It was a pretty slow week for ACC basketball, as exams cut into playing schedules. Only one game paired ACC teams against each other, and most were against weaker teams from small conferences. Thus, there wasn’t a lot of shake-up in the rankings, but there was no shortage of drama, coaching rants, and Karl Hess.
1 – Duke: There was a layoff following their victory over Wisconsin, but it didn’t stop Jahlil Okafor from dominating Elon Monday night.
2 – Virginia: Virginia hasn’t played since last week’s rankings. Tony Bennett still probably thinks they put up too many shots. #EmbraceThePace
3 – Louisville: The Cardinals defeated UNC-Wilmington Sunday, but there weren’t many smiles in the locker room. The Seahawks closed an 18-point deficit down to two late in the game, much to the chagrin of the Louisville players and coaches.
4 – Miami: The Hurricanes also enjoyed an exam break since last week’s rankings. This gave them plenty of time to watch and re-watch “The U Part 2” on their DVRs.
5 – Notre Dame: Notre Dame is now tied atop the ACC! Hooray Irish!
6 – North Carolina: Kentucky defeated the Tar Heels at Rupp Arena despite losing Alex Poythress to an ACL tear. UNC took out their frustrations on UNC Greensboro Tuesday night, bringing much sadness to my mom, Wes Miller’s number one fan.
7 – NC State: So we’re playing the defending Southern Conference champions who returned almost their entire roster over winter break in a historic (but also ancient) venue, and we’re getting a referee who hasn’t worked our games in three years because of an incident the last time that happened? WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?
8 – Syracuse: While Rick Pitino was succinct and let his players do the talking after their disappointing win this week, Jim Boeheim made it quite clear that his players did nothing right in their two-point victory over Louisiana Tech. Fuel for the fire before Villanova, or sign that trouble is afoot in the Carrier Dome?
9 – Pittsburgh: Pitt’s defense has been strong of late, but their offense has been stagnant. The Panthers shot 40 percent in a 58-54 win over St. Bonaventure.
10 – Georgia Tech: When looking for recaps of the Yellow Jackets’ 70-57 win over Appalachian State, I noticed that GT’s athletics’ website uses Twitter handles (such as @GTMBK) in article names. I also noticed this during the opening credits of “The U Part Two.” Clearly, neither of these two programs learned from Marvin Austin.
11 – Clemson: Clemson is now 3-0 against the SEC following a defeat of Auburn. This would be much more impressive if Clemson were not also 0-2 against the Big South.
12 – Boston College: “Boston College released sporadic waves of defensive energy against an offense too inept to fight it this afternoon.” That was the lede to a recap of BC’s win over Binghamton, which may or may not have been written by Bill Walton.
13 – Virginia Tech: Blessed are the walk-ons for they shall inherit the earth. Christian Beyer led the Hokies with 13 points and nine rebounds over 27 minutes in a win over Alabama A&M.
14 – Florida State: “We lost to Notre Dame!?!?!?! But what about the playoffs? Oh, it was basketball. That’s cool.” — FSU’s campus.
15 – Wake Forest: The Deacons now have company at 0-1 in conference play. They were probably too busy beating Samford to notice, though.
Until next week, peace, love, and #goacc.
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