Drew Cagle gives his ACC basketball power rankings heading into week 2 of the 2026-27 season.
Week 1 team of the week: Virginia Cavaliers
Week 1 game of the week: #9 Virginia defeated #12 Arkansas 91-72
Week 1 player of the week: Money Williams, Boston College
Week 2 matchup of the week: #2 Duke vs. #8 Michigan State (Nov. 10 – 7 p.m. in Chicago, IL)
Week 2 under-the-radar matchup of the week: Georgetown at Clemson (Nov. 13 – 6 p.m.)
1) Duke Blue Devils
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Army (84-50), W vs. Coastal Carolina (113-52)
Next week: vs. #6 Michigan State (Neutral, Nov. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs SIU Edwardsville (Nov. 13 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
The Blue Devils sprinted into the 2026-27 season as an undisputed top-2 team in the nation. Jon Scheyer’s squad dispatched a pair of inferior opponents in Week 1, but has a blockbuster matchup against No. 6 Michigan State in Chicago on Tuesday. That result should give us a good early barometer for just how good Duke can be this season.
2) Virginia Cavaliers
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 3-0
Last week: W vs. Drexel (89-60), W vs. Northeastern (97-72), W vs. #12 Arkansas (Neutral, 91-72)
Next week: vs. Bucknell (Nov. 10 – 9 p.m.), at Maryland (Nov. 13 – 8 p.m.)
Quality wins: Arkansas
Bad losses: None
Virginia scored the conference’s most impressive win on Sunday afternoon, dismantling a hyped-up Arkansas team in the nation’s capital. The Cavaliers did it with a balanced scoring effort, with all five starters scoring between 13 and 16 points in the contest. UVA should find itself comfortably inside the AP Poll’s top 10 on Monday, a feat that the program hasn’t achieved this early in a season since 2018-19.
3) Louisville Cardinals
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Chattanooga (84-70), W vs. Morehead State (107-57)
Next week: at Memphis (Nov. 15 – 1 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Louisville landed a highly-touted transfer portal class that included starters Flory Bidunga, Seth Trimble and Jackson Sheldstad. Head coach Pat Kelsey is looking to build on NCAA Tournament appearances in his first two seasons on the job. Notably, the Cardinals haven’t reached the Sweet 16 since 2015, which should be the floor for the 2027 team.
4) Miami Hurricanes
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 1-1
Last week: L vs. #1 Florida (77-67), W vs. Wagner (83-57)
Next week: vs. North Florida (Nov. 9 – 7 p.m.), vs. North Alabama (Nov. 13 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
The Hurricanes opened things up with a competitive loss to #1 Florida in Tampa, and should be taken seriously as a contender in this conference. Jai Lucas proved in his first season that he can earn a team’s buy-in quickly, and he replenished with talented pieces like Somto Cyril and L.J. Cason in the transfer portal. Non-conference matchups with TCU and Alabama will be good tests of just how quickly Miami can gel.
5) North Carolina Tar Heels
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Western Carolina (80-72), W vs. Wofford (109-70)
Next week: vs. Wyoming (Nov. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs. Georgia (Nov. 13 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
North Carolina fans saw the Michael Malone era get off to a rocky start against Western Carolina, but the Tar Heels bounced back. Despite spending a high price on the roster and bringing in an NBA champion to lead the program, UNC could be in for a transition year in 2027. The non-conference schedule is less rigorous than recent years, which could also serve as a positive.
6) Clemson Tigers
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Stetson (85-72), W vs. American (82-73)
Next week: vs. North Dakota (Nov. 9 – 7 p.m.), vs. Georgetown (Nov. 13 – 6 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Brad Brownell was forced into a major reload through the transfer portal for a second straight year after mainstays Dillon Hunter (graduation), R.J. Godfrey (5th year/portal), and Jestin Porter (graduation) departed the program.
Standout sophomore guard Zac Foster’s ACL tear in preseason was a brutal blow to a Tigers team that was already thin on backcourt pieces. The aforementioned Hunter is seeking a 5th year of eligibility and has been with the team, but his status is unknown. Clemson has earned a pair of wins thus far, but will be in a tricky position if Hunter is not eligible.
7) Florida State Seminoles
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Florida A&M (113-69), W vs. Troy (91-68)
Next week: vs. Florida (Nov. 10 – 6 p.m.), vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Nov. 13 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Luke Loucks and the Seminoles are off to a 2-0 start, averaging over 100 points per game in the process. That offense will be tested on Tuesday night against top-ranked Florida. It’s a great opportunity for the first statement victory of the Loucks era in Tallahassee.
8) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Villanova (74-72), W vs. Mercyhurst (83-56)
Next week: vs. Eastern Illinois (Nov. 9 – 7 p.m.), vs. South Carolina State (Nov. 11 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: Villanova
Bad losses: None
Head coach Micah Shrewsberry was facing pressure from Notre Dame fans after three straight seasons without reaching the postseason. The team’s 2-point win over Villanova in Rome was arguably the best of Shrewsberry’s tenure.
Notre Dame will participate in the second annual Players Era tournament in just a couple of weeks in Las Vegas. That event, which will see the Irish battle Florida in the quarterfinals, will likely be a proving ground to test what Notre Dame has built for this season.
9) SMU Mustangs
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Southern (85-72), W vs. VMI (95-70)
Next week: vs. Prairie View A&M (Nov. 10 – 8 p.m.), vs. Ball State (Nov. 13 – 9 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Boopie Miller departed the Mustangs due to graduation, but head coach Andy Enfield projects to have another solid, middle-of-the-road team in the ACC.
