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College Basketball ACC Power Rankings: Week 17

By Charlie Maikis

Feb 27, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard London Perrantes (32) dribbles the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) chases in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 53-43. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard London Perrantes (32) dribbles the ball as North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) chases in the second half at John Paul Jones Arena. The Cavaliers won 53-43. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – FEBRUARY 26: Tadric Jackson
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11

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Last week: 16-12, 7-9 ACC
Last rank: 12

Still barely clinging to the bubble, Wake Forest might need to win out to make it. The Deacs boast a solid resume with few bad losses, but they also don’t have any good wins. Top-10 Louisville comes to town Wednesday night to give them a chance to change that. After that they hit the road to play another team close to the bubble in Virginia Tech. Wake Forest need to win those games to get my favorite for ACC player of the Year, John Collins, into the field. A win over Louisville may mean they survive a loss to Virginia Tech, but getting that big win is critical. To do so, they’ll need to ride Collins as they’ve done all season while giving him the support he has generally lacked. A couple of wins in the ACC Tournament could provide that boost too, but counting on that is dangerous.

10

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Last week: 16-3, 7-9 ACC
Last rank: 9

Probably the team closest to off the bubble, Georgia Tech will be desperate to win their next two. Both are winnable games against lowly Pittsburgh and Syracuse, a team they beat previously. They had a chance to add another big win to the resume last week, but came up just short. The 64-60 loss to Notre Dame was just about the opposite of the first time they met (62-60 Georgia Tech). The fact that Georgia Tech is even part of bubble talk this late in the season is miraculous. Josh Pastner has really earned recognition with this team, and making the tournament would push it even further. Because of that, they will be one of the most interesting teams to watch down the stretch. What they do in the ACC Tournament will be crucial to their hopes as a loss on day one would likely knock them out.