Keeping It Heel
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2017-18 ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Week 1

By Brandon Griffin

CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 30: Kenny Williams
CHAPEL HILL, NC - DECEMBER 30: Kenny Williams /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 30: Isaiah Wilkins
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – DECEMBER 30: Isaiah Wilkins /

Teams 1-3

How did the Cavaliers beat Boston College on Saturday? By doing what they always do, playing smothering defense. Virginia hassled the Eagles so much on their final possession that the ball went to the wrong player and it ended in an offensive foul.

The Cavaliers lead the nation in points allowed per game and held Boston College to a season-low 58 points. What is scarier about that game is that Virginia had a 30 point scorer in Ty Jerome. Jerome is the first Cavalier to hit 30 points since 2013.

Virginia will look to continue that combination of smothering defense and unstoppable offense when they travel to play Virginia Tech on Wednesday.

CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 30: Kenny Williams
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 30: Kenny Williams /

The real question here is which Tar Heel team is going to play this season. Will the ACC see the team that beat Ohio State with nine three-pointers in the first half? Or will they see the team that came out lethargic and lost to Wofford?

If not for the Wofford game, North Carolina might even rank number one in these rankings.

However, they weren’t ready and they lost. The other question is whether Roy Williams use of the Death Lineup will continue this season.

It was very Golden State like as he brought it out at the end of both halves. The answer to that second question should be answered Wednesday when they travel to Tallahassee for their first of two tough early season conference road games.

DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 30: Marvin Bagley III
DURHAM, NC – DECEMBER 30: Marvin Bagley III /

How close were the Blue Devils to starting ACC play 0-2? Real close, just ask Seminole fans.

However, Duke figured it out and came away with the win, thanks mainly to the play of super freshman Marvin Bagley III, who finished with 32 points and 21 rebounds.

Funny thing is how much this season mirrors last season. In 2016-17, Duke came in with a Championship handed to them by the media. They started the ACC season 1-1. Though they won the ACC tournament, they finished fifth in the standings during the regular season.

That team lost to South Carolina on opening weekend. This team is a little bigger, they lead the nation in rebounds per game, but the similarities are interesting nonetheless.

The Blue Devils will look to move above .500 in ACC play when they travel to play NC State on Saturday.

If you wondering how I ranked the top 10 teams nationally, have no fear they are right here:

  1. Michigan State Spartans
  2. West Virginia Mountaineers
  3. Villanova Wildcats
  4. Duke Blue Devils
  5. Oklahoma Sooners
  6. North Carolina Tar Heels
  7. Virginia Cavaliers
  8. Arizona State Sun Devils
  9. TCU Horned Frogs
  10. Kansas Jayhawks

Well that does it for this round of rankings. The new year is here and so I will be doing these weekly now. So enjoy the NFL playoffs and early ACC play and check back here next week.

What did you think of this week’s rankings? Let us know in the comments below.

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