The ACC delivered some serious drama this past week, with a mix of dominant performances and one headline-stealing upset that shook up the standings. Louisville continued its recent surge, stacking wins and making noise in the conference, while North Carolina stunned Duke in one of the most talked-about games of the weekend. The top-tier teams mostly held serve, but as always in college hoops, nothing is guaranteed-especially in February.
Let’s break down what went down and where things stand, starting with a Louisville squad that's heating up at just the right time.
Louisville Is Rolling
Louisville is riding a four-game win streak, and they’re not just squeaking by-they’re dominating. The Cardinals picked up two more wins this past week, taking care of business against Notre Dame and Wake Forest.
But the real statement came on Monday, when they dismantled NC State in a 41-point rout. That kind of margin isn’t just a win-it’s a message.
This recent stretch has been pivotal for Louisville in the ACC standings. Their energy on both ends of the floor has been noticeably elevated, and the momentum they’ve built could carry them into a strong position heading into the back half of conference play. They’re peaking at a time when every game starts to feel like March.
The Top Holds Strong-Mostly
For the most part, the ACC’s top-tier teams did what they were supposed to do. Favorites took care of business across the board-except for one major exception. North Carolina pulled off a massive upset over Duke on Saturday, flipping the script in a rivalry that never fails to deliver fireworks.
That win not only gives the Tar Heels a confidence boost, but it also throws a wrench into the pecking order at the top of the ACC. With tournament resumes and seeding implications on the line, every result like this matters more and more.
Trouble in Pittsburgh
At the other end of the spectrum, Pittsburgh continues to struggle. The Panthers dropped two more games this week, getting blown out by both Virginia and SMU. Now sitting at 9-15 overall with just two ACC wins, they’ve lost nine of their last eleven and are trending in the wrong direction.
Under head coach Jeff Capel, this season is shaping up to be one of the toughest yet. The team just hasn’t found a rhythm, and with the losses piling up, it’s hard to see a turnaround on the horizon. The Panthers are now firmly at the bottom of the ACC power rankings-and unless something drastic changes, that’s not likely to shift anytime soon.
As the ACC continues to tighten up, the next few weeks are going to be crucial. Teams like Louisville are making their move, while others are fighting just to stay afloat.
With March looming, every possession matters a little more, and every game has the potential to reshape the landscape. Buckle up-this conference race is far from over.