College Basketball

ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Week 4

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:58 p.m. ET

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The ACC continues to reign supreme amongst all other conferences. With so much talent, how does that affect this week’s power rankings?

In case you haven’t heard, the ACC is loaded.

I think I have said this once or twice before, but I will say it again, it is absolutely loaded.

In both the recent AP and Coaches poll, there are six ACC teams in the top 25. The next closest is the Big East with four.

In Joe Lundardi’s latest Bracketology, The ACC has ten teams in the field, the next closest is the Big Ten with eight. Five of those teams are four seeds or higher. No other conference has more than three such seeds.

Additionally the ACC has ten teams ranked in the top 50 of RPI and 11 ranked in the top 50 of BPI. Again in other words, this conference is loaded.

Speaking of those two rankings, this week’s rankings will have a BPRI ranking included which is the average of the two. It will also mentions a teams strength of record (SOR) which shows how the current teams record is compared to an average team playing that same schedule.

Of course, those are just metrics. When push comes to shove wins and losses still count for something and who you beat still has meaning.

With all that in mind, let’s delve into this week’s rankings where for the fourth consecutive week, we have a new team gracing the bottom.

Note: all records and stats are as of 1/22/2017

Teams 11-15

15

Clemson Tigers

(11-8, 1-6)

Last week: Lost 82-81 to Virginia TechLast rank: 11th

Clemson finds themselves at the bottom this week after recording their ACC leading sixth loss of the season on Sunday evening. Against Virginia Tech, the team shot 48.4 percent from the field. Leading scorer Jaron Blossomgame did have 20 points for the Tigers. Clemson’s BPRI of 41 ranks ninth in the conference, while their SOR ranks 11th. The Tigers next game is Saturday at Pittsburgh.

Jan 14, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Damon Wilson (3) shoots a free throw against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Miami won 72-46. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Panthers

(12-7, 1-5)

Last week: Lost 79-74 to NC StateLast rank: 12th

Like Clemson, Pittsburgh finds themselves at the bottom with only one conference win so far this season. Against NC State, the team shot 46.3 percent from the field, better than the Wolfpack, but still lost. Leading scoring duo Michael Young and James Artis did combine for 41 points for the Panthers. Pittsburgh’s BPRI of 48 ranks 10th in the conference, while their SOR ranks 10th as well. The Panthers next game is Tuesday against Louisville.

Jan 21, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Brandon Childress (0) defends during the second half at PNC Arena. The Demon Deacons won 93-88. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

NC State Wolfpack

(13-7, 2-5)

Last week: Lost 93-88 to Wake ForestLast rank: 15th

NC State moves up two spots by splitting their two home games this week. Against Wake Forest, the team shot 51.6 percent from the field. Leading scorer Dennis Smith Jr. did have a double-double with 15 points and 13 assists for the Wolfpack. NC State’s BPRI of 64.5 ranks 12th in the conference, while their SOR ranks 13th.

Jan 21, 2017; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles guard Ky Bowman (0) during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Silvio O. Conte Forum. The North Carolina Tar Heels won 90-82. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Boston College Eagles

(9-11, 2-5)

Last week: Lost 90-82 to North CarolinaLast rank: 13th

Boston College also moves up this week despite suffering their third straight loss in a close one against North Carolina. They do have a win against NC State, which does help distinguish the two struggling squads. Against the Tar Heels, the team shot 47.1 percent from the field, one point better than UNC. Leading scorer Jerome Robinson finished with 18 points for the Eagles, though the real hero was Ky Bowman who had 33 points hitting more threes than the entire North Carolina team. Boston College’s BPRI of 165 ranks 15th in the conference, as does their SOR. The Eagles next game is Wednesday at Miami.

Jan 12, 2017; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes guard Davon Reed (5) reacts after making a basket against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at Watsco Center. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeat the Miami Hurricanes 67-62. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Hurricanes

(2-4, 12-6)

Last week: Lost 70-58 to DukeLast rank: 6th

Teams 7-10

10

Syracuse Orange

(11-9, 3-4)

Last week: Lost 84-66 to Notre DameLast rank: 7th

Syracuse finds themselves dropping this week after going 0-2 on the road. Against Notre Dame, the team shot 41.8 percent from the field. Leading scorer Andrew White did have 16 points for the Orange, though it was the double double from Tyler Lydon that led the way. Syrcause’s BPRI of 77 ranks 13th in the conference, while their SOR ranks 14th. The Orange’s next game is Tuesday against Pittsburgh.

