Busting Brackets
Fansided

ACC basketball: Power ranking the league down the stretch

By Michael Walton

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - January 31: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on January 31, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - January 31: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts to a call in the first half during a game against the Louisville Cardinals at John Paul Jones Arena on January 31, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 16
Next
CHAPEL HILL, NC – JANUARY 27: Joel Berry II
CHAPEL HILL, NC – JANUARY 27: Joel Berry II /

Last week: Win 74-70 at Syracuse – Win 90-84 at Wake Forest 

NC State has had a rough month. After beating Notre Dame they loss two games in a row at Virgina Tech and at home against UNC. Those resume building victories would’ve helped end any doubt that they are a team ready for the Big Dance. Instead both teams shot over 55 percent from the field against the Wolfpack.

Their recent road victory over Syracuse showed the potential of Markell Johnson. The sophomore out of Cleveland hit the game-winning 3-pointer to beat the Orange. His 20-point outing in a win against North Carolina in late January shows that Johnson is likely to shine in big moments.

Their adjusted offensive rating of 115.44 (points per 100 possessions) is sixth in the ACC. Because of their ability to score efficiently, they can overpower lesser squads. But Florida State and Louisville will present very different problems in two of NC State’s tough last four conference games.

This week: Tuesday vs Boston College (H)