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College Basketball Power Rankings: Week 18

By Nathaniel Reeves

Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2017; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Frank Mason (0) celebrates after forcing a turnover during the second half of the game against the Baylor Bears at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks won 73-68. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) dribbles against Louisville Cardinals forward Anas Mahmoud (14) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) dribbles against Louisville Cardinals forward Anas Mahmoud (14) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
18

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Last week: 22-7, 11-5 ACC
Last rank: 17

Mike Brey continues to do less with more, as the Fighting Irish remarkably enter the ACC Tournament as the No. 3 seed despite losing a ton of talent off of each of the past two squads that both reached the Elite Eight.

Notre Dame comfortably handled Boston College on Wednesday night for its sixth consecutive victory. The Fighting Irish will enter the postseason coming off a loss after dropping a 71-64 decision at Louisville over the weekend, although a seven-point road loss to the Cardinals can certainly be forgiven.

Bonzie Colson closed out his terrific year with another 20-point performance to finish 13th nationally in Player Efficiency Rating while earning a first-team All-ACC nod. The biggest difference in 2017 has been guard Matt Farrell, who is averaging over 14 points per contest on 42.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc after playing just 13 minutes a game last year.

Brey’s team looks to be a threat for a deep tournament run once again with the No. 16 adjusted offense per Ken Pomeroy, fueled by excellent marks from the perimeter and free throw line. While a lack of size on the interior is always a concern for Notre Dame in certain matchups, a No. 62 ranking in adjusted defense is the team’s best since 2012.

The Fighting Irish won’t play again until Thursday’s ACC quarterfinals thanks to the double bye, with Virginia appearing to be its most likely opponent.