ACC Basketball power rankings: Clemson, NC State and Syracuse rises

ACC Basketball power rankings: Clemson, NC State and Syracuse climb up

Nov 24, 2022; Portland, Oregon, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Kyle Filipowski (30) reacts after scoring a three point basket during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Duke won the game 54-51. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

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Louisville guard El Ellis JJ Traynor ACC Basketball El Ellis Jj Traynor /

With seven games played by each ACC Basketball team in league play (Virginia Tech has 6), we have a decent sample size when observing where everyone stands in a power ranking. Of course, with the standings still very jumbled at both the top and the bottom of the league, I’ll have to give my opinion on who is currently better than who at the moment.

Here’s my latest power ranking for the league, from the bottom to the top.

15. Louisville Cardinals – 2-16 (0-7)

The Cardinals are will winless in the ACC but the good news is that they’re getting closer. After the last-second loss to Syracuse, the team was competitive against both Wake Forest and Clemson for most of the game. They even had an early lead on North Carolina but eventually were blown out in the second half.

El Ellis remains the star of the team and the lone double-digit scorer on the season but another Louisville player has emerged in league play. Freshman guard/wing Michael James is averaging 13.7 ppg and 4.3 rpg in the ACC, including averaging 16.5 ppg in the three-game stretch where the team was most competitive.

If James can become a consistent double-digit scorer to help Ellis in the backcourt, the Cardinals will have a real shot to at least get one win in ACC Basketball play. The next opportunities are winnable, with Pittsburgh, Boston College, Georgia Tech, and Notre Dame the next four games up.