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College Basketball ACC Power Rankings: Week 16

By Charlie Maikis

Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) reacts in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (1) reacts in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) shoots over Duke Blue Devils center Marques Bolden (20) in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward John Collins (20) shoots over Duke Blue Devils center Marques Bolden (20) in the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
13

Clemson Tigers

Last week: 14-13, 4-11 ACC
Last rank: 13

Astoundingly, Clemson stays in the 13 spot for the third straight week. That little movement is uncommon in the ACC, though the Tigers have shown the right balance of staying just better than mediocre to pull it off. A win against Wake Forest on Valentine’s Day appeared to give them life, but two more close losses, this time to Miami and Virginia Tech, brought them crashing back down. They are off the bubble for now, likely needing to win out and make at least the ACC Tournament final to have hope. A huge matchup against Florida State loom this week and if the Tigers can somehow pick up that big win it might give them some momentum. Coach Brad Brownell’s seat is getting very warm, so it’s a crucial week for him as well. Without a tournament berth, he will likely see the axe at the close of the season.

12

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Last week: 15-12, 6-9 ACC
Last rank: 11

Two brutal losses last week means the best the Deacs can do is finish .500 in ACC play. Clemson was one of the worst teams left on their schedule, so they needed to get that win. A close loss to Duke that they couldn’t quite close won’t help spirits either. John Collins continues to cement his case for ACC Player of the Year despite his team’s losses. He averaged 30 points and 12.5 rebounds per game this week on extremely efficient 25-32 shooting. More play like that and he could work his way into the NBA Draft lottery come June, even without a tournament appearance. This week Wake Forest plays just one game, against Pittsburgh, a must-win if they want to keep their bubble hopes alive. They know what they’re getting from Collins, so all that remains to be seen is if the rest of the team can do enough to help him.