ACC Basketball Power Rankings: UNC Leads the Pack as Conference Play Tips Off
The nonconference warmups are in the rearview, and now it’s time for the real grind - ACC play is here. With 18 teams in the mix this season, the race for the conference crown is wide open, but a few early contenders are already starting to separate from the pack.
As of December 30, nine teams sit inside the top 50 of the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings - a strong early indicator of NCAA Tournament potential. Duke, UNC, Louisville, and Virginia look like safe bets for March, but programs like SMU, N.C. State, Miami, Clemson, and California are lurking with resumes that could punch their ticket with a strong showing in league play.
Here’s how the ACC stacks up heading into 2026, with power rankings based on games through December 30:
1. North Carolina (13-1)
The Tar Heels have found their rhythm, and they’re doing it behind a balanced core of Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar, and Seth Trimble. Since a Thanksgiving Day stumble, they’ve been locked in.
This group plays with poise, and right now, they look like the most reliable squad in the ACC. With a major road test at SMU to kick off January, UNC can add another big win to an already impressive résumé.
2. Duke (11-1)
The Blue Devils have the talent and the record to back up their top-tier status, but the loss to Texas Tech still lingers - not just because of the result, but the way it unfolded. Cameron Boozer continues to shine, but Duke needs a consistent second scoring option to emerge.
Upcoming games against Georgia Tech and Florida State should be confidence boosters before a marquee matchup at Louisville on January 6.
3. Louisville (10-2)
The Cardinals started their West Coast swing with a statement win over California and will wrap it up against Stanford before returning home. A rematch with Duke - a flashback to last season’s ACC title game - looms large.
Mikel Brown Jr.’s expected return is a boost, but Kasean Pryor remains sidelined. If Louisville can weather the injury storm, they’ll be right in the thick of the title hunt.
4. Virginia (11-1)
Under first-year head coach Ryan Odom, the Cavaliers are quietly building something special. Their disciplined, defensive identity hasn’t wavered, and they’ve handled business through the nonconference slate.
A road trip to N.C. State opens their ACC campaign - a matchup that could carry serious weight come Selection Sunday.
5. Clemson (10-3)
The Tigers didn’t capitalize on every opportunity in nonconference play, but they did enough to stay in the mix. With a favorable stretch of games to start ACC action, Clemson has a real shot to build momentum before tougher tests against Miami and N.C.
State later in January.
6. Miami (12-2)
The Hurricanes are bringing the heat on the defensive end under first-year head coach Jai Lucas. That identity will be tested early - three of their first four ACC games are on the road.
Games against Clemson and Wake Forest will be early indicators of how far this group can go.
7. SMU (11-2)
Last year, the Mustangs couldn’t quite break through against top-tier opponents - and it cost them a tourney bid. This time, they won’t have to wait long for chances.
UNC, Clemson, and Duke are all coming up next. If SMU wants to prove it belongs, the opportunity is right in front of them.
**8. N.C.
State (9-4)**
The Wolfpack’s nonconference showing left something to be desired, but the reset button is here.
They’ll open ACC play with home games against Wake Forest and Virginia - two chances to shift the narrative and regain momentum. If they want to stay on the NCAA Tournament bubble, it starts now.
9. California (11-2)
The Golden Bears have a gauntlet ahead: Virginia, Louisville, Duke, and UNC - all in the first six games of January. They already dropped the first test to Louisville, so the pressure’s on.
We’ll find out quickly whether Cal’s hot start was for real or fool’s gold.
10. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons have taken some tough losses lately, including a pair of blowouts against top-tier teams. A road win at N.C.
State would be a much-needed tone-setter. Steve Forbes needs this group to rediscover its identity - and fast.
11. Virginia Tech
The Hokies have talent, but they’re still searching for a signature win. Road trips to Virginia and Wake Forest to open conference play will be telling.
If they can steal one, it could change the trajectory of their season.
12. Notre Dame
Markus Burton’s injury casts a shadow over the Irish’s season. Without him, it’s hard to see a clear path forward.
The early stretch of ACC play is unforgiving, and Notre Dame needs someone to step up in Burton’s absence.
13. Stanford
The Cardinal has a golden opportunity with five of its first seven ACC games at home - including visits from UNC, Duke, and Louisville. If Stanford wants to make noise in its first ACC season, it has to capitalize on this stretch.
14. Syracuse
The Orange have a chance to flip the script with a New Year’s Eve matchup against Clemson, but there’s one glaring issue: they’re the worst free-throw shooting team in the country at 59%. That’s not just a stat - it’s a liability in close games.
15. Pittsburgh
The Panthers found a spark with a blowout win over Penn State, but now comes the real test. They’ll open league play against Miami and Clemson - two teams with real postseason aspirations.
If Pitt wants to climb the standings, it has to start strong.
16. Georgia Tech
It’s been a tough start for Damon Stoudamire’s squad. According to KenPom, the Yellow Jackets are favored in just two of their 18 conference games.
That’s a steep hill to climb, and they’ll need to pull off a few surprises to shift the outlook.
17. Florida State
Luke Loucks has brought an uptempo style to Tallahassee, but the Seminoles just don’t have the roster to make it work yet. Like Georgia Tech, they’re only projected to win two league games.
The rebuild is clearly still in progress.
18. Boston College
The Eagles are staring down a winless ACC campaign, at least based on projections - and their nonconference play didn’t do much to challenge that outlook. It’s been a rough go, and unless something changes quickly, it might stay that way.
Final Word:
The ACC is deep, unpredictable, and full of potential storylines as we head into 2026.
UNC looks like the team to beat, but Duke, Louisville, and Virginia are all within striking distance. And with programs like SMU, Miami, and Clemson lurking, the middle of the pack could be just as chaotic - and just as important - as the top.
Buckle up. ACC play is here.