A big reason why is the transfers SMU was able to land. Guard Rowan Brumbaugh averaged 19 points per game at Tulane last season, but is still finding his footing with SMU. He’s averaged just 6 points through two games with the Mustangs. Sophomore Jaden Toombs has been a major bright spot of the season so far, leading the team in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
10) NC State Wolfpack
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Campbell (83-64), W vs. East Tennessee State (77-63)
Next week: vs. Presbyterian (Nov. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs. Troy (Nov. 13 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
NC State has taken care of two easier opponents thus far, and will remain at home until a December 6 trip to take on #8 Tennessee in Nashville. That homestand gives new head coach Justin Gainey some time to establish an identity, which already seems to be forming on the defensive end of the floor.
11) Syracuse Orange
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. New Haven (74-58), W vs. Central Connecticut (102-49)
Next week: vs. Indiana (Nov. 9 – 6:30 p.m.), at St. John’s (Nov. 15 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
The Orange showed out offensively in both of their wins thus far, similarly to Florida State. Monday’s matchup in Indianapolis against the Hoosiers will be a great early test for Gerry McNamara’s group.
12) Virginia Tech Hokies
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Coppin State (88-54), W vs. Mercer (96-67)
Next week: vs. Iowa in Sioux City, IA (Nov. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs. Mount St. Mary’s (Nov. 13 – 7 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
The Hokies have flashed offensive potential in the first couple of games heading into a major matchup with Iowa in enemy territory. Senior forward Amani Hansberry is a name to know for the team, averaging a team-leading 19.5 points per game thus far.
13) California Golden Bears
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-1
Last week: W vs. Adams State (115-86), W vs. Radford (84-70), L vs. #10 Houston (68-86)
Next week: vs. USC (Nov. 11 – 11 p.m.), vs Utah Tech (Nov. 14 – 5 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
California struggled offensively in Sunday night’s loss to Houston, turning the ball over 16 times. The team’s offense looks to be led by sophomore guard Michael Cooper, who has scored at least 16 points in all 3 of the team’s games. Pitt transfer Nojus Indrusaitis is another notable transfer who is averaging 18.7 points per game.
14) Pittsburgh Panthers
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 3-0
Last week: W vs. Rider (95-57), W vs. Buffalo (80-61), W vs. Penn State (82-76)
Next week: at Butler (Nov. 13 – 6:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Jeff Capel is off to a 3-0 start in his 9th season at the helm in Pittsburgh. The Panthers, who are seeking a second NCAA Tournament appearance in Capel’s tenure, will be tested in non-conference play. Sunday night’s win over Penn State was a promising start, but Pitt will face Butler, Villanova, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Missouri before getting going in ACC play.
15) Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 1-1
Last week: W vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore (83-62), L at #24 Vanderbilt (51-74)
Next week: vs. Charleston Southern (Nov. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs. Southern Utah (Nov. 14 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Wake Forest struggled out of the gate in a 23-point drubbing at the hands of Vanderbilt. Head coach Steve Forbes is one of the main “hot seat” coaches in the ACC, and will need at least NCAA Tournament contention to make 2027 a successful season for the Deacons.
Notably, Wake Forest has shot just 26.5% from deep through their first two games, the 3rd-lowest mark in the ACC.
16) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Hampton (75-55), W vs. Georgia Southern (95-83)
Next week: vs. Eastern Kentucky (Nov. 10 – 7 p.m.), vs. UNC Asheville (Nov. 14 – 4 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Georgia Tech pivoted hard after firing head coach Damon Stoudamire, hiring Troy’s Scott Cross and bringing in a bevy of new players to the Flats. Though I believe in the quality of GT’s roster, there isn’t much Power Five experience on it. That’s an issue that could prove difficult once ACC play gets going.
The Yellow Jackets should undoubtedly improve from last season’s 2-16 ACC record, but will still be one of the weaker teams in the conference.
17) Boston College Eagles
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Wagner (76-50), W vs. UMass (71-55)
Next week: vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore (Nov. 10 – 7:00 p.m.), vs. New Hampshire (Nov. 15 – 1:30 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Boston College still finds itself near the bottom of the ACC basketball power rankings, despite the intriguing hire of UConn assistant Luke Murray as head coach. The Eagles are still a work in progress offensively in non-conference play, but should be led by senior guard Money Williams.
A transfer from Montana, Williams is averaging 28.5 points per game (4th nationally) and 7 rebounds for the Eagles. He’s a clear player for BC to lean on as it seeks success in year 1 under Murray.
18) Stanford Cardinal
Last week’s ranking: N/A (-)
Record: 2-0
Last week: W vs. Eastern Washington (74-65), W vs. Oakland (81-63)
Next week: vs. Rice (Nov. 9 – 10 p.m.), at UNLV (Nov. 13 – 9 p.m.)
Quality wins: None
Bad losses: None
Head coach Kyle Smith has won 20 or more games in his first two seasons at Stanford, but I’m not sold on the 2027 version of the Cardinal. The offense doesn’t have Ebuka Okorie to lead the way, and that issue has shown up in both of the team’s first two games.
If Stanford can reach its goals this season, it’ll likely be because of senior forward Nick Townsend. The Yale transfer and 2026 Ivy League Player of the Year is averaging 18.5 points and 7 rebounds per game so far for the Cardinal.