Busting Brackets
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ACC Basketball power rankings: Wake Forest rises, Virginia slides down

By Tristan Freeman

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 22: Jayden Gardner #1 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends Hunter Tyson #5 of the Clemson Tigers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on December 22, 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - DECEMBER 22: Jayden Gardner #1 of the Virginia Cavaliers defends Hunter Tyson #5 of the Clemson Tigers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on December 22, 2021 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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ACC Basketball Isaiah Mucius Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
ACC Basketball Isaiah Mucius Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

3. team. 448. . 11-1 (1-0). . Demon Deacons

It was impressive that Wake Forest took care of business against inferior opponents in the first month of the season but their most impressive feat to date then was losing close to LSU, who is currently unbeaten on the season. However, that changed when they easily beat Virginia Tech on the road to start off league play at 1-0.

The Demon Deacons also benefitted from arguably the most impactful transfer in the country in Alondes Williams. After averaging 6.3 ppg in two years at Oklahoma, the 6’5 guard moved over to the ACC and became a completely different player. He’s averaging a team-leading 21.0 ppg, 6.6 pg, and 4.9 apg on an absurd 58% shooting from the field and a triple-double on the season as well.

His most important performances came recently against VMI and Charlotte, without the Deacons’ second-leading scorer Jake Laravia (14.0 ppg). Wake Forest could’ve lost either game but Williams scored 36 and 34 points respectively to lead them to victory.

This is a team without a bad loss (something most of the ACC can’t say) and has a star player and quality cast of role players around him. Wake Forest has earned a high spot at this moment and has a great chance to continue staying around No. 3 for the foreseeable future, especially if Williams continues to shine at a national level.