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ESPN Ranks ACC Basketball Teams for Week 17
Duke and Virginia lead the way as conference tournament approaches
Feb. 25, 2026 at 6:03pm
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ESPN has used its Basketball Power Index (BPI) to rank every team in the ACC heading into Week 17 of the college basketball season. Duke and Virginia are at the top of the standings, with the Blue Devils holding a one-game lead over the Cavaliers. Miami, North Carolina, Clemson, and NC State are all within four games of the leaders. The top four teams in the league will earn a double-bye in the ACC Tournament, so there's plenty at stake over the final two weeks of the regular season.
Why it matters
With the conference tournament and NCAA Tournament just around the corner, these rankings provide insight into the state of the ACC and which teams have the best chance of earning favorable seeding and postseason positioning. The race for the top spots and double-byes in the ACC Tournament is particularly tight, adding extra importance to the final regular season games.
The details
Duke, led by likely 2026 NBA Draft top pick Cameron Booker, sits atop the rankings at No. 1 in the BPI. They are followed by Louisville at No. 2 and Virginia at No. 3. NC State, North Carolina, and Clemson are all tied for fourth place in the ACC standings. Miami is in third place, while Wake Forest and Virginia Tech round out the top half of the rankings despite their lower conference records.
- The regular season is winding down, with conference tournaments just a couple weeks away.
- Duke and Virginia are set to face off in a pivotal game on Saturday, February 25th.
The players
Cameron Booker
A likely top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Booker leads Duke in scoring, rebounding, and assists.
Mikel Brown Jr.
The key scoring piece for Louisville, averaging 18.9 points and 4.8 assists per game.
Thijs De Ridder
Virginia's leading scorer, averaging 16.0 points per game.
Caleb Wilson
North Carolina's injured star player who appears to be nearing his return.
Boopie Miller
SMU's leading scorer, averaging 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
What’s next
The final two weeks of the regular season will be crucial, with teams jockeying for position in the ACC standings and looking to secure NCAA Tournament bids. The race for the double-byes in the ACC Tournament will be particularly intense.
The takeaway
The ACC is shaping up to be a highly competitive conference as the postseason approaches, with Duke and Virginia leading the way but several other teams in the mix for top spots and NCAA Tournament positioning. The final stretch of the regular season promises to be an exciting one for ACC basketball fans.
