1. Virginia Cavaliers (19-0, 7-0) – The 29-point destruction of Georgia Tech was exactly what it should be. But the 50-47 win over Virginia Tech? Too close for comfort. Maybe the wakeup call is what the Cavaliers needed in order to avoid future complacency in their quest for a perfect season, especially with two top-15 teams looming this week. In other news, Justin Anderson is still shooting above 50 percent from three-point range. (This week: Duke, North Carolina)
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (19-2, 7-1) – The Fighting Irish’s thrashing of Virginia Tech was to be expected, but their 81-78 overtime win at NC State could’ve easily gone the other way. Their matchup with Duke tonight is another chance to prove they belong with the nation’s elite, as they have split games with Virginia and North Carolina so far on the year. (This week: Duke, Pitt)
3. North Carolina Tar Heels (17-4, 7-1) – Last week’s wins against Florida State and Syracuse were probably a little closer than the Tar Heels would have wanted, but they’ll take them. The Theo Pinson injury? They’d rather not have that. North Carolina, who is still down quite a few players, begins a tough stretch on Saturday on the road in Louisville, who they barely beat at home 72-71 back on Jan. 10th. (This week: Louisville, Virginia)
4. Duke Blue Devils (17-2, 4-2) – The Blue Devils are probably somewhat relieved to have that 1,000th win out of their way…just in time for their toughest two-game stretch of the season. They have seemed to address some of their defensive issues plaguing them in recent weeks, and Jahlil Okafor is still doing Jahlil Okafor things, only more so. The Blue Devils hope that his fellow freshman continue their surging play as well. (This week: Notre Dame, Virginia)
5. Miami Hurricanes (14-5, 4-2) – Fairly productive week for the Hurricanes, as they defeated both Syracuse and NC State. Miami leading scorer Sheldon McClellan basically disappeared against the Orangemen, but Tonye Jekeri was there to pick up the slack, scoring 13 points to go with his usual double-digit rebound outing of 15. (This week: Georgia Tech, Florida State)
6. Louisville Cardinals (16-3, 4-2) – Rick Pitino’s squad back on track somewhat last week with a 12-point win over Pitt. Montrezl Harell had his best shooting performance in a month after being oddly stripped of his captaincy last week following his performance against Duke. Even so, the Cardinals are still looking for a win over a team currently ranked in the Top-25. They’ll get a chance Saturday against North Carolina. (This week: Boston College, North Carolina)
7. NC State Wolfpack (13-8, 4-4) – The main reason the Wolfpack get the call this week over Syracuse is because their two losses were slightly better, if you believe in such things. NC State fell just short on the road at Miami by a score of 65-60, and followed that with the 81-78 overtime loss against Notre Dame at home. Nothing to hang their head over, but enough to prove that the Wolfpack are just short of being able to hang with the upper half of the conference. (This week: Clemson, Georgia Tech)
8. Syracuse Orangemen (14-7, 5-3) – That four-point loss to Miami might come back to bite the Orangemen come tournament selection time. Giving up a 58-point second half to North Carolina the following game will have them wondering what could’ve been as well. Syracuse needs to get over the hump if they want to be around in mid-March. (This week: no games)
9. Clemson Tigers (11-8, 3-4) – The Tigers redeemed themselves from a close loss to Florida State on Jan. 19th by beating Wake Forest 59-57 on Saturday. The Florida State loss prevented them from having what could’ve been a 4-1 run by now, which they might have been able to build into a nice stretch of winning basketball and perhaps pushing for bubble-team status. Clemson will have to steal a few to even get back to any consideration, and tonight’s game against NC State provides a good opportunity. (This week: NC State, Boston College)
10. Pittsburgh Panthers (13-8, 3-5) – The loss to Louisville was understandable, but a 70-67 overtime loss to previously-winless Virginia Tech was definitely not. Michael Young’s disappearing act until the second half ended up being the difference, no doubt. (This week: Notre Dame, Bryant)
11. Virginia Tech Hokies (9-11, 1-6) – A three-point loss to Virginia followed by a win against Pitt? Not a bad week. The Hokies have a much easier stretch of schedule ahead of them, so now is their chance to get out of the cellar permanently this year. (This week: Wake Forest)
12. Florida State Seminoles (10-10, 2-5) – The Seminoles actually managed to play defense in a 59-55 win against Clemson back in Week 11, but the Tar Heels had their way with them on Saturday, putting up 78 points en route to a four-point win. Freshman guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes went off in the losing effort, scoring 35 points on 53 percent field goal shooting, including five from behind the arc. (This week: Wake Forest, Miami)
13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9-11, 1-6) – Thank goodness Wake Forest has Georgia Tech again on the schedule, because it seems that they’ll continue to just miss out on wins otherwise. They have two more solid chances coming up. (This week: Florida State Virginia Tech)
14. Boston College Falcons (9-9, 1-5) – Unfortunately, the Falcons don’t get Georgia Tech again, and probably won’t have another solid chance for a victory until Feb. 18th against Florida State. (This week: Louisville, Clemson)
15. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-10, 0-7) – Aside from their 57-28 loss to Virginia last Thursday, the Yellow Jackets haven’t really been blown out this year. They are primed for an upset or two this year. Just ask Notre Dame, who had major trouble getting past them in their two matchups. (This week: Miami, NC State)
