ACC Basketball Rankings, Feb. 8-15: Maryland Terrapins Moving Upward

Quietly the Maryland Terrapins have been playing solid basketball for weeks. Now it's time to take notice. Gary William's Terps humiliated North Carolina in College Park Sunday. They look like the one team that could really threaten Duke in the ACC.

There are as many as eight ACC teams that are still legitimately in fighting for anywhere from 5-7 NCAA bid. It's to early say how many bids the ACC will get, but I'm thinking six at the moment.

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1) Duke Blue Devils (19-4, 7-2): Last week - 1
It was a good week for the Duke Blue Devils. They beat Georgia Tech by 19 at home, and then went on the road to beat Boston College. Kyle Singler had 30 in the win over the Jackets and looked to fiinally have regained his shot. Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith are playing rock solid. Inside the Blue Devils are shaky, but Singler can be the X-factor. Big week upcoming for Duke; Wednesday they play at North Carolina then they host Maryland on Saturday.

2) Maryland Terrapins (16-6, 6-2): Last week 7
The 21 point win over North Carolina really didn't open my eyes. Everyone is beating the Heels these days. The 71-67 win over Florida State did catch my attention. Road wins are tough enough to come by in the ACC, and the Terps got one over a solid Seminole team. Gary Williams has coached this squad into the ACC's best shooting team, averaging over 80 points a game. A home game against Virginia is Wednesday. Then there is the monster game at Duke. Williams had success in Cameron the early part of this decade. Can he win there again?

3) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (16-5, 6-3): Last week - 6
Just how good are the Demon Deacons, and how good can they be? The Deacs had a couple nice wins this week. They beat Miami 62-53 then picked up a really good win at Virginia in overtime. With two home games this week—Boston College on Tuesday and Georgia Tech on Saturday—the Deacs have an opportunity to make a real push into the top of the ACC race.

4) Florida State Seminoles (17-6, 5-4): Last week - 2
I think this week proved the 'Noles are a good team, but that there is still room for improvement. They beat Miami 71-65 but lost at home to Maryland 71-67. The Seminoles and Georgia Tech are very similar teams. They even have the exact same record. Both are athletic and talented teams that I don't believe play often enough to their potential. They have a road game at Clemson Wednesday then Boston College at home Sunday.

5) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (17-6, 5-4): Last week - 3
Georgia Tech did not play well this week. The defense against Duke was non-existent. Duke's Kyle Singler looked like he was in a gym practicing three pointers he was so wide open most of the game. Against NC State the Jackets nearly blew a 16 point lead with five minutes left in what would have been a disastrous home loss. Georgia Tech barely squeaked by the Pack 73-71. With two road games—Wednesday at Miami then Saturday at against Wake Forest—the Jackets must win at least one.

6) Virginia Cavaliers (14-7, 5-3): Last week 4
Virginia is my surprise team in the ACC so far this year, but the 64-61 OT home loss to Wake Forest is going to hurt. This is a critical week for the Cavaliers. With such a low RPI (No. 94) and a lack of quality non-conference wins, the Cavs have to finish above .500 in the ACC. A road game at Maryland is on Wednesday. Saturday is a road game at Virginia Tech. Stealing one is a must for the Cavaliers, but it won't be easy.

7) Virgina Tech Hokies(18-4, 5-3): Last week - 8
Virginia Tech might be the only 18-4 team in the country that you are not sure about. Sure Malcolm Delany and Jeff Allen are great, but the Hokies remind me of where Maryland was two weeks ago. They are playing well, but are they tournament worthy? Maryland is proving they are, but what about the Hokies? If they are they should beat NC State even on the road Feb. 10, and Virginia at home Feb. 13.

8) Clemson Tigers (16-7, 4-5): Last week - 5
The Tigers got Demontez Stitt back at guard for their game against Virginia Tech. He still didn't look 100 percent, and he scored only three points in the 70-59 loss. With two home games—Wednesday against Florida State then Saturday with Miami—Clemson needs to win both to feel secure again about an at large NCAA bid. Trevor Booker can't carry this team alone, and if others don't step up, the Tigers are in trouble.

9) Boston College Eagles (12-11, 3-6): Last week 9
There is no quit in Boston College which I like, but there is just isn't alot talent for Al Skinner to work with. They gave Duke a scare late, but lost 66-63 in their only game this week. They have two tough road games this week, at Wake Forest Wednesday then at Florida State Sunday. The Eagles have to stay above .500 to have a shot at any postseason tournament.

10) Miami Hurricanes (16-7, 2-7): Last week - 10
Miami lost both of their games this week, a nine point loss at Wake Forest and six point loss at Florida State, which dropped Miami to 2-7 in the ACC. They'll be relegated to the roll of spoiler the rest of way barring a miracle turnaround. They are perfectly capable of beating Georgia Tech at home Wednesday and even beating a hobbled Clemson team on the road Saturday. I don't think they'll win both, but a 1-1 week wouldn't surprise me at all.

11) North Carolina Tar Heels (13-10, 2-6): Last week - 11
What can you say about the Tar Heels that's hasn't already been said? They played ok at Virginia Tech and lost by four, but they quit at Maryland. Once they got down 8-10 points in the second half to the Terps, they got steamrolled.

I don't think Roy Williams can even save this team. He actually might be part of the problem. The Heels want to run every possession, but hey Roy, Ty Lawson isn't back there any more. Duke comes to Chapel Hill on Wednesday and NC State visits the Dean Dome on Saturday. Is there any chance they can win both as one last great gasp on the season?

12) North Carolina State Wolfpack (14-10, 2-7): Last week 12
It was just more bad luck for the Wolfpack last week. They nearly came back from a 16 point deficit at Georgia Tech but missed on a desperation three that would have won the game. They played poorly at Virginia and lost 59-47. I still feel like the Wolfpack have an upset or two just waiting to happen. They get Virginia Tech at home Wednesday then head to North Carolina Saturday, where the loser will fill the bottom spot on this list next week.