. And as always, Virginia’s defense allowed them to win this ugly matchup.

8) Pittsburgh Panthers

Preseason ranking: 9 (+1)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Radford (96-56), W vs. Murray State (83-68)

Next week: vs. Gardner-Webb (Nov. 11. – 7 p.m.), vs. West Virginia (Nov. 15 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

It was a solid opening week for Pitt who lost a lot in the offseason. Three scorers averaged over 15 in two games, with Jaland Lowe leading the charge with 20.5 a contest on 50% shooting from beyond the arc. Ishmael Leggett scored 19 in each game, averaging 9.5 boards over the week. Pitt will have a little bit of a test Friday against West Virginia, but it should be a winnable game for Jeff Capel and co.

9) Louisville Cardinals

Preseason ranking: 8 (-1)

Record: 1-1 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Morehead State (93-45), L vs. Tennessee (77-55)

Next week: No games

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Louisville at Pat Kelsey were riding high after a trouncing of Morehead State in the teams’ opener, just to be brought down by Tennessee at home. No one expected Louisville to immediately jump to top 25 after the disasters of the last few seasons, but expectations were higher and the loss to Tennessee confirms that programs do not 180 with a coaching change. With that being said, the Cardinals do look competitive, which is already a step up from last season.

10) SMU Mustangs

Preseason ranking: 12 (+2)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Tarleton State (96-62), W vs. Florida A&M (102-73)

Next week: vs. UNC Greensboro (Nov. 11. – 8 p.m.), at Butler (Nov. 15 – 7 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

SMU is the highest climber this week in the power rankings, which could seem a bit odd considering the jumped two teams who did not lose and the Mustangs did not play any top competition. Nonetheless, SMU averaged 99 points a game in their first week, showing just how elite their offense can be. Boopie Miller has already shown he can play in the ACC, and he led the team in scoring with 20.5 in week 1. A trip to Butler will show just how legitimate this team can be.

11) Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Preseason ranking: 11 (-)

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Stonehill (89-60)

Next week: vs. Buffalo (Nov. 11. – 7 p.m.), at Georgetown (Nov. 16 – 1 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Notre Dame handled business in their lone game this week, trouncing Stonehill by 29. What seems like a given to most fans is a very important game for Notre Dame who really struggled in the non conference last season. Braeden Shrewsberry connected on four of five attempts from three and paced ND with 18 in the win. The Irish have a tough test in DC when they visit Georgetown on Saturday.

12) Syracuse Orange

Preseason ranking: 10 (-2)

Record: 1-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Le Moyne (86-82)

Next week: vs. Colgate (Nov. 12. – 7 p.m.), vs. Youngstown State (Nov. 16 – 1 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Syracuse narrowly escaped disaster this week in their opening game, beating Le Moyne by just four. The Dolphins had a chance to tie or take the lead in the last 20n seconds, but Chris Bell came up with a huge steal and two free throws for Syracuse to seal the win. There is a lot of cause of concern for the Orange who play two more buy games this week. ‘Cuse hopes these games will not be as nerve wracking.

13) Cal Golden Bears

Preseason ranking: 13 (-)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Bakersfield (86-73), W vs. Cal Poly (91-73)

Next week: at Vanderbilt (Nov. 13. – 8 p.m.), at USC (Nov. 17 – 9:30 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Cal had a nice first week as an ACC basketball team, beating two in-state opponents and avoiding any bad losses. Jovan Blackshear Jr. had a nice first week for Cal, scoring 17 and 18 in each game, respectively. Cal now has two road contests that could be tricky, traveling to Nashville to square off with Vanderbilt before heading back to California to visit USC. Two wins could turn some heads for the Golden Bears.

14) Virginia Tech Hokies

Preseason ranking: 15 (+1)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Delaware State (83-60), W vs. SC Upstate (83-74)

Next week: vs. Winthrop (Nov. 11. – 7 p.m.), vs. Penn State (Nov. 15 – 7:30 p.m., Baltimore)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

The Hokies won both games this week, not moving the needle much but handling business nonetheless. Toibu Law and Mylyjael Poteat each averaged 16.5 in the first two games. Poteat only averaged 6.4 last season as a Hokie, so his improvement is critical if VT wants to surprise the ACC. The Hokies have a Power 5 matchup against Penn State, but cannot overlook a sneaky good Winthrop squad who can absolutely give them issues.

15) Florida State Seminoles

Preseason ranking: 16 (-1)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Northern Kentucky (74-62), W vs. Rice (73-65)

Next week: vs. Tarleton State (Nov. 12. – 7 p.m.), vs. Florida (Nov. 15 – 6 p.m.)

Quality wins: at Rice

Bad losses: None

Winning at Rice is not a shocker, but having to play on the road this early in the season is tough for any squad, so it was a good win for FSU. The Noles still have a lot of questions to be answered, but two wins by 8+ points is a good sign. FSU will play host to Tarleton State before hosting in-state rival Florida on Friday, which would be a huge early resume builder for Leonard Hamilton’s squad.

16) Stanford Cardinal

Preseason ranking: 18 (+2)

Record: 2-0 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. Denver (85-62), W vs. Fullerton (80-53)

Next week: vs. Northern Arizona (Nov. 12. – 10 p.m.), vs. UC Davis (Nov. 17 – 4 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

It is a little weird to see an ACC team have a 10:00 p.m. start time for a game. Nonetheless, Stanford had a great opening week to their season, winning easily in two home games. Maxime Raynaud had an incredible two games, averaging 15 points and 13 rebounds. The French center will be a tough matchup for any opponent going forward.

17) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Preseason ranking: 14 (-3)

Record: 1-1 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. West Georgia (85-62), L vs. North Florida (105-93)

Next week: vs. Texas Southern (Nov. 12. – 7:30 p.m.), vs. Georgia (Nov. 15 – 8 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: North Florida

What could have been a nice start for GT turned into a nightmare, letting up 105 points and losing to North Florida on their home court in just the second game of the season. UNF is not a laughable program, but that is simply not a game the Yellow Jackets can afford to lose, especially this early in the season. Luckily, if they bounce back against Texas Southern, they will host Georgia on Friday, which is an instant opportunity to boost their resume and make up for the terrible loss.

18) Boston College Eagles

Preseason ranking: 17 (-1)

Record: 1-1 (0-0)

Last week: W vs. The Citadel (69-60), L vs. VCU (80-55)

Next week: vs. Temple (Nov. 15. – 7 p.m.)

Quality wins: None

Bad losses: None

Losing at VCU could be considered a bad loss, but for this BC team expectations are in the ground. The Eagles barely beat The Citadel at home and got overmatched on the road against VCU in a game they really never had a shot to win. BC hosts Temple on Friday in their lone contest this week, which, for most other ACC teams could be an easy win, but for BC will be a tough task.