Jack Nevins gives his ACC basketball power rankings heading into week 5 of the 2025-26 season.
Week 4 team of the week: Duke Blue Devils
Week 4 game of the week: No. 3 Houston vs. Syracuse
Week 4 player of the week: Cameron Boozer, Duke
Week 5 matchup of the week: #4 Duke at #11 Michigan State (Dec. 6 – 12 p.m. EST)
Week 5 under-the-radar matchup of the week: #16 North Carolina at #19 Kentucky (Dec. 2 – 9:30 p.m. EST)
1) Duke Blue Devils
Last week’s ranking: 1 (-)
Record: 8-0 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. No. 22 Arkansas (80-71)
Next week: vs. No. 15 Florida (Dec. 2 – 7:30 p.m.), at No. 11 Michigan State (Dec. 6 – 12 p.m.)
Quality wins: Texas, Kansas, Arkansas
Bad losses: None
Undefeated heading into December, Duke pairs top-tier talent with a challenging non-conference slate; elite freshman scoring from Cameron Boozer and depth keep them at the top of the league picture and the top of college basketball. Their efficiency and marquee wins give them the strongest résumé in the ACC. This coming week could not get harder for Duke, with Florida and Kentucky, but they then get faced with Texas Tech towards the end of the month, right before ACC play.
2) Louisville Cardinals
Last week’s ranking: 2 (-)
Record: 7-0 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Eastern Michigan (87-46), W vs. NJIT (104-47)
Next week: vs. No. 25 Arkansas (Dec. 3 – 7:15 p.m.), at No. 22 Indiana (Dec. 6 – 2 p.m.)
Quality wins: Kentucky
Bad losses: None
Louisville remains unbeaten and leads the conference in offensive explosiveness in early stats; transfers and shooters have them executing at a high clip, making them a top-three team on resume and metrics, as well as being ranked sixth in the NCAA Top 25. Although they have not had the strongest stretch of games to start their season, Arkansas, Indiana, and Tennessee will give them trouble down the line.
3) North Carolina Tar Heels
Last week’s ranking: 3 (-)
Record: 6-1 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. St. Bonaventure (85-70), L vs. North Carolina (74-58)
Next week: at No. 18 Kentucky (Dec. 2 – 9:30 p.m.), vs. Georgetown (Dec. 7 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: Kansas
Bad losses: None
North Carolina has shown size and scoring punch and sits among the best early records; their roster mix with impact freshman and experienced transfers gives them a top-5 ceiling if they maintain efficiency vs. top competition. Freshman Caleb Wilson is dominating the ACC, but a close loss to Michigan State does not completely kill the Tar Heels.
4) SMU Mustangs
Last week’s ranking: 5 (-1)
Record: 8-0 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Radford (89-72), W at Mississippi State (87-81)
Next week: at No. 17 Vanderbilt (Dec. 3 – 9:15 p.m.), vs. Texas A&M (Dec. 7 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
SMU is the real deal, and their perfect start to the season is no joke. Veteran guard play, and the scoring punch from Jaron Pierre Jr. and Boopie Miller have produced clutch wins against quality opponents. Their record and offensive output place them just behind Duke as an early-season contender. Although having faced no ranked opponents, their first test comes with number 17 Vanderbilt.
5) Clemson Tigers
Last week’s ranking: 8 (+3)
Record: 7-1 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Alabama A&M (92-56)
Next week: at No. 12 Alabama (Dec. 3 – 7:15 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Clemson enters early December with an upper hand on the rest of the ACC, a balanced roster and bench that roster that can help deliver on both ends of the ball and even in transition on both ends of the floor. Their non-conference slate didn’t include too many glamour games besides an impressive win over Georgia and West Virginia, but consistency and roster depth give them momentum heading into the tougher stretch. The Tigers take on Alabama this week, to then follow it up with BYU and freshman phenom AJ Dybansta.
