Atlantic Coast Conference Men’s Basketball Power Poll – January 9, 2013

Good evening and Happy New Year, Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men’s Basketball Fans!!!

We’re about two games into the conference season for all of the teams – and it’s time for my first ACC hoops power poll!!  Look out below:

1. Duke – Is there any question that the Blue Devils aren’t #1 in the ACC and the land?  Duke got some bad news in the game with Clemson – Ryan Kelly injured his foot.  However, if Quinn Cook scores 20+ per game, the Devils will still be dangerous.
2. NC State – The Wolfpack had a big win vs. Stanford – and have an even bigger game coming up on Saturday vs. Duke.
3. Miami – Shane Larkin might be one of the most improved players in the ACC.
4. Florida State – I’m with @ACCSports in that the Seminoles got a road win over Maryland tonight that’s going to look much better as the season progresses.
5. North Carolina – The Jekyll and Hyde of the ACC – can look so good vs. UNLV – and look so bad vs. Virginia.
6. Virginia – Everyone says that they want to force the Hoos to play a different tempo – fact is, they never do.  Hoos are going to have a lot of close games this year because of their style of play.  Can’t play to the level of your opponent, though (e.g. defeat UNC – lose to Wake Forest).
7. Maryland – Terps have looked really good at times this season (see the Kentucky game where Alex Len was the best player on the court). Many withheld judgement on the Terps because they had not played a decent team – they did tonight vs. FSU and lost – but they will get better as the season progresses.
8. Wake Forest – The Demon Deacons picked up a nice win vs. the Hoos.
9. Georgia Tech  – Not sure what to make of the Jackets.  Thought they played well vs. Illinois in the ACC – Big 10 challenge, but have not looked very good offensively in two ACC games vs. Miami and NC State (in fairness, I think the Jackets have played two NCAA tournament teams).  Need to see more from the Jackets before I move them ahead of Wake Forest.
10. Boston College – Boston College has a group of very athletic guards, the team is coached well, and will be a thorn in the side of ACC teams that feel they don’t have to show up for the Eagles.
11. Virginia Tech – I feel bad for Erick Green, the nation’s leading scorer, because he’s not getting much help right now from the rest of his teammates.  He’s going to have a lot of lonely nights this year.
12. Clemson – The only reason I have Clemson at #12 is because the Tigers might actually be more offensively challenged than the Hokies.

Your thoughts?

Looking forward to more ACC hoops!!!