ACC Hardcourt Roundup: Dec. 31st-Jan. 6th

It’s finally a new year and that means we are only a couple months away from March Madness. This is the part of the year where conference play kicks off and the top teams start to separate themselves from the pack. The younger teams will get a chance to develop, while seasoned vets attempt to increase their draft stock. The ACC boasts the most current top 25 teams in Division One basketball with six teams, which could produce the most top seeds by March Madness time.

Key Match-ups:

#24 Florida State 81, #12 North Carolina 80

Analysis: The #12 Tar Heels struggled in this matchup, as they couldn’t stop the Seminoles from three-point land. Joel Berry was again a factor as to why the Heels were still in this game late with 28 total points. The Seminoles extend their conference home record to 28 games, and while the Seminoles and Heels shot the same from beyond the arc, Florida State was 14 of 22, while the Heels only made 7 of 9.

Georgia Tech 64, #15 Miami 54

Analysis: Georgia Tech (7-7) pulled off an improbable victory against #15 Miami. Even though they have a .500 record, they moved to fourth in conference standings, and that’s all that matters for a team like that. Josh Okogie scored a team-high 30 points for the Yellow Jackets. The Hurricanes committed a team-high 18 turnovers (which is never good), and missed 11 of 13 shots attempted in the second half.

Hot take of the week: UNC has lost two conference games in a row, both to nationally-ranked opponents. They should expect to drop out of the top 25 this week, as their team looks very inexperienced in early conference play; they will have to earn that ranking back. Notre Dame, Clemson and Virginia remain the only undefeated teams in the conference, which is a different but needed change in the ACC that provides more competition and ultimately creates stronger teams for March madness.

Top 5 standings:

1. Notre Dame
2. Clemson
3. Virgina
4. Georgia Tech
5. Miami Fl