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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; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) drives to the basket past Pittsburgh Panthers forward Sheldon Jeter (21) during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) drives to the basket past Pittsburgh Panthers forward Sheldon Jeter (21) during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
5

Syracuse Orange

Last week: 2-2
Last rank: N/A

After disappointing in the non-conference portion of their schedule, the Orange appeared to be back on track in ACC play. Despite dropping their first game to lowly Boston College, they followed by putting up double-digit wins over both Miami and Pitt. Jim Boeheim shortened his rotation and it appeared to pay dividends as Cuse played some of their best ball of the season. The short rotation did them no favors in dropping a road game to Virginia Tech last night and for now, it appears their momentum has been halted. One can only imagine how the heavier load for their best players will affect the Orange going forward, so it remains to be seen whether that is a short-lived experiment. They host Boston College this week in a chance to get revenge on the Eagles, then travel to Chapel Hill to take on UNC. A win over Boston College would be a good confidence boost for the Orange as UNC is one of the tougher places in the country to come out with a win.

4

Miami Hurricanes

Last week: 1-1
Last rank: N/A

The Hurricanes have only played two games thus far, splitting the pair with NC State and Syracuse. An 18-point win over NC State was a good result as they limited Dennis Smith Jr.’s impact and let Jaquan Newton carry them to victory with 21 points. Davon Reed chipped in 20 of his own, and with the Hurricanes trotting out two dynamic threats like that every night, beating them is a daunting task. If the two don’t come to play, however, Jim Larranega’s squad is much more pedestrian. It showed against Syracuse as they combined to shoot 5-23 from the field and lost by 15 points. They’ll need that pair to be much more consistent if Miami wants to be able to take down the giants that loom on their schedule. The Canes have the opportunity to get back in the saddle as they host Notre Dame and travel to Pitt this week. Those two games will help show whether Miami is a legit threat in the ACC or not.