UNC Basketball: ACC Men's Basketball rankings for the week of January 15
By Jordan Falls
2-3 in ACC Play. . 6. . 10-6 Record. 447. . VT. .
The Hokies hadn't really been challenged before last week. Virginia Tech is the second-largest mover in this week's ACC Rankings, moving up six spots from their No. 12 ranking in the initial rankings. However, the Hokies handled the challenges well.
A home victory over Clemson, thanks to an impressive performance by former UNC Basketball guard Tyler Nickel off the bench, who provided 27 points on 8-11 shooting and 5-7 from beyond the arc, was a huge key in the Hokies beating the Tigers. That win helped Virginia Tech move up in this week's rankings.
The Hokies dropped their second home game of the week in a close contest, 75-71, to the team ranked behind them at No. 8 this week, Miami. Normally, head-to-head matters in these rankings, and Miami would be ahead of the Hokies by virtue of that win. However, that loss to Louisville was too bad for the Hurricanes to come in at this spot this week.
Virginia Tech can continue to show that they are capable of competing with the top teams in the ACC and hold their own in these rankings with contest against Virginia and NC State on the horizon this week.