The 2024-25 ACC regular season is over and now it's time for the best time of the year, conference tournament madness. This season, three teams will not be in Charlotte for the ACC Tournament after the additions of California, SMU and Stanford. Those three first-year members are all going to be part of the five-day tourney at the Spectrum Center.
If there was one thing that we learned this season, is that the ACC is a top-heavy league and it wouldn't be surprising if Duke, Louisville, or Clemson walked away the winner when all is said and done. With that said, let's fire up the final regular season men's basketball power rankings.
ACC Men's Basketball Power Rankings: March 9
Miami rallied against NC State on Saturday to close out the season on a high note under Bill Courtney. The Jai Lucas era is now underway in South Florida.
The Eagles closed out the season in ugly fashion at Pittsburgh, but Jeff Goodman reported that Earl Grant will return in 2025-26.
It's hard to believe, but the Wolfpack won't be in Charlotte this week to defend their ACC Championship from last season. Allowing the Hurricanes to rally on Saturday to close out the season with a loss was kind of fitting of the way things have gone this season. They did the same thing against Virginia Tech in January. On Sunday, they fired Kevin Keatts. What a 12 months in Raleigh.
The Golden Bears dropped a four-overtime regular season final at Notre Dame to be locked in to the 15th seed in their first ACC Tournament this week. They will open with Virginia Tech.
The Orange bump up a spot after splitting their games last week, ending it with a win over Virginia at home.
The Hokies tumbled this week after getting blown out at home by North Carolina, then losing by 18 at Clemson. They get Cal in the ACC Tournament, a team they beat in January on the west coast.
Notre Dame closed out the regular season sweeping Stanford and Cal, winning the latter game in four overtimes on Saturday.
After beating FSU at home, the Cavaliers dropped their final regular season game at Syracuse, however, they get a first-round bye in the ACC Tournament as the ninth-seed.
After losing at NC State, the Panthers throttled Boston College at home on Saturday to head into the ACC Tournament on a high note.
Leonard Hamilton picked up ACC win No. 200 on Saturday when the Seminoles took down SMU at home in his final regular season home game.
The Yellow Jackets get the No. 8 seed and a second round. matchup with Virginia with a potential date with Duke in the quarterfinals.
The Cardinal received a bye in their first ACC Tournament and await the winner of Virginia Tech/Cal in the second round after dropping two straight on the road at Louisville and Notre Dame.
The Tar Heels could have picked up a major résumé building win against Duke at home on Saturday night, but a second half collapse leaves them needing to likely win at least two games, if not three, in the ACC Tournament this week to get into the 68-team field.
After surviving Syracuse at home, the Mustangs suffered a disappointing loss at FSU ahead of their first ACC Tournament.
Despite being blown out at Duke, the Demon Deacons rallied to roll over Georgia Tech to secure the fourth and final double bye in Charlotte.
The Tigers will be the third seed in Charlotte and enter the ACC Tournament on an eight-game winning streak after beating BC and Virginia Tech.
What a first season for Pat Kelsey at Louisville. The Cardinals enter the ACC Tournament with the longest winning streak at nine games. That's right, that's one more than what Duke is currently on.
Again, was there any doubt who would be here? It would be stunning if the Blue Devils are not in the championship game Saturday night in Charlotte.