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One word could summarize the first half of the ACC regular season and that word is parity. There is no dominant team this season. There are still nine teams with some chance of making March Madness, although the hopes are fading quickly for the Heels.
The stretch run will be crucial to the ACC teams in the middle of the pack including the Tigers.
TheClemsonInsider brings you the latest TCI ACC Power Rankings:
1. Duke (7-2, 19-4)
The Devils are clearly the best team in the ACC right now. The Devils can certainly be beat on any give night in the ACC, but they are the most consistent team and are the team to beat for the regular season championship right now. Nolan Smith is the best point guard in the league.
2. Wake Forest (6-3, 16-5)
The Deacs picked up a big win on the road at Virginia this weekend. Wake Forest is a lock for the NCAA at this point. Aminu is one of the top players in the league averaging 16 points per game. Smith and Harris give the Deacs a solid backcourt.
3. Maryland (6-2, 16-6)
Although Clemson took care of the Terps last week, Maryland has solidified themselves as a top tier ACC team this year. The Terps have two games left against Duke to see if they can battle for the regular season championship.
4. Virginia Tech (5-3, 18-4)
Sitting at 18-4 the Hokies appear heading to March Madness. Virginia Tech has not lost at home yet this season. We don't expect Tech to battle for the ACC championship as their schedule down the stretch is tough including road games at Duke and Georgia Tech.
5. Georgia Tech (5-4, 17-6)
Georgia Tech is as talented as any team in the ACC, but they are not playing like it. NC State almost stole a game from Tech this weekend. The jackets are not yet a lock for March Madness with the middle of the league so packed. Tech still has tough road games left at Wake Forest, Maryland and Clemson. Tech has four players averaging in double digits.
6. Virginia (5-3, 14-7)
After sitting at the top of the conference, Virginia is coming back to the rest of the pack losing three of their last five road games. Landesberg is playing as well as any player in the league. Virginia has five of their last eight games on the road, including games at Maryland, Virginia Tech and Clemson.
7. Clemson (4-5, 16-7)
The Tigers are on the bubble now and need to take care of business in their four remaining ACC games. The next three games are at home so the Tigers can be 7-5 in the ACC if they take care of business. A healthy Demontez Stitt is crucial to the Tigers making a run as the team has not been the same since his injury. Another consistent scorer needs to step-up for the Tigers.
8. Florida State (5-4, 17-6)
Florida State is also on the bubble at this point, but their remaining schedule should allow them to get to at least 8-8 in the conference. The Noles have struggled putting points on the board at times. The Noles still have two games against the Tigers. Those games could be crucial in deciding which team will make March Madness.
9. North Carolina (2-6, 13-10)
The Heels appear headed to the NIT unless they make a huge turnaround. With six ACC losses and ten overall the Heels are in big trouble with a pair of games left against Duke and road games with Wake and Georgia Tech remaining.
10. Boston College (3-6, 12-11)
The Eagles are another team that will not be heading to March Madness. With 11 losses already and road games at Wake, Florida State and Georgia Tech the Eagles will at best make the NIT.
11. Miami (2-7, 16-7)
Miami is a disappoitment this season. The Canes only have two remaining road games left including a game at Clemson next weekend so they could move up a few spots over the next few weeks.
12. North Carolina State (2-7, 14-10)
Someone had to be last. The Pack is No. 12 in the power rankings, but could surprise any team in the ACC on a given night as Georgia Tech almost found out this weekend. Sidney Lowe has an outstanding recruiting class coming in for next season, the question is will he be around to coach them.
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