The Top 5
North Carolina (LW:1) 18-3 (6-1)
The Tar Heels will likely remain atop this list for the next few weeks, barring a major upset. They don’t play another ranked team until February 3rd. This week they were able to dismantle Syracuse at home and pull away at the end against Boston College. Carolina should stay atop the ACC this week by playing Virginia Tech, although a road game at Miami may be tough. Being the lone ACC team to defeat Florida State means even more after the week the Seminoles had.
Florida State (LW:4) 18-2 (6-1)
FSU is for real. Granted they got them both at home, but the Seminoles were able to defeat both Notre Dame and Louisville, who were number two and three in these rankings last week, respectively. The Noles will have to go on the road for a pair of away games this week against Georgia Tech and Syracuse. The wins were convincing enough to crown Florida State as contenders for the Final Four and the ACC Championship.
Notre Dame (LW:2) 17-3 (6-1)
Not going to penalize Notre Dame too much for a close loss on the road against Florida State here. The Irish have shown that they are one of the better teams in the ACC thus far. Notre Dame was able to rebound off the loss by dismembering a struggling Syracuse team on Saturday. This week FSU will have Virginia and Georgia Tech to look forward to.
Virginia (LW:5) 15-3 (5-2)
This London Perrentes-led Cavaliers team may not be as dominant as they have been the past few, but they are starting to hit their stride. In the next few days they will have to pull out some big wins, on the road against Notre Dame and Villanova, in a non-conference matchup.
Louisville (LW:3) 16-4 (4-3)
Lastly, we have the Louisville Cardinals staying in the rankings. The loss to Florida State hurts their chances at an ACC title, but absolutely destroying Clemson helps their case to be in the upper echelon. I apologize to Duke here, as they may be finally turning things around, but time will tell.
Team of the Week: Florida State Seminoles
Florida State was able to pull off two big wins at home, against the likes of Lousiville and Notre Dame this week. This concluded a stretch for the Noles of 6 straight games against the top 25, a stretch in which they won 5 of 6.
Performance of the Week: Jonathan Isaac, Florida State (23 points, 10 rebounds, 7 blocks, 7-7 FT, 2-2 3Pt vs. Notre Dame)
Play of the Week: Matt Farrell pass to VJ Beachum slam
Game to Watch: #12 Virginia at #14 Notre Dame
