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ACC Basketball power rankings: Florida State takes top spot as Duke tumbles

By Michael Walton

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles looks on against the South Florida Bulls during the second half of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at BB&T Center on December 21, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 21: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles looks on against the South Florida Bulls during the second half of the Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at BB&T Center on December 21, 2019 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Chris Lykes #0 of the Miami Hurricanes (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 01: Chris Lykes #0 of the Miami Hurricanes (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

The Miami (FL) Hurricanes were dominated at the Louisville Cardinals and NC State Wolfpack but in between picked up a big win at home over Pittsburgh in between. Guard Kameron McGusty has led the way for the Hurricanes in this recent stretch, which has also included a very close loss to rival Florida State.

The Hurricanes have been carried by a great offense, fueled by their guards. The aforementioned McGusty had 19 points in the win against Pittsburgh and 15 points on 60% shooting in the close loss to the Seminoles. Guard Chris Lykes is also capable of going off for explosive scoring sprees. Lykes had 12 points against Pitt, 20 points against NC State, and 24 points against Florida State. Turnovers have been an issue at times but their perimeter shooting makes them extremely capable of putting up points in a hurry.

The Hurricanes shot 45.8% from the 3-point line in their loss to the Seminoles, which did go to overtime. Miami outrebounded Florida State 41-36 and if not for some truly terrible free throw shooting (58.8%), the Hurricanes would’ve walked away with a big-time win. Instead, Miami sits at 2-5 in the ACC which road games at Duke and North Carolina coming up. Both teams, especially North Carolina, will be hungry for wins.

But the Hurricanes didn’t show any fear against Florida State and with Duke having been vulnerable than usual at Cameron Indoor as of late, everything is set up for Miami to pick up their yearly ACC upset.