If a headache could be fun, it would manifest itself out in the form of these ACC Basketball Power Rankings. Currently, 10 of the top 35 teams in the nation, per KenPom’s efficiency rating, reside in the ACC. To put this together is an exercise in agonizing over which hairs to split.
The bottom line: man, this league is really freaking good. Let’s dive in.
No. 1 Duke
Duke has looked absolutely overwhelming to start the season. Zion Williamson has been utterly ridiculous, too. Williamson and Cam Reddish have combined to score 1.83 points per possession (77.8 FG%) on isolations, per Synergy Sports.
Duke made 20 shots in the first half. 16 of them came at the rim. pic.twitter.com/1vGPRMfSqc
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 15, 2018
No. 2 Virginia
No one will confuse Coppin State (No. 350 in KenPom rankings) with the Golden State Warriors, but De’Andre Hunter (75 FG% on cuts this season) did some pretty cool stuff the last time UVA was on the floor. In 15 minutes of action, Hunter scored 20 points on nine field goal attempts. Going back to the 2010-11 season, Hunter became just the 40th Division I player to score 20+ points in 15 or fewer minutes on 10 or fewer shot attempts.
No. 3 North Carolina
It’s pretty wild that a team that ranks inside the top seven nationally in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency could rank third in an individual conference, but that’s where we are with UNC and the ACC right now. According to Synergy, nearly 31 percent of North Carolina’s possessions (1.06 points per possession) have come in transition — a top-10 number nationally. UNC also ranks second in the nation in average offensive possession length: 12.8 seconds.
Also, the rookies have been really good.
66% (27 of 41) of the made FGs for UNC's 3 freshmen (Little, White, and Black) have been unassisted this year, double the rate of all other Heels (33%—36 of 109). Early on, they're providing the shot creation Carolina needed in the post-Berry/Pinson era.
— Adrian Atkinson (@FreeportKid) November 18, 2018
No. 4 Virginia Tech
The ACC bagged another signature early-season victory thanks to Virginia Tech; the Hokies defeated No. 23 Purdue (No. 13 in KenPom) to win the Charleston Classic. In the title game, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 25 points — his fourth game of 20+ points this season. Alexander-Walker is shooting 80 percent out of the pick-and-roll through the first four games, per Synergy: 1.81 points per possession (86.7 eFG%).
2⃣5⃣ pts
7⃣ rebWhat a night for Nickeil Alexander-Walker to get @HokiesMBB a 🏆#getBetter (@TheReal_NAW1) pic.twitter.com/1xCkSfSwHF
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) November 19, 2018
No. 5 Florida State
Currently No. 10 in KenPom, Florida State looks as good as we could’ve hoop to launch the 2018-19 campaign. Led by PJ Savoy (17 points per game, 61.5 3P%), the Seminoles have scored 1.17 points per possession on spot-ups this season, according to Synergy — No. 31 in the nation and No. 4 in the ACC.
No. 6 Clemson
Clemson improved to 4-0 with a win over Akron to open up the Cayman Islands Classic; in that contest, the Tigers were led by Shelton Mitchell (22 points, 13 FTA) and Marcquise Reed (16 points, 3 assists). Those two have combined for 36+ points in three of Clemson’s four games this season. Get used to that.
No. 7 Syracuse
Look, this is a good Syracuse team — one that features what should be an excellent zone defense (0.73 points per possession). However, after two losses (UConn and Oregon) in the first four games, you can see this team struggling with what give it issues last season. No Frank Howard hurts some, but Tyus Battle and Oshae Brissett are a combined 5-of-31 on three-point attempts this season (16.1 3P%).
Sounds like Boeheim wants to play small once Frank Howard gets healthy. Howard and Jalen Carey together, Tyus Battle at the 3, Oshae Brissett at the 4.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 17, 2018
According to Synergy, Syracuse has scored just 0.82 points per possession in half-court offense so far, which ranks 257th nationally.
