ACC Power Rankings: Special December Edition

Our ACC power rankings will start weekly in January but for now a special December treat looking at the pre-Holiday non league play.

1- Duke

I think this is the best team in America. Gerald Henderson has developed his game to new heights, and DeMarcus Nelson continues to be a force. Have you seen a freshman like Kyle Singler lately?

2- Boston College

The media loves to write off Al Skinner's team. Well once again they were wrong. Corey Raji is a good looking freshman and Tyresse Rise continues to be a sharpshooter. Also, don't discount the contributions of bulky and tough senior John Oats whose best work doesn't show up on the stats sheet. Just because guys weren't ranked high by rivals.com coming out of high school doesn't mean a good coach like Skinner can't get them to play in the ACC.

3- North Carolina

I'm annoyed by all the hype about this team. I'm annoyed by the mid majors who play this team close and suddenly are ranked the next week. (And thus keep ACC teams like Miami, Virginia and NC State near the top of the others receiving votes category). Tyler Hansbrough continues to be a great one, but his supporting cast though talented is inconsistent and dare I say it, undisciplined.

4- Clemson

Hammonds, Mays, Rivers. The most athletic threesome in the nation, and one of the best combinations around.

5- Miami

The Canes have the best frontline in the league outside of Durham, but the point guard situation continues to hobble this team as it has for almost ten years now. Why Miami can never keep good ball handlers in the program is a great mystery.

6- Virginia

Sean Singletary is still the best shooter in the league, and Dave Leito's team will be force come March. Great gutty win versus Arizona in Tuscon.

7- NC State

Brandon Costner is a nice player but this team has underwhelmed thus far.

8- Florida State

A great backcourt combined with a frontcourt that couldn't even be successful at the low major level. Is that a formula for success in the ACC?

9- Virginia Tech

An almost completely new starting lineup has the media and others writing off Seth Greenberg's bunch: But Greenberg's teams always play tough defense and make good decisions in the half court offense. This will be a tough win for any ACC team.

10- Georgia Tech

I'm really not sure how good a coach Paul Hewitt is. It seems like Tech has one very good year and then follows it up with one very poor year. This season appears to fit that pattern.

11- Maryland

Greivis Vasquez is turnover prone, James Gist hasn't progressed and Bambale Osby doesn't impress me. Want a read on where Maryland Basketball appears to be headed? Watch Florida State or Miami Football. Champs to Chumps in a slow painful multi year regression.

12- Wake Forest

I really thought this young bunch would play with more emotion for the dearly departed Skip Prosser. They just appear to be too overmatched.