College basketball Week 7: 5 biggest takeaways

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Dec 21, 2016; Columbia, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers guard Gabe DeVoe (10) and Clemson Tigers center Sidy Djitte (50) and Clemson Tigers forward Jaron Blossomgame (5) and Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) and Clemson Tigers guard Avry Holmes (12) against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Clemson won 62-60. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports /

The ACC is loaded, but who’s the fifth best team?

Everyone knows the top of the ACC is stacked. Duke, Louisville, North Carolina and Virginia all rank as top 10 teams in the country, according to KenPom, the Sagarin Ratings and Team Rankings. Just as interesting as the battle for the top, though, is the fight occurring in the middle. Here’s a look at the best of the rest, sorted by KenPom‘s adjusted efficiency margin:

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The most surprising name on that list is Clemson. The Tigers were picked to finish 11th in the conference, according to the league’s preseason poll, but have jumped out to a 9-2 start during non-conference play with five wins over KenPom top 100 teams. Clemson is led by the brute force scoring of 6-foot-7 forward Jaron Blossomgame, a 23-year-old who is averaging 17.1 points per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field. The Tigers also added big man Elijah Thomas as a transfer from Texas A&M last semester. Thomas gives the team additional frontcourt depth that can help alleviate some of the pressure on its highest scoring players.

The fluidity of the ACC amidst difficult conference schedules will make nailing down the league’s fifth best team a difficult task over the course of the season, but so far, Clemson has made a strong case and certainly has put itself in position to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.