6) Virginia Cavaliers
Last week’s ranking: 10 (+4)
Record: 7-1 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Queens (94-69)
Next week: at Texas (Dec. 3 – 9:15 p.m.), vs. Dayton (Dec. 6 – 12 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: Butler
Virginia’s efficiency-first style has produced clean results and solid advanced metrics. They’re not necessarily high volume, but their defense and execution keep them consistently competitive. The one loss at home to Butler is chewing away their non-conference schedule, but in a competitive ACC, they have to survive and advance.
7) Miami Hurricanes
Last week’s ranking: 12 (+5)
Record: 6-2 (0-0)
Last week: L vs. No. 9 BYU (72-62), W vs. Georgetown (78-65)
Next week: at Ole Miss (Dec. 2 – 9 p.m.), vs. Southern Miss (Dec. 6 – Noon)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: Butler
Malik Reneau, who is averaging 20.8 PPG, is helping the Canes stay in the middle of the pack in the ACC. The solid rebounding and scoring have also helped lead Miami to a 6-2 record. Miami stays away from ranked opponents for the next week and a month up until the start of conference play. This will help boost the Hurricanes in the ACC.
8) NC State Wolfpack
Last week’s ranking: 4 (-4)
Record: 5-2 (0-0)
Last week: L vs. Seton Hall (85-74), W vs. Boise State (81-70), L vs. Texas (102-97)
Next week: at No. 20 Auburn (Dec. 3 – 9:15 p.m.), vs. UNC Asheville (Dec. 6 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
NC State’s win total is lower than some ahead of them, but high-impact transfers such as Darrion Williams and Ven-Allen Lubin, and strong per-possession metrics keep their upside high. Losing two of their last three games, they still remain competitive among the conference but fall out of the AP Poll. Is this NC State team the real deal? Or have they disappointed most, and will we see their fall off during ACC play?
9) California Golden Bears
Last week’s ranking: 13 (+4)
Record: 6-1 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. No. 18 UCLA (80-72)
Next week: vs. Utah (Dec. 2 – 10 p.m.), vs. Pacific (Dec. 6 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: UCLA
Bad losses: Kansas State
Cal’s resume includes an impressive win over No. 18 UCLA, which came from efficient scoring from team standouts Chris Bell and Dai Dai Ame, with their ability to compete with power-conference teams earning them a spot in the top ten. Bell has really shown out for the Golden Bears, proving that Syracuse was not for him and he needed to be put in a different role. Cal is slowly proving itself to be a contender in the ACC after beating UCLA.
10) Stanford Cardinal
Last week’s ranking: 16 (+6)
Record: 6-1 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Minnesota (72-68), W vs. St. Louis (78-77)
Next week: vs. Portland (Dec. 1 – 10 p.m.), vs. UNLV (Dec. 7 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: Seattle U
With an early loss to Seattle, the Cardinal looked rough, but have since rallied back with some nice wins as of late. Stanford’s steady, efficient two-way play has produced a 6–1 ledger; their veteran play and execution make them a tough matchup even if they don’t rank among the conference’s highest-scoring clubs. Their biggest surprise comes from freshman Ebuka Okorie, averaging 23.0 points per game.
11) Virginia Tech Hokies
Last week’s ranking: 7 (-4)
Record: 6-2 (0-0)
Last week: L vs. Saint Mary’s (77-66), L vs. VCU (86-68)
Next week: at South Carolina (Dec. 2 – 7 p.m.), vs. George Mason (Dec. 6 – 3 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: VCU
Virginia Tech’s early results and newcomer impact put them inside the top half. Defensive improvements are the key that can push them further. They lost back-to-back games in the Battle 4 Atlantis this past week to decent opponents and have a favorable stretch ahead to see how they respond. They have an undefeated George Mason coming up and a tough South Carolina team on the road this week.
