Conference play is well underway in the ACC, with its 18 men’s basketball programs competing almost exclusively against each other for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
While it’s more jumbled in the middle, a clear top tier is starting to emerge, led by an obvious (and familiar) standard-bearer for the conference.
Here’s where the ACC’s programs stand:
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ACC men’s basketball power rankings
(These rankings take into account games through Wednesday, Jan. 8)
1. Duke
If there were any doubts about Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils’ standing atop the league, they erased them with wins over Pitt and SMU by a combined 56 points.
2. Pitt
In the rare moments the Panthers lose this season, they lose big. Two of their three defeats this season have come by at least 25 points. A big home game against Louisville awaits Saturday.
3. Louisville
Outside of Duke, the Cardinals are the hottest team in the conference, with five straight wins. In the most recent victory, they got a career-high 32 points from Colorado transfer J’Vonne Hadley.
4. Clemson
Brad Brownell fell to 0-7 all time at the KFC Yum! Center after a 74-64 loss to Louisville that snapped a three-game win streak.
5. North Carolina
The Tar Heels just may be turning a corner. Elliot Cadeau’s four-point play gave them a much-needed win at Notre Dame, which was followed by an 82-67 victory over SMU.
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6. SMU
There’s no shame in losing to Duke and North Carolina. Doing so by a combined 42 points, and with few quality wins on their resume, hurts a little more for the Mustangs.
7. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons have looked crisp since a 10-day break between games over the holidays, with double-digit wins over Syracuse and NC State.
8. Florida State
Since the start of December, Ole Miss transfer Malique Ewin has averaged 17.4 points per game while shooting 65.9% from the floor.
9. NC State
The Wolfpack snapped a three-game losing streak by rallying from a seven-point deficit in the final four minutes to knock off Notre Dame.
10. Stanford
Maxime Raynaud has double-doubles in four of the Cardinal’s past five games, including in a win vs. Virginia Tech that snapped a three-game losing streak.
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11. Syracuse
The Orange jump a few spots after a 62-55 victory against Georgia Tech. Perhaps this will be a better team with star guard J.J. Starling now back after breaking his hand.
12. Notre Dame
Three of the Fighting Irish’s eight losses this season are by one point apiece.
13. Georgia Tech
The road loss to Syracuse snapped a three-game win streak for what looked to be a resurgent Yellow Jackets squad.
14. Virginia
It’s looking increasingly like a lost season for the Cavaliers, who lost to Louisville and Cal by a combined 34 points.
15. Cal
Before a win against Virginia, the Golden Bears had lost six of their previous seven.
16. Boston College
Six of the Eagles’ nine wins this season have come against teams ranked No. 225 or lower on KenPom.
17. Virginia Tech
After a few weeks at the bottom, Mike Young’s Hokies move up a spot after a home win against Miami.
18. Miami
This season continues to be a disaster for the Hurricanes, who are 1-11 since Nov. 21.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: ACC men’s basketball power rankings: Duke at No. 1, Louisville rises
