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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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NEWTON, MA – FEBRUARY 25: Boston College Eagles’ Connar Tava moves with pressure from Virginia Tech Hokies’ Ty Outlaw during the first half. Boston College hosts Virginia Tech at the Conte Forum in Newton on Feb. 25, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
NEWTON, MA – FEBRUARY 25: Boston College Eagles’ Connar Tava moves with pressure from Virginia Tech Hokies’ Ty Outlaw during the first half. Boston College hosts Virginia Tech at the Conte Forum in Newton on Feb. 25, 2017. (Photo by Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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Virginia Tech Hokies

Last week: 21-8, 10-7 ACC
Last rank: 8

Two big wins last week probably pushed the Hokies into the field for good; a win over a tournament team in Miami was the big blow. The expected win over Boston College was just avoiding a very bad loss. Having eclipsed 20 wins and 10 in the ACC, keeping them out of the tournament seems unlikely. All that remains on their schedule is a game with Wake Forest that could have big bubble implications. While Virginia Tech would probably make the field with a loss, Wake Forest needs every win they can get. Going against a desperate team with a weapon as dangerous as they have in Collins is never easy. Buzz Williams and company will still want to win to get momentum heading into the ACC Tournament, where they have a first-round bye.

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Duke Blue Devils

Last week: 22-7, 10-6 ACC
Last rank: 3

Just last week, Duke seemed back to elite status. Still a lock for the tournament, they are just fighting for a high seed at this point. Back-to-back losses to Syracuse and Miami certainly didn’t help matters. Both were close losses on the road, but the Blue Devils would have liked to win at least one. They finish the season with a particularly difficult slate. They’ve got two top-15 teams left as they face Florida State then North Carolina. They split matchups with those two teams earlier this year, and two more wins would help secure a top seed. Even with two losses, Duke would be likely to get a solid seed with a win or two in the ACC Tournament. With every game they drop until then, though, their seed for that gets lower and potential matchups get more difficult.