ACC Basketball: Clemson rises, Syracuse, UNC, and Miami falls in latest power ranking

ACC Basketball faced the SEC in 16 separate matchups, which was a rough challenge. In the end, only Clemson and Duke won, with the other 14 participants losing. In fact, several of them were blown out. The conference has faced its ups and downs in the season's first month. 

Here's a current snapshot of the conference before the start of ACC league play on Saturday.

18. Virginia Tech Hokies - 3-5

When projected starting guard Hysier Miller was dismissed before the start of the season, it felt like a kill shot to any hope of the Hokies competing this season. After winning their first three games, Virginia Tech has since lost five straight games, not scoring more than 64 points.

While four of the five opponents are high-majors, the 74-64 home defeat to Jacksonville can’t be explained. Forwards Toibu Lawal and Mylyjael Poteat (11.4 ppg) have been solid frontcourt starters, but the guard play is the worst in the ACC. They host Pittsburgh in the first league game but look for them to be clear underdogs.

17. Miami Hurricanes - 3-5

Talent-wise, Miami should be in the top 5 of the conference. But their production has been awful, particularly on the defensive end. They got swept in the Charleston Classic and followed that up with an embarrassing home loss to Charleston Southern, a sub-300 team per kenpom.

The Hurricanes were more competitive in the recent loss to Arkansas, and with senior guard Nijel Pack healthy, the hope is that they can get back into form for the rest of the season. But forward Matthew Cleveland and 5-star freshman Jalil Bethea will have to do more for them going forward.