ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Week 6

What a week in sports! From sickness to self bans to poor press conferences, the media had plenty to talk about. Being a part of that media now (kind of scary when I think about it), let’s take a look at what happened in this crazy week of college basketball.

Monday: Tobacco Road finds it hard to win on the road. NC State and UNC both lost on Monday. It has happened before and will happen again (actually it happened again that Saturday, but who is counting). Both teams also lost on the road. The ACC road is not an easy one. UNC which started the week 8-0 and 3-0 on the road ended the week 8-2 and 3-2 on the road. Luckily the tournament is played in Neutral locations where the Heels are undefeated this season.

Tuesday: Kentucky collapses. Following their OT loss at Kansas, people were already starting to talk about how dangerous the Wildcats were becoming. Then they went out and blew a 21 point lead on the road to a team that currently sits at under .500 for the season. It was the Cats second road loss to a sub .500 team and really raises questions about Kentucky’s makeup. Of course to further muddle up the picture, Kentucky goes out four days later and throttles a really good Florida team by 19.

Wednesday: Villanova crushes Creighton. The results of this game really weren’t surprising. However it was what this game led to that was the real story. This win coupled with a later win at Providence, led to Villanova being ranked number one for the first time in school history. The team that has come close but never really succeeded is currently at the top of this crazy basketball season.

Thursday: Oregon runs over Colorado. Oregon is putting it’s mark on the Pac 12. A division no one seemed to want to win is being dominated by the Ducks. USC is staying in the mix and what is typically a football matchup could decide the basketball season this year. The two teams are on a collision course for March 5th and if both squads keep winning that game in Los Angeles could be for first place in the Pac 12.

Friday: Louisville demolishes its season. Ok I want to start by saying that post season bans are the worst punishment I have ever heard of. They punish players and fans who often have nothing to do with the reason that said school is being punished. It would be like convicting a guy of murder and then randomly selecting ten other people to go to the electric chair. I understand you want to punish the school. And I get that. Take away the scholarships, the wins, and the banners. Suspend the coaches and ban ex players from the campus. But don’t punish the kids who had nothing to do with it.

Listen up NCAA and in this case Louisville, do better than this. I realize the ban costs the school money. So why not let the kids play and make the school give the money to charity. It can even be a charity that fits the crime, like helping girls not get into prostitution as is the current case. Or to better education for minorities. Or whatever. This way the University still gets punished but the kids get to play. Crazy idea, I know, but let’s be clear Trey Lewis and Damian Lee deserve better than this. And guess what we can do better.

Saturday: AP 1 and 2 lose on the same day to unranked teams. It doesn’t happen often. It happens even less to unranked teams. Actually the last time it happened was ten seasons ago, when Florida and Duke lost on the same day. If there is any solace for Tar Heel fans, that year Florida was number 2 and they went on to win the National Championship. Of course that was also the year George Mason ran over America and the Heels on their run to the Final Four.

Sunday: You were watching basketball? Yes I know there were college basketball games played on this day, but honestly, who cares. I remember the year the Tar Heels played before the Super Bowl and it just wasn’t the same. The day is hyped as one of the biggest games of the year and there is a reason, it is. Everyone watches, not just for the football, but for the commercials. The game was great if you like defense, the Broncos, or Peyton Manning. The game was horrendous if you like offense, the Panthers, or good post game interviews (Sorry Cam, but you got to grow up). This also is the last real football game of the season (Pro or otherwise, sorry arena and CFL, you don’t count). That means the rest of America will be turning their eyes on to college basketball and they will not be disappointed.

Superbowl 50 aside, this was another great week in college basketball. Some people don’t like the lack of a dominate team and being a Carolina Alum I get that when UNC should be better. However, the lack of a dominate team opens up questions, creates upsets, and honestly makes the game that more amazing. So without further ado here are this week’s ACC power rankings, starting with a team making its final appearance this season.

Note: All game and records as of 2/7

Next: The Barrel's Bottom