1. Virginia Cavaliers (9-0)
Last rank: 1st (↔)
The Virginia Cavaliers are the only undefeated team left in the ACC and one of nine undefeated teams left in college basketball. The Cavaliers survived a close one against the VCU Rams, a familiar in-state mid-major squad, 57-49, this past Saturday.
With a road game against the South Carolina Gamecocks and two more home games against the William & Mary Tribe and Marshall Thundering Herd on their non-conference schedule, they have a chance to enter ACC play with an undefeated record.
Their backcourt took a hit with the loss of freshman guard Kihei Clark, who will be out indefinitely with a wrist injury. Clark has been an unsung hero on defense for Virginia this season while averaging 5.8 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.
De’Andre Hunter continues to be the Cavaliers best player, putting up 15.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest. He’s shooting 45.5 percent from 3-point range in 2018-19.
Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy are also shooting over 40 percent from behind the arc. Jerome is producing 13.7 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game while shooting 43.1 percent from 3-point land. Guy is putting up 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game on 40.7 percent shooting from behind the arc. With a trio of seasoned veterans hungry for another ACC crown, there’s reason to believe Virginia can once again repeat as ACC champions in 2018-19.