2017-18 ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Week 1
Teams 10-12
The Wolfpack are the last of the teams I place in the not so good group. Of the four teams, NC State does have the most wins with 10. They are also the only on of the four teams with a win against an RPI top 25 team, thanks to the improved play of the Arizona Wildcats.
However, the Wolfpack are still a very questionable squad. Eight of those 10 victories have come against sub 150 RPI squads, including six against sub 250 teams. On the plus side, they do rank top 100 nationally in points, rebounds, and assists.
The Wolfpack will look to shake off their latest loss with a potential win at Notre Dame.
I know I said there were three groups going into this ACC season, well I sort of lied.
Boston College is kind of in no man’s land. They aren’t bad enough to join the not so good group, but just not good enough to join the good group either.
Of course, that is what happens when you beat Duke at home, nearly beat Virginia on the road, and also feast on eight sub 150 RPI squads.
Virginia Tech two seasons ago was pesky but not good enough to make the tournament. Georgia Tech last season was pesky but not good enough to make the tournament.
With a backcourt in Ky Bowman and Jerome Robinson averaging 33 points a game, the Eagles look to be pesky, but probably not good enough to make the tournament.
Of course, they already beat Duke and play in the ACC, so there are plenty of chances to change that. Their next opportunity comes against Clemson on Wednesday.
Speaking of the Hokies, they are the first of four good ACC teams this season. Virginia Tech should be a tournament team with an offense that ranks ninth nationally in points per game and 13th in assists per game.
However, the Hokies really haven’t played anybody this season.
Their strength of schedule is 299th nationally and their best win was a neutral court victory over Washington back in mid-November. They are 0-2 against the RPI top 50 and just lost by 12 to Syracuse.
The Hokies will look to get that signature win on Wednesday when they welcome in a Virginia team that needed every second to hold off Boston College.