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College Basketball ACC Power Rankings: Week 10

By Charlie Maikis

Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) defends in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) defends in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Seminoles won 60-58. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino talks with guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and others in the second half of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. The Cardinals won 65-50. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino talks with guard Donovan Mitchell (45) and others in the second half of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. The Cardinals won 65-50. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
9

Louisville Cardinals

Last week: 1-2
Last rank: N/A

After impressing in non-conference play with wins over Purdue, Kentucky, and Indiana, the Cardinals have disappointed a bit in conference play. While their losses are to fellow powerhouses Virginia and Notre Dame, if they want to be in the top tier of the country they need to find a way to pull out wins in those situations. While the loss to Virginia was never really very close, the game against Notre Dame was within one possession in the final minute and was closer than the final score indicated. Their lone win came against a weak Georgia Tech team, and it probably wasn’t in as convincing fashion as they would have liked. They started out strong going up 16-3 just five minutes into the game, but failed to pull away much more, winning by 15. They start out this week by hosting Pitt on Wednesday night, then play Duke this weekend. Playing Duke gives them the opportunity to get a marquee ACC win on the ledger, and hosting them at the KFC Yum! Center gives them a big advantage.

8

Clemson Tigers

Last week: 1-2
Last rank: N/A

The Tigers started out their ACC slate with a comeback win at Wake Forest, garnering them a few votes in the AP Poll. They closed the game on a 15-0 run and came away with a good road win. After dropping their next two to ranked opponents UNC (in overtime) and Notre Dame, however, the outlook isn’t as bright. Brad Brownell’s team had the opportunity to win both games, but missed free throws and rough defending down the stretch did them in. Still, even in losses Clemson can take away the fact that they can compete with the top tier of teams and they’ll need that thought going forward in the stacked ACC. While their week starts with a beatable Georgia Tech team, they then host Virginia this weekend in a game that they would love to win. Getting the Hoos in the newly renovated Littlejohn Coliseum will help, but it is still a tall task to take them down.