12) Florida State Seminoles
Last week’s ranking: 15 (-3)
Record: 5-2 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Bakersfield (89-59), L vs. Texas A&M (95-59)
Next week: vs. Georgia (Dec. 2 – 9 p.m.), vs. Houston (Dec. 6 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
FSU has shown promising offensive totals while integrating a new staff and rotation, and their record is better than preseason expectations. Continued defensive closeouts and a tightening of their defense will help them make the jump. But with Houston in the way and UNC and Duke to start conference play, FSU will struggle.
13) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last week’s ranking: 9 (-4)
Record: 6-2 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Campbell (99-51), W vs. Northeastern (86-73)
Next week: vs. Oklahoma (Dec. 2 – 7 p.m.), vs. West Virginia (Dec. 6 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Wake Forest’s record is carried by standout scorer Juke Harris, who leads the team in scoring, rebounding, and steals. The Deacons rely heavily on his scoring. If the supporting cast improves defensive consistency, they can continue rising. The Demon Deacons have three straight wins, and this should give them some momentum heading into the ACC/SEC challenge.
14) Syracuse Orange
Last week’s ranking: 6 (-8)
Record: 4-3 (0-0)
Last week: L vs. No. 3 Houston (78-74), L vs. Kansas (71-60), L vs. No. 15 Iowa State (96-64)
Next week: vs. No. 13 Tennessee (Dec. 2 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
The Orange had high hopes going into the Players Era Tournament after a 4-0 start, and Star Donnie Freeman was leading the charge with help from freshman standout Kiyan Anthony. Syracuse pushed Houston to its limits, losing 78-74 in overtime, but free throws were the downfall for the Orange. They then got blown out by Iowa State in the final game of the festival. With Tennessee in the Dome Tuesday night, the Orange look to bounce back.
15) Pittsburgh Panthers
Last week’s ranking: 17 (+2)
Record: 5-3 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Ohio State (67-66)
Next week: vs. Texas A&M (Dec. 2 – 7 p.m.), vs. Hofstra (Dec. 7 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: vs. Ohio State
Bad losses: Quinnipiac
After losing back-to-back games, the Panthers were able to rally against a talented Ohio State team. Pittsburgh’s recent games have shown potential, but inconsistency and front-court limitations have held them back, if they figure out a way to find their rhythm, they could surprise lower-tier projections.
16) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Last week’s ranking: 11 (-5)
Record: 5-3 (0-0)
Last week: L vs. DePaul (75-61), L vs. Drake (84-74)
Next week: vs. Mississippi State (Dec. 3 – 9:15 p.m.), vs. Monmouth (Dec. 6 – 12 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
The Yellow Jackets have shown flashes this season, but are really without a superstar. Their leading scorer is only averaging 14 PPG, and without a true leader, it makes it hard to compete in ACC basketball. After losses to DePaul and Drake, GT has an easier path to ACC play to make up some ground.
17) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Last week’s ranking: 14 (-3)
Record: 5-3 (0-0)
Last week: L vs. Kansas (71-61), W vs. Rutgers (68-63), L vs. No. 3 Houston (66-56)
Next week: at Missouri (Dec. 2 – 9 p.m.), at TCU (Dec. 5 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Notre Dame’s veteran contributors have kept them competitive early, especially junior Markus Burton, but a thin rotation and lack of depth beyond their primary scorers leave questions about sustained consistency. The Irish only have two players averaging double-digit points, with Burton averaging 20. There is hope for ND as they had a nice win over Rutgers.
18) Boston College Eagles
Last week’s ranking: 18 (-)
Record: 4-4 (0-0)
Last week: W vs. Harvard (73-60)
Next week: vs. LSU (Dec. 3 – 9 p.m.), vs New Haven (Dec. 6 – 12 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
It just feels like Boston College is not great at anything in sports right, finding the bottom of both the ACC in basketball and football. They continue to grow and show signs of competitiveness through a thin roster and until perimeter shooting improves and turnovers decrease, they may struggle to climb the standings.