ACC Basketball Standings: There is A New Contender for Conference Title
By Cem Yolbulan
The national media and punditry have been underestimating the ACC all season, claiming that there are only two teams with a case of making the NCAA Tournament in March. While it is true that Duke and UNC have been the teams to beat in the conference, the rest of ACC has stepped up in recent weeks to make the claim for their names to be called on Selection Sunday.
Virginia has been one of the hottest teams in the country, having won eight in a row and rising above Duke for the second place in the conference.
They are seemingly peaking at the right time as Tony Bennett managed to build another elite defense as the Cavaliers rank in top-10 in the nation in KenPom defensive efficiency ratings.
Wake Forest and Clemson are also playing their best basketball of the season, making the final few weeks of conference play that much more intriguing.
ACC Basketball Standings
Team | Conference | Overall |
|---|---|---|
UNC | 11-2 | 19-5 |
Virginia | 10-3 | 19-5 |
Duke | 9-3 | 18-5 |
Wake Forest | 8-4 | 16-7 |
Florida State | 7-5 | 13-10 |
NC State | 7-6 | 15-9 |
Clemson | 6-6 | 16-7 |
Pittsburgh | 6-6 | 15-8 |
Syracuse | 6-7 | 15-9 |
Miami FL | 6-7 | 15-9 |
Virginia Tech | 5-7 | 13-10 |
Boston College | 4-8 | 13-10 |
Georgia Tech | 3-10 | 10-14 |
Louisville | 3-10 | 8-16 |
Notre Dame | 3-10 | 8-16 |
Even though North Carolina is still the heavy favorite in the conference, their performance in back-to-back games against Clemson and Miami FL was unconvincing. After losing to Clemson at home, they eked out a close win to rebound against Miami. But one has to wonder whether a little bit of complacency is showing for the Tar Heels.
We will find out more about what North Carolina is made of when they visit Syracuse on Tuesday night and take on Virginia Tech at home on Saturday.
Duke, on the other hand, responded well to their disappointing loss at the Battle of the Blues. Taking into account head coach Jon Scheyer's criticism about their effort level against North Carolina, the Blue Devils came out strong and won both of their home games against Notre Dame and Boston College in dominant fashion.
The Blue Devils are hosting Wake Forest on Monday night and going to Florida State on Saturday to take on the Seminoles.
ACC Basketball Odds
North Carolina is still at -485 to win the ACC regular season championship with Duke and Virginia behind them at +565 and +850, respectively. Every other team in the conference is an extremely long shot to challenge for the title.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.