ACC basketball: Power Rankings heading into Christmas

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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 05: Tyus Battle /

10. Clemson 9-1 (Last week 12)

I wasn’t ready to give this team credit yet due to their lackluster wins, but this week over a floundering, yet talented Florida Gators team gave them a boost. Despite trailing for much of the game, the Tigers pulled out the win at the end.

Marcquise Reed was the most valuable player of the game, scoring a game-high 22 points while contributing five rebounds and six assists. His ability to penetrate the defense and get to the line was on display as he went 9/11 from the free throw line. Gabe DeVoe chipped in 19 points while hitting three of the team’s five long balls of the game.

Up next is another SEC team, this time state rival South Carolina, a rematch of last year’s two-point win by Clemson. The Gamecocks will surely want some revenge.

9. Syracuse 9-1 (Last week 8)

The first half of the road game against Georgetown was reminiscent of an old-school Big East kind of game. Of course, the missed layups and bricks thrown were a big part of the 28-24 Hoya lead, but don’t let that get in the way of a good story.

The offense for the Orange picked up after the first 20 minutes, scoring 62 points in the second half/OT to win the game 86-79 in extra time. The two players who played all 45 minutes for Syracuse were the most vital with Tyus Battle dropping 29 points, to go with Oshae Brissett scoring 25 points (24 after the first half), and 14 rebounds. Between the two of them 10 three-pointers were made.

It’ll be awhile before the true value of the win is determined, with Georgetown playing an abysmal early schedule. But a road win is a road win. The Orange will now get to stay home for a couple of mid-major teams from the region coming up this week.