ACC Basketball power rankings: Miami soars while Georgia Tech declines

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ACC Basketball Pittsburgh Panthers forward John Hugley Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Boston College Eagles – 6-7 (1-2)

After having to sit on the 26-point beatdown to North Carolina for seven days, the Eagles traveled to Pittsburgh to take on the worst team in the ACC, who also just lost a rotation player in Ithiel Horton after getting suspended. However, despite a 9-point lead in the first half, Boston College could not contain John Hugley and ultimately lost to the Panthers by a couple of points.

Makai Ashton-Langford had a season-high 23 points but it wasn’t enough for Boston College. But while they still have that 17-point win against Notre Dame to hang onto, they now have lost four straight games that include defeats to Albany and Pittsburgh. And after falling to the Panthers, the question has to be asked if whether or not they’ll be favored outside of home against Pittsburgh on the 29th.

13. Pittsburgh Panthers – 6-9 (1-3)

It’s been a whirlwind week for the Panthers program and junior guard Ithiel Horton. He’s been suspended all season due to an arrest on an assault charge against a police officer before the season started. Charges were dropped, allowing him to play against Louisville in a close loss, scoring 13 points off the bench. However, charges were refilled, keeping him out of the program once again indefinitely.

Horton didn’t play against Boston College at home but that was fine since John Hugley had a career-high afternoon, going for 32 points and 13 rebounds including 15/20 shooting from the free throw line. The Panthers got the 69-67 victory over the Eagles to get its first win of ACC Basketball play.

Without Horton, Pittsburgh could very well be the worst team talent-wise but their close losses have shown that they won’t be a pushover. Matchups against Syracuse and Louisville are next for the team.