No. 8 NC State
This team is an interesting team to evaluate. On offense, NC State has put up monster numbers to start the season — 1.04 points per possession in the half court, No. 24 in the nation, according to Synergy — but its come against some so-so competition, at best. However, all four wins have come against teams that rank outside the top 320 nationally, per KenPom.
No. 9 Miami
It’s been smooth sailing for the Hurricanes to start the season. After three quick wins, Miami ranks inside the top 25 in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Chris Lykes has balled out, too: 10.1 percent turnover rate, 42.9 percent shooting on three-pointers and he’s drawn 6.3 fouls per 40 minutes.
No. 10 Louisville
Matchups with Tennessee and Michigan State in the near future should provide more information, but for now: so far, so good for Chris Mack and Louisville. Jordan Nwora has doubled his minutes from last season (up to 23.7 per game) while upping his usage rate (31.3 percent), and he’s done so efficiently. Nwora is attempting 11 three-pointers per 100 possessions and has an effective shooting clip just under 61 percent.
No. 11 Notre Dame
Notre Dame bounced back from the Radford loss with a win over William & Mary, but TJ Gibbs continues to slump in a new role this season: 15.4 3P% (4-of-26 3PA). For one of the best spot-up players in America last season, that’s a big dip.
No. 12 Pittsburgh
It’s early, but Pitt just keeps on winning basketball games. After losing 19 straight games to close the 2017-18 season, the Panthers have jumped out to a 5-0 start. There’s still a lot to work through here, including slow starts in several games now, but let’s enjoy this for the time being, yeah?
— Ben Swain (@TheBenSwain) November 16, 2018
No. 13 Boston College
The IUPUI loss is a tough pill to swallow, but Boston College, which ranks 91st in offensive efficiency, is doing some things right. According to KenPom, the Eagles rank fourth nationally in free throw attempt rate: 64.5 percent. Point guard Ky Bowman (58.4 TS%) is attempting over nine free throws per 100 possessions.
No. 14 Wake Forest
Outscored by 20 points in the second half, Wake Forest would love to have that Saint Joseph’s game back. However, the Demon Deacons responded — back-to-back wins over Cal State Fullerton and Valparaiso. According to Synergy, freshman Jaylen Hoard has scored just under 0.94 points per possession this season (44.7 eFG%). Keep in eye on this; Wake needs Hoard to boost the offense.
No. 15 Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech has actually shot decently from three (36.4 3P%), but the Jackets still rank 196th in effective shooting (49.4 eFG%), 249th in turnover rate (21 percent) and 299th in opponent steal rate (11.1 percent). On the road at Tennessee, Tech shot just 3-of-19 on three-point attempts (15.8 3P%) and, yo, someone tell the folks in Knoxville to close one of the doors at Thompson-Boiling Arena. It looks breezy in there.
Let’s check in on the Jackets oh God pic.twitter.com/m3m898uygn
— Ben Swain (@TheBenSwain) November 14, 2018
Contributor Rankings
| David Glenn | Brian Geisinger | Josh Graham | Consensus | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke | Duke | Duke | Duke |
| 2 | Virginia | Virginia | Virginia | Virginia |
| 3 | UNC | UNC | UNC | UNC |
| 4 | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech |
| 5 | Florida State | Florida State | Clemson | Florida State |
| 6 | Syracuse | Clemson | Syracuse | Clemson |
| 7 | Clemson | Syracuse | Florida State | Syracuse |
| 8 | NC State | Miami | NC State | NC State |
| 9 | Miami | NC State | Louisville | Miami |
| 10 | Louisville | Louisville | Miami | Louisville |
| 11 | Notre Dame | Notre Dame | Pitt | Notre Dame |
| 12 | Georgia Tech | Boston College | Notre Dame | Pitt |
| 13 | Wake Forest | Wake Forest | Boston College | Boston College |
| 14 | Boston College | Pitt | Wake Forest | Wake Forest |
| 15 | Pitt | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech | Georgia Tech |
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