Around the ACC: Week 9

The Blue Devils were handed their second loss in ACC play this week and have to be careful if they want to have a chance at contending for the conference crown:

1. No. 2 Virginia (17-0, 5-0 in the ACC): After handing both Clemson and Boston College a loss this week, Virginia now has its first 6-0 start on the road in 34 years and has people thinking about the glory days of legendary big man Ralph Sampson. Still one of only two undefeated teams, the Cavaliers routed Clemson 65-42 by using a 29-6 second-half run to break the game open. Led by guard Malcolm Brogdon and his 20 points, Virginia also knocked off Boston College on the road Saturday. Anthony Gill chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards as the Cavaliers prevailed 66-51.

2. No. 8 Notre Dame (17-2, 5-1): With the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament if they keep playing like they have been, the Fighting Irish were solid once again as they added two more wins to the record. Notre Dame was able to survive on the road against Georgia Tech 62-59 after Steve Vasturia scored five points in the closing minutes of the game and was one of five Notre Dame players in double figures,The Fighting Irish put Miami away in a similar fashion at home Saturday, where star guard Jerian Grant led the team's rally from a 12-point deficit. Grant had 23 points and eight assists to lead Notre Dame to a 75-70 win.

Although the Fighting Irish notched two wins this week, the biggest story came from the fact that forward Zach Auguste—who averaged 14.3 points and 6.4 rebounds per game—was suspended indefinitely due to academic violations. If he is out for an extended period, Notre Dame could struggle to find points inside against bigger teams.

3. No. 15 North Carolina (14-4, 4-1): After losing a few shocking games at the beginning of the season, it seems that the Tar Heels are back on track as they have won three straight conference games. After N.C. State upset Duke last Sunday, North Carolina’s Marcus Paige thwarted the Wolfpack's momentum as the Tar Heels squeaked out an 81-79 victory at PNC Arena in Raleigh. With a season-high 23 points, Paige went 5-of-5 from beyond the arc and North Carolina took down one of its in-state rivals.

The Tar Heels then hosted Virginia Tech Sunday at the Dean Dome, where they cruised to a 68-53 win despite not playing their best basketball. Justin Jackson scored 16 points and Brice Johnson posted a double-double in the win and although head coach Roy Williams was not pleased with the performance, North Carolina looks to be improving steadily as the year progresses.

4. Syracuse (13-5, 4-1): Sitting at fourth in the ACC, the Orange went 1-1 this week as they played both a thrilling game and a disappointing game. The shining star of the team, senior forward Rakeem Christmas, scored a career-high 35 points against Wake Forest in their 86-83 overtime win Tuesday. Although Christmas was able to put up a game-high of 21 points against Clemson as well Saturday, the Tigers were too strong for Syracuse and handed them their first ACC loss of the season 66-53. The Orange scored just 18 points in the first half and never found a rhythm on the road and will host Miami and Boston College this week looking to bounce back.

5. N.C. State (13-6, 4-2): After a huge week that included a defeat over the then-No. 2 Blue Devils, the Wolfpack played well again against the Tar Heels but suffered their second ACC loss after losing a nail-biter 81-79 at home. N.C. State was able to bounce back and hold off Florida State Saturday, though. After once leading by 19 points, the Wolfpack escaped with a 72-63 win thanks to a combined 32 points from team leaders Trevor Lacey and Ralston Turner.

9. Miami (12-5, 2-2): It was a big week for the Hurricanes, who handed the Blue Devils a home-court loss in dominating fashion. Angel Rodriguez showed no stage fright at Cameron Indoor Stadium, posting a game-high 24 points, draining four 3-pointers and adding five assists in the 90-74 romp. This, however, was followed by a disappointing 75-70 loss at Notre Dame as the Fighting Irish played tight perimeter defense on the Miami star. Rodriguez was held to 1-of-10 shooting as Notre Dame used a strong second half to claim the victory.

10. Clemson (10-7, 2-3): The Tigers have not had much to smile about this season, which is why their 66-53 win against Syracuse surely felt sweet. Clemson took a commanding 39-18 lead into the locker room and got 16 points from freshman Donte Grantham in the victory. The Tigers could have used Grantham's hot shooting earlier in the week against Virginia, though, as the Cavaliers dominated Clemson 65-42 Tuesday thanks to another staunch defensive effort.

11. Florida State (9-9, 1-4): It was another tough week for the Seminoles, who suffered nine-point losses to both N.C. State and Pittsburgh. Head coach Leonard Hamilton's squad has had a rough go of it this season and is running out of time to turn things around in a crowded ACC.

12. Wake Forest (9-9, 1-4): As it gets set to host North Carolina Wednesday, Wake Forest has to be wondering what could have been. After pushing Louisville and Duke to the brink, the Demon Deacons nearly took down Syracuse Tuesday before falling 86-83 in an overtime thriller. Freshman Konstantinos Mitoglou had a breakout game with 26 points thanks to his ability to shoot from distance as a big man and dynamic guard Codi Miller-McIntyre added 24 in the disappointing loss.

13. Boston College (8-8, 0-4): The Eagles took a break from conference action by hosting Harvard Wednesday and got a much-needed win, knocking off the Crimson 64-57 in overtime. Harvard had won six straight in the rivalry, but Boston College star Olivier Hanlan scored 17 points and had a few clutch baskets as the Eagles prevailed. Head coach Tommy Amaker's Crimson shot just 31.7 percent in the loss. Boston College then played Virginia Saturday and just as was the case when the Cavaliers hosted Harvard, the results weren't pretty. The Cavaliers held the Eagles to 51 points and used a 35-20 rebounding edge to secure a solid 66-51 victory.

14. Virginia Tech (8-9, 0-4): The Hokies had the misfortune of playing Louisville and North Carolina with their squad still ravaged by injury and were unable to make much head way, falling by 15 to the two historic programs. Leading scorer Justin Bibbs missed the game with the Tar Heels Sunday due to a concussion, which could make head coach Buzz Williams' job even harder in his first season in Blacksburg.

15. Georgia Tech (9-8, 0-5): It is mystifying that the Yellow Jackets still find themselves at the bottom of the ACC standings. Georgia Tech has lost all of its conference games by seven or less points and taken Notre Dame down to the wire twice. One such occurrence came Wednesday at home, when the Fighting Irish were the ones making plays late as they did when the teams met in a double-overtime matchup Jan. 3. Georgia Tech was done in by a late drought against Pittsburgh Saturday and once again came up short, falling 70-65. The Yellow Jackets have to play at Virginia Thursday, but could get their first ACC win Sunday against Boston College.