Caleb Wilson, UNC Basketball Lead ACC Power Rankings Before 2026 New Year

Bassyonni

ago 1 day

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) basketball season is set to heat up as teams transition from nonconference games to league play. With many squads establishing their strategies, the battle for the conference championship has begun. Notable early contenders include the No. 5 Duke, No. 12 North Carolina (UNC), No. 13 Louisville, and No. 21 Virginia. As of December 30, only nine teams remain in the top 50 of the NCAA Evaluation Tool (NET) rankings.

ACC Power Rankings Before 2026

Current standings and performances as of December 30 reflect the highly competitive nature of the ACC for the 2025-26 season. The following teams are leading the power rankings:

1. North Carolina (UNC) – The Tar Heels are driven by standout players Caleb Wilson, Henri Veesaar, and Seth Trimble. With an impressive record of 13-1, they have not lost since Thanksgiving. They have a significant match against SMU to open the new year.
2. Duke – The Blue Devils, with a 11-1 record, face challenges following a loss to Texas Tech. They aim to bounce back against Georgia Tech and Florida State before a crucial game against Louisville on January 6.
3. Louisville – Currently boasting a 10-2 record, the Cardinals started strong with a win in California and are set to play Stanford next. Key player Mikel Brown Jr. may return soon.
4. Virginia – The Cavaliers have impressed in their debut season under head coach Ryan Odom. Their road game against N.C. State is pivotal for their NCAA Tournament ambitions.
5. Clemson – The Tigers have lost some key opportunities in nonconference play but remain strong with a chance to improve against less challenging opponents early in the ACC schedule.
6. Miami – Defensively solid under coach Jai Lucas, the Hurricanes will need to perform well on the road during their initial games in conference play.
7. SMU – The Mustangs are looking to improve on their previous season’s performance with matches against quality teams like UNC, Clemson, and Duke coming up.
8. N.C. State – After a mediocre 9-4 nonconference record, the Wolfpack must secure wins against Wake Forest and Virginia to shift their fortunes.
9. California – With a challenging January schedule ahead, California’s early tests against Virginia, Louisville, Duke, and UNC will define its season.
10. Wake Forest – Recent struggles against top teams highlight the need for a turnaround as they prepare to face N.C. State.
11. Virginia Tech – With key road games ahead, the Hokies seek to establish themselves as serious contenders.
12. Notre Dame – A serious injury to Markus Burton poses challenges for the Irish in maintaining competitiveness.
13. Stanford – The Cardinal will host several crucial games early in the month but must leverage home-court advantage effectively.
14. Syracuse – In dire need of redemption, Syracuse can improve with a victory against Clemson.
15. Pittsburgh – The Panthers look to build on their recent momentum against challenging opponents like Miami and Clemson.
16. Georgia Tech – Projections are grim for the Yellow Jackets, who have found the season particularly challenging.
17. Florida State – The Seminoles face struggles in surpassing their projected win total this season.
18. Boston College – With forecasted difficulties, the Eagles have yet to demonstrate potential in conference play.