ACC Basketball Power Rankings: UVA back on top, Hokies back in Top 5

ACC Basketball Power Rankings: UVA back on top, Hokies back in top 5

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 27: Mamadi Diakite #25 and the Virginia Cavaliers bench cheers in the second half during a game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

14 of 16

Photo by Lauren Rakes/Getty Images /

3. Duke Blue Devils (24-4) (12-3 ACC)

Last rank: 1st (↓2)

The Duke Blue Devils took their third loss in ACC play and fourth overall on Wednesday night to put them out of contention for the regular season title, for now. The Blue Devils took their third loss in a row in Cassell Coliseum against the Virginia Tech Hokies 77-72, despite a back-and-forth battle until the end.

Duke is clearly a much different team without Zion Williamson and it showed on Wednesday night, as they turned the ball over 12 times and only outrebounded the Hokies 29-28. It’s unclear when Williamson will return, but until then, they’ll need to play with what they’ve got.

Playing Barrett at the point guard may be on the agenda until Williamson returns. He’s already put up a triple-double once already with 10 assists against the NC State Wolfpack on Feb. 16. He had five assists in their loss against the Hokies.

The point of attack will definitely need to change, though there’s room to experiment slightly this week. On Saturday afternoon, they’ll host Miami then on Monday night, they’ll host Wake Forest.