Technician's ACC Men's Basketball Power Rankings

With the ACC schedule in full swing, only one undefeated team remains in conference play – No. 4 Duke. The teams in the middle of the league appear evenly matched so it will be interesting to see which teams emerge into the league's top tier. With a season that looks to be already full of surprises and uncertainty, the <I>Technician<i> sports staff ranks the performance by the ACC's men's basketball teams.

1.     No. 4 Duke (15-2, 3-0 ACC) - The Blue Devils, perennial ACC contenders for the past quarter century, are the ACC's only team that has not lost in league play this season. Last week, Duke survived a scare against Virginia at Cameron, and then went on the road to defeat Clemson. Look for Duke to remain at or near the ACC's crown once again.

2.     Florida State (11-6, 2-1 ACC) - After playing inconsistently in non-conference play and losing to Clemson in their first ACC game, the Seminoles finally appeared to live up to their high preseason ACC ranking with a 33-point win over North Carolina. The Seminoles are 11th in the country in rebounds per game, averaging 40.4 per outing.

3.     No. 8 North Carolina (15-3, 2-1 ACC) - Carolina currently has the nation's top offense but has lost its last three road games, including a meltdown in Tallahassee. The loss against Florida State is probably the worst loss by a North Carolina team in recent memory. Despite this, the talent-loaded Tar Heels should stay at the top of the league.

4.     No. 15 Virginia (14-2, 1-1 ACC) - Virginia has been one of the biggest surprises, if not the biggest surprise, in college basketball. The Wahoos have lost only two games by a combined five points. It is uncertain if Virginia can continue to sustain the success they have had thus far.

5.     North Carolina State (13-5, 2-1 ACC) - The Wolfpack ended the week strong, crushing the Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem after a disappointing loss to Georgia Tech at home, marked by the Yellow Jackets 60 percent three-point shooting. State has a balanced offensive attack with its five leading scorers averaging between twelve and thirteen points.

6.     Maryland (12-4, 2-1 ACC) - After a slow start to the season, the Terps look like they are starting to figure things out under first-year coach Mark Turgeon. Maryland sports the ACC's leading scorer, guard Terrell Stoglin, who is averaging 20.9 points per game.

7.     Clemson (9-8, 1-2 ACC) - Clemson has struggled with consistency and picked up some bad losses at home early in the season against College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina. The Tigers played a difficult game against Duke Sunday night and look to improve their 256th-ranked offense as the season goes on.

8.     Georgia Tech (8-9, 1-2 ACC) - The Yellow Jackets have struggled on offense throughout the season, scoring more than 80 points only once. If they can play defense like they did against the Pack, the Jackets can win a few ACC games.

9.     Boston College (7-10, 2-1 ACC) - Boston College has won its past two ACC games despite lacking talent and scholarship players. The Eagles are certainly capable of picking up one or two more surprise wins.

10.  Wake Forest (10-7, 1-2 ACC) - The Demon Deacons have improved over last year's team and have two of the ACC's top scorers, but this team is still rebuilding and was defeated handily, 76-40, by State in its last game.

11.  Miami (9-6, 0-2 ACC) - Miami has the talent to be in the upper half of the league with guards Malcolm Grant, Durand Scott and forward Reggie Johnson but has failed to gel. A win against Clemson at home could propel the team to greener pastures, or be the catalyst to a long slide.

12.  Virginia Tech (11-6, 0-3 ACC) - No doubt, Virginia Tech has been the biggest underachiever in ACC competition. It was predicted to finish sixth in the league and should have been able to beat Wake and BC. With its next four games against North Carolina, at Virginia, at Maryland and Duke, it may be a while before the Hokies pick up a win.