Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 8
Next
Dec 28, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles against Virginia Cavaliers guard Devon Hall (0) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles against Virginia Cavaliers guard Devon Hall (0) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
3

North Carolina Tar Heels

Last week: 19-4, 7-2 ACC
Last rank: 3

Not even the most consistent teams can stay unblemished in the ACC. North Carolina whipped Virginia Tech to give them seven straight victories, but then promptly fell at Miami. Justin Jackson was the lone consistent performer for them this week, putting up 26 and 21 respectively in the two games. Their veteran frontcourt of Isaiah Hicks and Kennedy Meeks was unable to budge Miami’s athletic defenders, combining for just 12 points and 12 rebounds. It has been harped on before, but Joel Berry III needs to become a consistent presence anchoring their backcourt. He played well against the Hokies, knocking in 5-10 3s for 15 points and adding 4 assists, but faltered against Miami. While guards Bruce Brown, Davon Reed, and Ja’Quan Newton scored 62 points for the Canes (as many as UNC had in the game!), Berry shot a weak 0-8 from the field, tallying just two points. For the Heels to get things back on track this week against Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, they’ll need their veterans to step up and give consistent performances.

2

Louisville Cardinals

Last week: 18-4, 6-3 ACC
Last rank: 5

Louisville is playing some of their best basketball of the season right now. Other than a close loss to Florida State a couple of weeks ago, the Cardinals have been laying waste to everything in their path. It continued this week with beatdowns of Pittsburgh and NC State, winning the two by a combined 80 points. While they’re playing this well on the back of their elite defense, it is really encouraging to see Donovan Mitchell leading the team in the absence of Quinton Snider. He scored 28.5 points per game in the two wins, nearly doubling the output of his closest teammate in both.

They allowed 51 and 60 points in the two games, and if their defense keeps playing at that level, they should remain at or near the top of the ACC. They start this week off with a game at Boston College that could get ugly fast if they find a way to shut down Jerome Robinson and Ky Bowman. After that is a prime time marquee matchup against another elite defensive squad in Virginia on Monday night.