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College Basketball ACC Power Rankings: Week 13

By Charlie Maikis

Jan 21, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard London Perrantes (32) dribbles the ball as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Josh Heath (11) defends during the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 62-49. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard London Perrantes (32) dribbles the ball as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Josh Heath (11) defends during the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 62-49. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket past Pitt Panthers guard Jamel Artis (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket past Pitt Panthers guard Jamel Artis (1) during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /
11

North Carolina State Wolfpack

Last week: 14-8, 3-6 ACC
Last rank: 6

Coming off a big win at Duke, the Pack got spanked by a red-hot Louisville team in their only game this week. Starting with their star point guard Dennis Smith Jr., they just couldn’t get anything against the Cards’ elite defense, shooting 37.5 percent from the field. On the bright side of things, Smith was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the nation’s best point guard. In a year stacked at the position such as this, that’s an impressive feat.

Another positive Coach Mark Gottfried can give to his team is that Abdul Malik-Abu and Maverick Rowan were tied as the team’s leading scorers against Louisville. If NC State wants to make a push for the NCAA Tournament, those two guys among others will need to step up more and help Smith carry the load. After back-to-back road games against ranked opponents, the Wolfpack head home for the week, hosting Syracuse and Miami. Sitting at just 3-6 in conference with several tough games left, they need to get some wins on the board to keep postseason hopes alive.

10

Virginia Tech Hokies

Last week: 16-5, 5-4 ACC
Last rank: 7

This week marked a big accomplishment for Hokies’ coach Buzz Williams, as he picked up his 200th career win in their triumph over Boston College. Unfortunately he had failed to reach that milestone just two days earlier in a loss to North Carolina, but not many teams are able to beat the Tar Heels these days. While Seth Allen and Zach LeDay continue to lead the team, Virginia Tech is still searching for a consistent third banana. Against UNC it was Justin Robinson, who had 17 points and 7 assists. He regressed against Boston College as another Justin, this time Bibbs, stepped up to give the Hokies 18 points.

If they can find a consistent go-to guy behind Allen and LeDay, it would make the rest of the guys around them that much better. Williams has a talented roster throughout, but the search for consistency will continue against one of the better teams in the league this week. Making the 150 mile trek from Blacksburg to Charlottesville means the game will have high stakes, and a win against Virginia would do wonders for Virginia Tech.