ACC Basketball: ACC Basketball Power Rankings for December

Jim Larranaga coaches during the first half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils at the BankUnited Center. (Photo: Robert Mayer, USA TODAY Sports)

No.4 Miami Hurricanes

In all honesty Jim Larranaga should be in the early running for “Coach of the Year” with the outstanding job that he is doing in Miami.

The Hurricanes were thought of to be one of the better teams in the ACC before the season started, but when you look at the teams that they have snuffed out en route to their 8-1 record you have to be impressed.

Blowout wins on the road at Mississippi State and at the No. 16 Utah Utes, followed by a home win over the No. 22 Butler Bulldogs.

Miami Hurricanes

Miami is dead serious this season and will be in the hunt for an ACC Championship with this squad.

Sheldon McClellan has played brilliant basketball to this point leading the Hurricanes in scoring at 16.8 points per contest.

Angel Rodriguez and Ja’Quan Newton have played strong as backcourt mates with Rodriguez dropping 12.9 points and 4.0 assists per contest and Newton chipping in 11.0 points and 3.0 assists of his own.

Lastly, Tonye Jekiri has been the usual defensive anchor that he always is averaging 9.2 points and 10.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

Miami is looking at entering ACC play at 11-1 when it is all said and done with Charleston, LaSalle and Princeton remaining on their non-conference schedule.

If no one else is going to give Jim Larranaga an early nod for “Coach of the Year” we will with no problem.

Next: No. 3 North Carolina Tar Heels