8. NC State Wolfpack (13–6, NET: 29)
This is the first season for Will Wade at NC State. Earlier this week, Derrion Williams hit a late three-pointer to defeat Clemson, avoiding a two-game losing streak.
The Wolfpack previously lost at home to Georgia Tech but also posted a 113-point road blowout win at Florida State earlier this month. NC State plays at Pittsburgh on Saturday, then hosts Syracuse before traveling to Wake Forest.
7. Miami Hurricanes (15–4, NET: 36)
It has been a tough stretch for Jai Lucas and Miami. The Hurricanes were 15–2 before road and home losses to Clemson and Florida State.
Offensive production dipped during that span, with Miami averaging just 61 points per game. Malik Reneau leads the Hurricanes with 19.6 points per game. Miami travels to Syracuse next before hosting Stanford and California.
6. SMU Mustangs (14–5, NET: 32)
SMU sits just outside the top 30 in the NET rankings. The Mustangs have lost three of their last five games, with defeats coming at Clemson and Duke and at home against Virginia.
Wins during that stretch came at home against Virginia Tech and on the road at Wake Forest. SMU hosts Florida State on Saturday before traveling to Louisville to close January.
5. Louisville Cardinals (13–5, NET: 15)
Pat Kelsey’s team sits 15th in the NET rankings but has dropped three of its last five games. Losses to Stanford, Duke, and Virginia have dampened conference title hopes.
Louisville bounced back with a dominant 41-point win over Pittsburgh. The Cardinals close January against Virginia Tech, Duke, and SMU in a pivotal stretch.
4. North Carolina Tar Heels (15–4, NET: 27)
The West Coast trip was unkind to North Carolina, which lost at Stanford by five and at California by six. The Tar Heels returned home and responded with a 22-point win over Notre Dame.
Caleb Wilson leads the team with 19.8 points per game. North Carolina heads back on the road to face Virginia on Saturday and Georgia Tech the following week.
3. Clemson Tigers (16–4, NET: 30)
Clemson sits second in the ACC at 6–1. The Tigers carried a nine-game winning streak into their matchup with NC State before falling by four.
Defense has been the calling card, with Clemson allowing just 65.3 points per game. RJ Godfrey leads the offense with 12.2 points per game. Clemson plays at Georgia Tech on Saturday before hosting Pittsburgh.
2. Virginia Cavaliers (16–2, NET: 13)
Virginia enters Saturday’s game against North Carolina on a five-game winning streak. The Cavaliers’ lone conference loss came at Virginia Tech earlier this month.
Since then, Virginia has beaten NC State, California, Louisville, and SMU. Thijs De Ridder leads the team with 16.1 points per game. After facing North Carolina, Virginia travels to Notre Dame and Boston College.
1. Duke Blue Devils (17–1, NET: 2)
There is no question who sits atop the ACC. Duke has won six straight games since its lone loss of the season, an 82–81 defeat to Texas Tech.
The Blue Devils’ most recent win was a dominant road victory at Stanford. Duke is home for games against Wake Forest and Louisville before closing January at Virginia Tech.
There is still plenty of time for movement in the ACC standings. Teams can play their way into contention just as quickly as others can fall out, making the second half of the conference season critical in a deep and talented league.
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