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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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CORAL GABLES, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Miami guard JaQuan Newton (0) shoots against Duke guard Frank Jackson (15) during a college basketball game between the Duke University Blue Devils and the University of Miami Hurricanes on February 25, 2017 at the Watsco Center, Coral Gables, Florida. Miami defeated Duke 55-50. (Photo by Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CORAL GABLES, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Miami guard JaQuan Newton (0) shoots against Duke guard Frank Jackson (15) during a college basketball game between the Duke University Blue Devils and the University of Miami Hurricanes on February 25, 2017 at the Watsco Center, Coral Gables, Florida. Miami defeated Duke 55-50. (Photo by Richard C. Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
7

Syracuse Orange

Last week: 17-13, 9-8 ACC
Last rank: 10

Being this high in the rankings does not indicate that Syracuse is safe. They are still firmly on the bubble thanks to bad non-conference play. A buzzer-beating win over Duke last week was huge to their hopes. Following that up with a win over Louisville likely would have clinched their spot, but they weren’t able to get it done. They have one game left and it might be their biggest of the season. They play Georgia Tech this Saturday in one of the biggest bubble games in the conference this year. The result of that game could decide who gets in and who misses out. While it isn’t the best ACC matchup of the weekend, it could be the one with the most at stake. After a Final Four run last year, Cuse won’t want to miss the tournament entirely this time around.

6

Miami Hurricanes

Last week: 20-9, 10-7 ACC
Last rank: 5

As if the upset win at Virginia wasn’t enough to get the Canes into the field, they followed up that upset with yet another, beating a Duke team who humiliated them with a big comeback in January. Getting that big win was certainly enough to lock them in as they jumped to AP No. 25 this week. That’s a good thing as they then lost to Virginia Tech in a close one. After a rough start to conference play, Miami has won 8 of their last 11 games. They excelled without Ja’Quan Newton, but his return is a big boost for them heading into postseason play. They finish up the regular season with a trip to rival Florida State. Another top 25 win there would garner them a good seed when the bracket is revealed on Selection Sunday.