ACC Basketball power rankings: Florida State rises, Louisville dives down

ACC Basketball power rankings: Florida State rises, Louisville dives downward

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA - JANUARY 22: Kameron McGusty #23 of the Miami Hurricanes drives to the basket against Matthew Cleveland #35 of the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Watsco Center on January 22, 2022 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

3 of 15

ACC Basketball Virginia Tech Hokies guard Hunter Cattoor Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

10-9 (2-6). . Hokies . 13. team. 447.

After opening conference play with four straight losses, the Hokies were getting some momentum with a pair of wins over Notre Dame and NC State. In the upset win over the Irish, Justyn Mutts had 24 points, while Nahiem Alleyne had 22. Those two combined for 17/21 from the field in the victory. And in the 62-59 close win over the Wolfpack, Virginia Tech’s defense held them to just 41% from the field and 8/27 from three-point range.

But the win streak was halted on the road at Boston College, falling 68-63 in a massive setback for its at-large resume. Leading scorer Keve Aluma had 21 points and eight rebounds to lead the team but a lack of support helped give the game away.

The three-game road trip ended with a 10-point loss to North Carolina on Monday. Aluma and Mutts combined for 37 points and 10 rebounds but they couldn’t stop the Tar Heels on the boards or from making three-pointers.

Despite a record close to .500 overall and near the bottom in the conference standings, projected Bracketology still has hope for the Hokies. But that could easily fade, with looming matchups against Miami and Florida State coming up. If they go 0-2 in the next week, the odds of making the NCAA Tournament will get very slim for Virginia Tech.