Jan 18, 2017; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) celebrate with guard Bryant Crawford (13) in the second half against Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Wake defeated Miami 96-79. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

(12-7, 3-4)

Last week: Won 93-88 against NC StateLast rank: 14th

Wake Forest makes a five spot jump this week by going 2-0 including getting their first ACC road win since Jan 22, 2014, almost three years to the day. Against NC State, the team shot 42.6 percent from the field, a whole nine points fewer than the Wolfpack. Leading scorer John Collins did have 21 points and 9 rebounds for the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest’s BPRI of 31 ranks seventh in the conference, while their SOR ranks eighth. The Demon Deacons next game is Tuesday at Syracuse.

Jan 21, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets forward Quinton Stephens (12) dribbles the ball around Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) during the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 62-49. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

(11-8, 3-4)

Last week: Lost 62-49 to VirginiaLast rank: 10th

Georgia Tech moves up two spots this week despite going 0-2 and blowing a big chance to get a road win against Virginia Tech. Against Virginia, the team shot 45.2 percent from the field. Leading scorer Josh Okogie did have 14 points for the Yellow Jackets, who continue to play better than their talent suggests. Georgia Tech’s BPRI of 102 ranks 14th in the conference, while their SOR ranks 12th. The Yellow Jackets next game is Wednesday against Florida State.

Jan 21, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Amile Jefferson (21) reacts after a Blue Devil basket in the second half of their game against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Blue Devils

(15-4, 3-3)

Last week: Won 70-58 against MiamiLast rank: 9th

Teams 4-6

Jan 14, 2017; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies forward Zach LeDay (32) defends Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Rex Pflueger (0) in the second half at Cassell Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia Tech Hokies

(15-4, 4-3)

Last week: Won 82-81 against ClemsonLast rank: 8th

Virginia Tech moves up a tier this week thanks to two wins by a total of two points. Against Clemson, the team shot 54.7 percent from the field. Leading scorer Zack LeDay did have 16 points coming off the bench for the Hokies. Virginia Tech’s BPRI of 40.5 ranks eighth in the conference, while their SOR ranks seventh. The Hokies next game is Thursday at North Carolina.

5

Louisville Cardinals

(16-4, 4-3)

Last week: Lost 73-68 to Florida StateLast rank: 5th

Louisville finds themselves staying put this week after splitting their conference games this week. Against Florida State, the team shot 38.5 percent from the field and fought back from an early 14-0 hole. Leading scorer Donovan Mitchell was held to only 6 points on 2 of 10 shooting for the Cardinals. Louisville’s BPRI of 7.5 ranks second in the conference, while their SOR ranks fourth. The Cardinals next game is Tuesday at Pittsburgh.

4

Virginia Cavaliers

(15-3, 5-2)

Last week: Won 62-49 against Georgia TechLast rank: 4th

Teams 2-3

3

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

(17-3, 6-1)

Last week: Won 84-66 against Syracuse Last rank: 1st

Notre Dame drops two spots this week after splitting their conference games. Against Syracuse, the team shot 49.2 percent from the field. Leading scorer Bonzie Colston did have a double double with 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame’s BPRI of 16.5 ranks sixth in the conference, while their SOR ranks second. The Fighting Irish’s next game is Tuesday against Virginia.

Jan 21, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State Seminoles

(18-2, 6-1)

Last week: Won 73-68 against LouisvilleLast rank: 3rd

Team 1

Jan 21, 2017; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) controls the ball during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Silvio O. Conte Forum. The North Carolina Tar Heels won 90-82. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina Tar Heels

(18-3, 6-1)

Last week: Won 90-82 against Boston CollegeLast rank: 2nd

Well that does it for this week’s of rankings. With so much talent there is still plenty of amazing basketball left. Who will rank number one next week will have a lot to do with what teams do this week and half the league still could finish the year number one in the conference.

What did you think of this week’s rankings? Let us know in the comments below.

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