ACC Basketball: Five Thoughts, Power Rankings and Predictions for the Week

Five Thoughts on the Weekend Action:

1. Not a good day for Duke or the ACC on Saturday when one of the best, if not the best, team in the league goes down to the third or fourth best team in the Big East.

2. Maryland had a chance to assert themselves as one of the top contenders for the ACC title, but lost to Clemson Sunday. Now the Terps are right back into the middle heap of six or seven teams that could win this league.

3. And speaking of the heap, Sports Illustrated lists just one ACC team as a lock for the Tournament right now, Duke. I have to agree with that for now, but we all know this league will get at least five bids and maybe eight.

4. Georgia Tech has a very good chance to assert themselves as a top four seed candidate if they can sweep Duke this Thursday. The Yellow Jackets may be the most talented team in the ACC this season.

5. So, I was way off on North Carolina . 8-8 may be a pipe dream right now. If Roy gets these guys to the NCAA Tournament, it may be his best coaching job yet.


ACC Power "Rankings"

1. Duke
2. Florida State
3. Maryland
4. Georgia Tech
5. Virginia Tech
6. Virginia
7. Clemson
8. Wake Forest
9. Boston College
10. North Carolina
11. NC State
12. Miami

That was difficult. I think Duke is the best. Miami the worst. And everyone else is just throwing darts.

Predictions

Tuesday
Wake Forest over Miami

Wednesday
Virginia over NC State

Thursday
Duke over Georgia Tech
FSU over Maryland
Virginia Tech over North Carolina