ACC Basketball Power Rankings: Duke Leads the Pack, Virginia Closes In
As we head into the heart of conference play, the ACC is starting to take shape - and Duke is sitting exactly where it wants to be. The Blue Devils are not just chasing another ACC crown - they’re making a serious case for the No. 1 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. At 17-1 overall and a perfect 6-0 in conference play, Duke is rolling under Jon Scheyer in his fourth year at the helm.
Let’s break down where each team stands in the ACC as of late January, with some clear separation at the top - and plenty of chaos bubbling beneath it.
1. Duke (17-1, 6-0 ACC)
The Blue Devils are doing what elite teams do: dominating on both ends of the floor. According to KenPom, they’re one of just four teams in the country ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency - a rare and dangerous combination.
After a pair of lopsided wins out west, Duke returns home with momentum and confidence.
Cameron Boozer continues to look like a generational talent. He just swept the ACC’s weekly awards for the fourth time, averaging 25.5 points on a scorching 63.5% shooting, along with 13.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 steals per game.
His KenPom Player of the Year rating (2.501) is right up there with the best in the country, trailing only Cooper Flagg’s mark from last season. With Boozer leading the charge, Duke isn’t just winning - they’re setting the tone for everyone else.
2. Virginia (16-2, 5-1 ACC)
Tony Bennett’s name is about to go up in lights - literally. Virginia will rename the court at John Paul Jones Arena in his honor when UNC visits on Jan. 24, and it’s fitting timing.
This Cavaliers team is playing its best basketball since their 2019 national title run.
Ryan Odom has this group locked in. They’ve picked up key road wins at Louisville and SMU, and they’re doing it with balance and poise. Malik Thomas dropped 23 against the Mustangs, but this team isn’t built around one guy - it’s a collective effort, and that’s what makes them dangerous.
3. Clemson (16-4, 8-1 ACC)
The Tigers hit a bump in the road with an overtime loss to N.C. State, plagued by turnovers and foul trouble.
But don’t count them out - this team has been steady all season with physical defense and timely scoring. Brad Brownell has built a team that knows how to grind out wins, and one slip-up doesn’t erase that.
4. Miami (15-4, 4-2 ACC)
The Hurricanes were flying high until back-to-back losses to Clemson and Florida State brought them back down to earth. The defense has held up - both opponents were kept under 70 - but the offense has gone cold at the wrong time.
Jai Lucas has built a solid defensive identity, but Miami needs more firepower to stay in the top tier of the league.
5. **N.C.
State**
The Wolfpack picked up a statement win at home over Clemson, and it’s the kind of performance that can shift a season.
Will Wade’s squad is starting to click, especially with Darrion Williams playing a more prominent role in the offense. Quadir Copeland protected the ball, and Ven-Allen Lubin continues to be a force inside.
This team’s ceiling is rising.
6. SMU
After a couple of tough losses, the Mustangs have started to steady themselves, winning two of their last three. Offensively, they can hang with anyone in the league.
Defensively? That’s still a work in progress.
Andy Enfield’s group has the talent - now it’s about consistency.
7. UNC (15-4, 3-3 ACC)
The Tar Heels got right against Notre Dame after a rough trip to California, and while that win won’t make headlines, it might be the reset they needed. With a trip to Virginia on deck, we’ll find out quickly if this team is ready to turn the corner or still searching for its identity.
8. Louisville (13-5, 3-3 ACC)
The Cardinals lit up Pitt for 100 points, but they’ve got a brutal stretch ahead with Virginia Tech, Duke, and SMU on the horizon. The return of Mikel Brown Jr. to practice is a welcome sight - they’ll need their floor general back if they want to keep pace in the ACC.
9. Stanford
The Cardinal got thumped by Virginia and Duke, but that win over UNC is keeping them in the NCAA Tournament conversation. Now comes the hard part: building on it.
Stanford has shown flashes - now they need consistency.
10. Virginia Tech
Since their triple-overtime thriller against Virginia, the Hokies have been quiet. But don’t sleep on this group - they’ve got the pieces to make a run and sneak into the March Madness mix if they can string together a few wins.
11. California
The Golden Bears snapped a three-game skid with a wire-to-wire win over UNC - their first ACC win since joining the league. That’s a big moment for the program, and a confidence boost heading into the second half of the season.
12. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons have dropped three of four and now head to Cameron Indoor, where they haven’t won since Tim Duncan was in uniform. That’s a long drought, and with Duke playing like a juggernaut, it’s not likely to end this week.
13. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets are the definition of unpredictable. They’ve knocked off N.C.
State on the road, but they’ve also stumbled in winnable games. Clemson better be on alert - Tech can surprise anyone on any given night.
14. Syracuse
The Orange are slipping. Losses to Boston College and Virginia Tech have them trending in the wrong direction, and the schedule isn’t getting any easier with Miami, N.C.
State, and UNC up next. This could get worse before it gets better.
15. Boston College
Credit where it’s due - the Eagles have climbed out of the basement with back-to-back wins over Syracuse and Pitt. They’re still a long way from contending, but they’ve shown they’re not just a walkover.
16. Florida State
The Seminoles finally got a much-needed Power Five win against Miami. It’s a start, and for Luke Loucks’ squad, it might be the kind of win that loosens things up and gets the team playing freer down the stretch.
17. Pitt
The Panthers are in a tailspin, losing five of their last six. With a trip to N.C.
State coming up, Jeff Capel’s group is desperate for a bounce-back - especially with Capel returning to his home state.
18. Notre Dame
The Irish haven’t recovered since that painful four-point play loss at Cal. They’ve dropped five straight, and the road ahead doesn’t get any easier.
Right now, they’re trying to stop the bleeding.
Bottom Line:
Duke is the clear frontrunner, but Virginia is gaining steam, and Clemson, Miami, and N.C.
State are all dangerous in their own right. With a deep middle tier and some wild-card teams capable of pulling upsets, the ACC is shaping up to be a grind all the way to Selection Sunday.
Buckle up - this ride’s just getting started.