ACC Basketball power rankings: Missed opportunities over the weekend

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DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 30: Marvin Bagley III /

Many teams had a great opportunity to get huge wins on the first true day of ACC basketball play. Did any of them take advantage and climb up the rankings?

There were six ACC games on the slate for Saturday (Dec. 30) with another playing on Sunday (Dec. 31). Because there are an odd number of teams, the Louisville Cardinals were the only one not to play a conference game. Instead, they got to play at Kentucky, where they got demolished.

They weren’t the only ones to get a beatdown, as NC State suffered one themselves at the hands of a Clemson team that continues to surprise. The Pittsburgh Panthers were without their best player and a hope to beat a talented Miami team. Virginia Tech struggled to get things going against Syracuse‘s zone as well.

But the other games could’ve gone either way. After a disappointing non-conference, Wake Forest had a chance to beat North Carolina on the road before a deadly floater from Joel Berry silenced the Demon Deacons. A pair of Jeromes duked it out in a slug-fest between Virginia and Boston College, but the Cavaliers survived at home.

Georgia Tech had a shot to win over Notre Dame, but ultimately missed too many of their own in the defeat.

But the game of the day concerning the ACC had to be the Duke–Florida State game. I’m not sure how much better the Seminoles could’ve played, especially on the offensive end with two players each having career-highs. But the Blue Devils were too much inside, reaching the century mark in the win, 100-93.

Because most teams played just one game this week, there’s no need to go too in-depth at these results. But next week will really get things going in this league, and these rankings show where everyone stands coming into it.