ACC basketball: Power Rankings heading into Christmas

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DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 05: Grayson Allen /

2. Miami 9-0 (Last week 2)

The Hurricanes had a noon game to play in D.C. against George Washington, in a game that could’ve been tricky if they slept through. Defensively though the team was wide awake, allowing just 15 first-half points. The top player for the Colonials, Yuta Watanabe, went just 3/12 shooting from the field for nine total points. As a team, GW had 50 total, shooting 30% from the field.

Miami is just one of a few teams with an unblemished record and looks the part of a team that could make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. Only Virginia surrenders less, but the Hurricanes is a better team on the offensive end. This team will be going to Hawaii for the Diamond Classic Tournament, where they can solidify a place on top of the ACC.

1. Duke 11-1 (0-1) (Last week 1)

Beating George Washington is not going to be the catalyst for Miami to jump the Blue Devils in the rankings, but the separation between these two teams are very tiny. The reason for it is experience and defense, two things Duke doesn’t have right now. There’s nothing that can be done in regards to the lack of experience, but defensively there needs to be an improvement.

Next: ACC rankings (Nov. 11-Dec. 11)

Duke’s first game back since the loss will be versus Evansville, a good tune-up before conference play begins. The Blue Devils hold on the top spot for now, but if the defense doesn’t improve this team won’t be number one for long.