ACC Basketball Power Rankings (Feb. 12): Duke Still Leads the Pack, But the Pressure Is Building
Duke’s only ACC loss this season lasted all of 0.4 seconds - but it was a brutal 0.4 seconds, especially when it came at the hands of their biggest rival, North Carolina. Still, the Blue Devils are sitting pretty atop the conference, and with seven games left in the regular season - including matchups against several contenders and a heavyweight nonconference tilt with No. 2 Michigan - the stretch run is loaded with opportunity and risk.
Let’s dive into where each team stands as we hit the second week of February in the 2025-26 college basketball season.
1. Duke (22-2, 11-1 ACC)
Duke has won 30 of its last 32 ACC games - that’s not just dominance, that’s a program in full control of the conference. Cameron Boozer continues to carry the torch as the team’s focal point, but the Blue Devils will need more consistency from the supporting cast, especially with Pat Ngongba nursing a wrist injury.
The next test? No.
20 Clemson at Cameron Indoor. A win there gives Duke even more breathing room atop the standings.
Right now, they’re still the team to beat in the ACC and a strong candidate for a No. 1 seed come March.
2. Virginia
The Cavaliers are lurking. Ranked No. 15 nationally, Virginia has the depth and discipline to make a real push.
Jacari White’s 19-point outburst in a comeback win at Florida State was just the latest example of how many different ways this team can beat you. They don’t see Duke until the final day of February, but a nonconference showdown with Ohio State in Nashville could give their résumé a serious boost.
If anyone’s built to grind their way to the top, it’s Tony Bennett’s squad.
3. Clemson
The Tigers are still trying to solve the Duke puzzle. For the second straight season, Clemson got tripped up in a trap game before facing the Blue Devils.
This time, they’ll have to try and take down Duke in Durham - no easy task. Brad Brownell’s defense is as stingy as ever, but the offense needs to find another gear if Clemson wants to notch its biggest win of the season.
They’re 1-2 against ranked opponents, and that number needs to improve if they want to stay in the top tier.
4. North Carolina
The Tar Heels are still figuring out how to string wins together. After beating Duke, they fell to Miami - making them 2-3 in games following a win over the Blue Devils under Hubert Davis.
That inconsistency is holding them back, even though they’re 4-1 against ranked teams. The wrist injury to Caleb Wilson doesn’t appear serious, but UNC needs him at full strength for a crucial matchup at N.C.
State. If they’re going to make a run, it starts with putting together some back-to-back performances.
5. Miami
The Hurricanes got their signature win by knocking off UNC, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Jai Lucas in his debut season. Miami knows exactly who it is - a team that wants to win in the paint and wear you down defensively.
Malik Reneau leads the way, but now the Canes need to prove they can follow up a big win with another. A road test at N.C.
State looms large.
6. Louisville
Talk about a bounce-back. After getting blown out by Duke, Louisville has ripped off four straight wins.
Mikel Brown made history by setting the ACC freshman scoring record in a rout of N.C. State, and the Cardinals are suddenly surging.
Next up: a nonconference clash with Baylor in Fort Worth. If they can keep the momentum going, Louisville could become a real threat in March.
7. N.C. State
The Wolfpack had won six straight before running into a buzzsaw in Louisville. That loss wasn’t just a setback - it was a wake-up call.
N.C. State is just 1-4 against ranked opponents, and they’ll have a chance to flip that narrative with upcoming home games against Miami and UNC.
The metrics still like this team, but now it’s about showing up when it matters most.
8. SMU
The Mustangs have some quality wins on the résumé - including victories over Texas A&M and UNC - but they’ve struggled to maintain momentum, dropping five games to other NCAA Tournament-caliber teams in the ACC. Boopie Miller will need to lead the charge down the stretch if SMU wants to stay in the hunt.
9. Virginia Tech
The Hokies couldn’t get it done against Duke or N.C. State, but a road win at Clemson keeps them in the mix for an at-large bid. They’ve shown flashes, but consistency will be key down the stretch.
10. Florida State
Don’t look now, but the Seminoles are quietly putting together a strong second half. Luke Loucks has guided the team to wins in three of the last four, and the lone loss was a tight one against Virginia. FSU is trending in the right direction - and could be a sleeper come ACC Tournament time.
11. Cal
The Golden Bears are coming off a gut-punch double-overtime loss at Syracuse. They’ve got winnable games ahead, but if they’re going to make noise, it’ll have to happen in Charlotte during the ACC Tournament.
12. Syracuse
The Orange pulled out that double-overtime thriller against Cal, but the big picture remains murky. Syracuse is spinning its wheels, and it feels like change is on the horizon.
13. Stanford
The Cardinal have wins over a couple of the league’s bottom teams, but nothing notable since they upset UNC back in mid-January. They’ll need to stack more meaningful wins to climb out of the cellar.
14. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons finally snapped a five-game skid with a win at Georgia Tech. Juke Harris is talented enough to keep Wake in the fight, but time is running out to make a move.
15. Boston College
The Eagles are stuck in a five-game losing streak and are trending toward missing the ACC Tournament. They’ll need a major turnaround to avoid that fate.
16. Pitt
The Panthers have just two wins in 2026. That says it all.
17. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets stunned N.C. State earlier this season, but followed it up with six straight losses. They’re in freefall.
18. Notre Dame
The Irish have one win in 2026. It’s been a long season in South Bend.
Bottom Line:
Duke remains the gold standard in the ACC, but the margin for error is shrinking.
Virginia’s depth, Clemson’s defense, and UNC’s upside all present real challenges. And with teams like Miami, Louisville, and N.C.
State still capable of shaking things up, the final stretch of the regular season promises drama, intensity, and plenty of movement in the standings. Buckle up - March is coming fast.