Before the season, we made Power Rankings for each of the power conferences, today we adjust them based on what we've seen so far.
North Carolina (pre-season: 4) 11-3, 3-0
The Tar Heels have shook off the stench of last year's disappointment so far this year. RJ Davis has played at an extremely high level, scoring 20.6 ppg while Armando Bacot continues to put up numbers, scoring 14.9 ppg and hauling down 11.1 rpg. Key additions Harrison Ingram and Cormac Ryan round out the Tar Heels, who look like the ACC favorites at this point.
Duke (pre-season: 1) 12-3, 3-1
The Blue Devils started the season very up-and-down, which included a home loss to Arizona, a road loss to Arkansas, and a road loss to Georgia Tech to open up ACC play in early December. Since then, they knocked off Baylor at MSG, and won ACC road games against Notre Dame and Pitt. Things are certainly trending up Blue Devil as Jaren McCain and Caleb Foster are finding their roles nicely behind star forward Kyle Filipowski and lead guard Jeremy Roach.
Clemson (pre-season: 6) 11-3, 1-2
There isn't another team in the country that has exceeded expectations as much as Clemson has so far. After flaming out last year, the Tigers look ready to compete at the top of the ACC behind star forward PJ Hall and Syracuse transfer Joe Girard III.
Miami (FL) (pre-season: 2) 11-3, 2-1
After a Final Four a season ago, expectations were high for this Miami team. They failed their first two major tests, losing handily at Rupp Arena against Kentucky and against Colorado at the Brooklyn Showcase. Since then, they have somewhat righted the ship with a home win over previously mentioned Clemson. Norchad Omier has stepped up into a lead scorer role with 18.1 ppg while Wooga Poplar has emerged as the secondary scoring option.
Wake Forest (pre-season: 9) 11-4, 3-1
Steve Forbes' team came into the season with medium to low expectations after a poor 22-23 season. They started off this season in similar fashion, leaving the Charleston Classic MTE with a 1-2 record. Since then, they picked up wins over Florida and Rutgers in non-conference play and an impressive win over Miami before recently falling to Boston College on the road. Kevin "Boopie" Miller has emerged as the team's most threatening option, scoring 17.9 ppg up to this point. The jury is still out on whether the Demon Deacons can crack the top tier of the ACC.
Virginia (pre-season: 3) 11-4, 2-2
After a heartbreaking Round of 64 exit a year ago to Furman, Tony Bennett returned only a couple of contributors to his Virginia team. The Cavaliers have not met the high expectations of the program so far, picking up a couple of wins against fringe tournament teams, failing to put away teams in buy games and losing by 15+ on the road 3 separate times, at Memphis, at Notre Dame, and most recently at NC State. So much is falling on the back of Reece Beekman who is averaging 12.9 ppg this year.
Virginia Tech (pre-season: 5) 9-5, 1-2
Virginia Tech have had a tough start to the season, going 1-2 in the ESPN Events Invitational in Orlando, along with a 1-2 start to ACC play. They have a decent atmosphere in Blacksburg and have talented guards Hunter Cattoor (14.4 ppg) and Sean Pedulla (13.4 ppg) who can make enough shots for the Hokies to beat anyone on their day.
NC State (pre-season: 7) 11-3, 3-0
NC State has had a relatively mid start to the season, winning the games they should and taking losses to good teams in BYU, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. They have started off conference play 3-0, so theres at least a chance DJ Horne (14.4 ppg) and the Wolfpack can make the Big Dance.
Syracuse (pre-season: 8) 10-4, 1-2
In Red Autry's first year at the helm, the Orange have been very average, winning games they should and taking losses to quality teams. The star guard pairing of Judah Mintz (19.1 ppg) and JJ Starling (11.6 ppg) might be able to cause some trouble in the middle of the pack in the ACC.
Boston College (pre-season: 11) 10-4, 1-2
Earl Grant's Eagles have failed to make that next step in the ACC and hoped that this was the year. At this point it doesn't seem like that will happen in Chestnut Hill. For any hope of a good season, the Eagles will have to lean on star big-man Quinten Post (18.1 ppg), who very well could be headed for a first-team all conference selection.
Pittsburgh (pre-season: 12) 10-6, 1-4
After saving his job last year by making the NCAA Tournament, Jeff Capel's Pitt Panthers seem to have taken a step back. They don't have any bad losses, but they have gotten beat in almost every game against decent competition. Blake Hinson (18.4 ppg) will have to continue to put up numbers for any kind of sustained success at Pitt.
Georgia Tech (pre-season: 14) 8-7, 1-3
Year 1 for Damon Stoudamire has gotten off to a rocky start. An early loss to UMASS-Lowell put this team behind the 8-ball early. They have taken plenty of losses, but did pick up back-to-back wins over Top 25 teams in Mississippi State and Duke in late Nov / early Dec. Miles Kelly (15.6 ppg) is one of the better guards in the conference, but it could be a tough season in Atlanta.
Florida State (pre-season: 10) 9-6, 3-1
Leonard Hamiton's Seminoles have gotten off to a very rocky start down in Tallahassee. The Noles do have a couple of nice wins, notably against Colorado and Wake Forest, but they have suffered a number of tough losses, notably against Lipscomb at home. It seems like it may be Hamilton's last year at the helm.
Notre Dame (pre-season: 13) 7-9, 2-3
Year 1 for Micah Shrewberry was always going to be difficult, but it is reasonable to expect a little more out of ND basketball. They have lost many games that they should have won and have been handled in many of their games against quality competition. With only one scorer in double digits (Markus Burton) (15.9 ppg), getting the ball in the basket will be quite a challenge for the Fighting Irish.
Louisville (pre-season: 15) 5-9, 0-3
It can't possibly be as bad as last year for Louisville basketball, right? WRONG
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