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ACC Basketball: Duke falls flat, North Carolina rises in latest power rankings

By Tristan Freeman

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts following a play during the first half of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Dean Smith Center on January 02, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: Caleb Love #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts following a play during the first half of their game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Dean Smith Center on January 02, 2021 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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ACC Basketball Virginia Cavaliers Jay Huff Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
ACC Basketball Virginia Cavaliers Jay Huff Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Florida State Seminoles (10-3, 6-2)

We’ve yet to see the Seminoles play in the month of February, as they’ve been on a “pause”. The good news is that they’re expected back this weekend against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The records for teams coming back from an absence has been mixed, and Wake Forest has played well as of late, so this game could be closer than it originally would.

What also helps Florida State is that they’ll be at home for the first three games back. Once they get their legs back against Wake Forest, they’ll take on both Virginia and Virginia Tech next week in a set of games that’ll likely help decide who wins the ACC regular-season championship.

1. Virginia Cavaliers (14-3, 10-1)

The Cavaliers finally had a setback in conference play, falling by 14 points to rival Virginia Tech. That’s been it, as they have a one-game lead in the ACC standings and are coming off an eight-point win at Georgia Tech, holding them to just 49 points total.

The frontcourt of Jay Huff and Sam Hauser has been on a roll recently, particularly on offense. Guards Kihei Clark and Trey Murphy have been solid recently as well, while the defense continues to be at an elite level.

Next. Latest top-25 power rankings. dark

The last two regular-season champions in the ACC have been Virginia and Florida State. And barring Virginia Tech truly being part of this conversation, it looks like it’ll come down to Monday’s big matchup between the Seminoles and Cavaliers to decide who wins the league.