ACC Basketball Rankings, Jan 4-Jan 11: Duke and UNC are No. 1 and 2

For the second week in a row NC State lost on a last second shot. This was simply unbelievable. The Florida Gators hit a shot from beyond half court with no time left to win it. WOW. Clemson and Duke have the first marquee ACC game of the year, and Duke takes it 74-53.

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1) Duke Blue Devils (12-1, 1-0) Last week—1

The Blue Devils just keep moving right along. During the past week the Blue Devils beat Long Beach St., Penn, and Clemson. The Blue Devils looked especially strong at home against Clemson in a game that was never in doubt. Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith, Jon Scheyer are giving the Blue Devils quality scoring and efficient play. This week Duke goes on the road to Iowa St. and Georgia Tech.

2) North Carolina Tar Heels (11-3, 0-0) Last week—2

Roy Williams wasn't happy with the Tar Heels 87-70 win over Albany last week in the Heels only game. North Carolina was outscored 23-2 in the final 7 1/2 minutes of the game. Marcus Ginyard missed his second straight game and may not play again until North Carolina's game with Virginia Tech on Jan. 10.

3) Florida State Seminoles (12-2, 1-0) Last week—4

The Seminoles only had one game this week. It was against Alabama A&M in a game the 'Noles won 81-34. You wouldn't think this week's opponent Texas A&M-CC would be much of a test, but they pushed Texas. The 'Noles also have a road game at Maryland on Jan. 10.

4) Clemson Tigers (12-3, 0-1) Last week—3

You can't knock Clemson too much for losing at Duke, but what I don't like is that the Tigers were never in the game. That was after a big-time struggle with SC State in a 70-67 home win. The Tigers aren't playing their best basketball right now. They get Boston College in an early must-win home game. The Tigers only shot 17 percent from the three-point range against Duke. That has to improve.

5) Virgina Tech Hokies (12-1, 0-0) Last week—5

The Hokies beat a decent Seton Hall team 103-94 in OT without Malcom Delaney. Now that's impressive. Guard Dorendo Hudson scored 41 points in the victory. The Hokies also beat Longwood 85-50 in their other game last week. Next for the Hokies is a game Jan. 10 at North Carolina. I'm sold on the Hokies though. They are going to be a tough out in the ACC all year.

6) Miami Hurricanes (14-1, 0-1) Last week—6

Miami has done exactly what they needed to do with a soft pre-conference schedule, and that's go 14-1. The 'Canes easily beat Bethune-Cookman and Pepperdine this past week. Miami gets a major step up in competition when Wake Forest comes to Miami on Jan. 9.

7) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (11-2, 1-0) Last week—7

The Deacs picked up two wins this week; a 74-68 win over a Richmond and 96-92 double OT win over Xavier. The Xavier win will look good come March. Ismael Smith scored a career-high 28 against Xavier.

8) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (11-2, 0-1) Last week—8

The Jackets' defense will keep them in a lot of games. They won a nice nonconference game at UNC-Charlotte 76-67 and also beat Winston Salem St 78-43. I'm not sold on this team yet. Ask me again if they beat UGA in Athens and Duke in Atlanta. They go 2-0 this week and I'll be on board.

9) Maryland Terrapins (9-4, 0-0) Last week—9

The Terps won Sunday 97-63 over UNC-Greensboro, but lost to William & Mary at home. William & Mary is a pretty good team (just ask Wake Forest), but that's not a good loss for the Terps. The Terps are one of the worst rebounding teams in the ACC. They get a tough Florida State team at home on Jan. 10.

10) North Carolina State Wolfpack (10-4, 0-1) Last week—11

How many last-second games can a team lose? Two weeks ago it was a last-second loss to Arizona, and then a stunning last-second defeat at the hands of the Florida Gators on a 70-foot miracle three-pointer. I think the Wolfpack are a dangerous team if they can recover from these recent tough games. Two home games with Holy Cross and Virginia provide a chance to get better.

11) Virginia Cavaliers (7-4, 0-0) Last week—12

The Cavaliers picked up a nice win this week. They beat a good UAB team, 72-63, giving hope for this season. It's a good little three-game winning streak the Cavs are on now. UT-Pan American and NC State are next.

12) Boston College Eagles (9-5, 1-0) Last week—10

The ACC's most schizophrenic team just continues its maddening play and it has to drive coach Al Skinner crazy. This time the Eagles lost to Maine at home 52-51. Boston College is dead last in the ACC in FG defense. N.J. Tech and then Clemson are on this week's schedule.