ACC basketball rankings: Duke remains on top, Syracuse stays put, Boston College didn’t fool anyone

Ladies and gents, week two of college basketball has come and gone. As such, another week of ACC basketball is also in the books, so you know what that means. That’s right. The preeminent, definitive ACC basketball rankings are back.

As was written on the first stone tablet carried down by Moses from Mount Sinai: “Thou shall rank ACC basketball teams every Monday from November to March.”

Don’t mind me, I’m just following orders.

As always, these rankings are completely arbitrary and are backed by no methodology. They are to be taken literally, seriously and in the highest regard.

1) Duke (4-0, 0-0)

Duke was the top ranked team in last week’s ACC basketball rankings and did nothing to lose its status there. After dropping Central Arkansas and Georgia State like bad habits, Coach K’s team moved to 4-0 on the season. Vernon Carey is starting to look like the player he’s destined to be be but Jack White’s 3-point shooting percentage isn’t even as high as Tre Jones’s point total against Georgia State.

Worth mentioning: After Duke dropped Kansas from the No. 1 AP rank in week one and Kentucky falling to Evansville last Tuesday, we could set an incredible precedent by having the No. 1 ranked team go down in college basketball every week. Don’t look now, but ...

*checks Duke schedule*

*thinks*

Cal could finally get right back in this. Don’t screw this up, Golden Bears.

Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

2) Louisville (4-0, 1-0)

If Louisville isn’t careful, it’s going to put on some lbs before the holidays loading up on all these cupcakes. Outside of the league-scheduled Miami game, Louisville hasn’t played a top-150 KenPom team and won’t do so until Western Kentucky comes to town at the end of the month. The Cardinals took down Indiana State and North Carolina Central last week to get to 4-0.

Still, Chris Mack’s team looks dominant. If having bona fide bucket Jordan Nwora back wasn’t scary enough, consider that the Cardinals have a bunch of linebackers playing in its front court. Steven Enoch is a bully in the paint, Dwayne Sutton does whatever it takes to win and they already have Hulk big heads in the KFC Yum! Center for Aidan Igiehon.

In the backcourt, Darius Perry is dropping dimes, Ryan McMahon is making shots and highly touted freshman Samuell Williamson looks like a stud.

One thing is for sure. The South Carolina Upstate Spartans aren’t going to know what hit them this Wednesday.

3) North Carolina (3-0, 1-0)

The North Carolina Cole Anthonys only had one game last week, which was a 77-61 win over Gardner-Webb. Anthony went out and dropped a 28-piece on the Bulldogs and fellow freshman phenom Armando Bacot had his best game thus far: a double-double effort with 12 points and 11 rees.

No individual Tar Heel has taken even half the amount of shots as Anthony. It’s time for opposing coaches to break out the box-and-one.

*checks North Carolina rebounding numbers*

Just kidding.

4) Virginia (3-0, 1-0)

Virginia picked up a win on Saturday over Mike Smith and Columbia by holding them to just 42 points. Jay Huff was out there having fun, throwing down absurd dunks and rejecting shots at the rim.

Kihei Clark also managed to throw some subtle shade at Syracuse after the affair.

Well played, Kihei. Well played.

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We interrupt these rankings to bring you ACC basketball trivia brought to you in part by Bojangles and New York Life: Be Good At Life.

The answer to the trivia question will be found at the bottom of this post. Do not look at the bottom before answering the trivia question. That’s cheating. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.

5) Florida State (2-1, 0-1)

Florida State’s win over Florida lost its luster a bit after the Gators went on the road and lost to noted mid-major UConn. The Seminoles were also playing with a bit of fire by keeping the Northwest Idaho Jackrabbits in the game on Friday night before winning 79-74.

Just kidding, it was actually the Western Carolina Catamounts on Friday but that’s my point. Florida State let an irrelevant team that you’ve never heard of hang around on its home floor. MJ Walker, Trent Forest and Devin Vassell are going to need to get some help from the front court if it wants to remain in the No. 5 spot next week.

6) NC State (3-1, 0-1)

State picked up wins against Florida International and St. Francis last week.

Can anybody slow down CJ Bryce? He leads NC State in both scoring and rebounding.

The actual answer to the ACC basketball trivia question was Frank Kaminsky. For all you cheaters that scrolled down to the bottom of the page and picked Moses Malone, the joke is on you. Don’t be a cheater.

7) Notre Dame (3-1, 0-1)

Notre Dame picked up a pair of wins last week over Howard and Marshall. John Mooney is an absolute beast as he dropped 46 points and hauled in 32 rebounds in those two games. Dane Goodwin also posted 11 points in each game.

8) Syracuse (2-1, 0-1)

Like many teams above, Syracuse went 2-0 last week. The Orange beat Colgate on Wednesday and Seattle on Saturday.

You could not fathom having a more upstate New York starting backcourt with guys named Joe and Buddy as the starting guards. They just might be the best backcourt beyond the 3-point line, too.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

9) Miami (3-1, 0-1)

What is it with Florida teams not being able to put together solid front courts?

Miami picked up a pair of wins as its guards once again did all the heavy lifting. The top four scorers at The U reached double figures in both games as Chris Lykes, DJ Vasiljevic, Kam McGusty and Harlond Beverly showed out.

I don’t think people quite understand just how good Vasiljevic is. He’s one of the best shooters in the league and managed a double-double against Quinnipiac.

McGusty, an Oklahoma transfer, is making a name for himself in Coral Gables, too. If he keeps playing like this, he’ll make a name for himself in the ACC.

10) Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0)

Michael Devoe balled out against Elon, posting 22 points for the second time in as many games this season. James Banks did James Banks things.

An interesting matchup awaits at Georgia as Georgia Tech squares off against projected top 2020 NBA Draft pick Anthony Edwards.

Michael Shroyer-USA TODAY Sports

11) Virginia Tech (4-0, 1-0)

Landers Nolley. Know the name.

12) Clemson (3-1, 0-1)

Like NC State, Clemson survived the Antoine Davis show of Detroit. The Tigers forced Davis into 10 turnovers and earned a win in the process. They move up a spot this week.

13) Pittsburgh (2-2, 1-0)

Pittsburgh drops one spot in the rankings after handling Robert Morris but falling at home to West Virginia.

Trey McGowens is a good player, but he’s going to need some help.

14) Boston College (3-1, 1-0)

Last week I ranked Boston College at No. 14 despite its 2-0 record. Those two early wins were fools gold and everyone knew it.

Well, lo and behold, Boston College let Belmont score 100 points on Saturday and the Eagles took an L.

Senior big man Nik Popvic’s best memories at Boston College just might be going out to eat by the time this year is over.

15) Wake Forest (2-2, 0-1)

Wake Forest is one fluky Brandon Childress jumpshot away from a possible 1-3 record. After taking an L to Boston College and beating Columbia on a game-winner in week one, Wake beat UNC Asheville and lost to Charlotte on Sunday night.

It won’t get much easier for Wake as Davidson looms on the schedule, as does a trip to State College, PA.

Answer to the ACC basketball trivia question: Moses Malone

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