Cameron Boozer, Duke basketball remain atop ACC power rankings

The first week of December could be very important for the ACC as it relates to March Madness.

It’s time for the ACC/SEC Challenge, which put a stain on the historically-great league last season as the ACC lost 14 of 16 games in the event and went on to put just four teams in the NCAA Tournament.

The ACC lost 11 games in the 2024 ACC/SEC Challenge by double digits, including five by 20 or more points. The league’s two wins were by four and six, courtesy of Duke and Clemson in home games.

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Duke vs. Florida, UNC at Kentucky, Louisville at Arkansas and N.C. State at Auburn are the key matchups involving the ACC’s top-25 teams. With results from the latest week complete, here’s a look at how ACC teams stack up against each other as we enter December:

Rankings based on games through Nov. 29

ACC basketball power rankings

Here are the power rankings entering the first week of December in the 2025-26 college basketball season.

1. Duke

The Blue Devils are 8-0 and arguably have the best player in the nation, though it’d be tough to argue against freshman Cam Boozer, who had 35 points on 18 shots in a comeback top-25 win against Arkansas on Thanksgiving Day. Boozer’s numbers and effectiveness aren’t a surprise, but if Jon Scheyer can get a consistent version of Caleb Foster, who had 15 points and eight assists against the Hogs, Duke could be even scarier as the season progresses.

2. Louisville

The Cardinals have lived up to the hype through seven games with one of the most potent offenses in the country. Ryan Conwell is coming off a 32-point, seven-rebound, six-assist performance against NJIT. With Arkansas, Indiana, Memphis and Tennessee up next on the schedule, Pat Kelsey’s club will have a chance to elevate its status and possibly jump the Devils.

3. UNC

Despite its loss against Michigan State on Thanksgiving Day, the Tar Heels still have a win over Kansas in their back pocket and a group capable of creating headlines as Seth Trimble recovers from an injury. Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar are the real deal, but UNC has to be more consistent at hitting shots from the perimeter to open things up for its dominant frontcourt.

4. Clemson

The Tigers might be the most underrated team in the ACC. Brad Brownell has built quite the consistent program at Clemson, which has a stud in Jestin Porter, who has logged double-digit points in three straight games. This squad doesn’t hurt itself and defends at a high level. That’s a good recipe for staying on track toward another NCAA Tournament bid.

5. SMU

The Mustangs are at the undefeated table with Duke and Louisville at the start of December. The schedule hasn’t been overwhelming, but SMU has nonconference wins vs. Butler and Mississippi State. Boopie Miller and Jaron Pierre combined for 52 points and 15 rebounds in the win against the Bulldogs. It wouldn’t be wise to overlook the Ponies this season.

6. California

With a 6-1 record and a top-25 win against UCLA, the Bears vaulted up the rankings. Cal has some good pieces, starting with Dai Dai Ames (14 points vs. the Bruins) and Chris Bell (22 points, 6 rebounds vs. the Bruins). This could be the surprise team in the league this season.

7. Virginia

The Hoos have a top-25 offense and elite offensive rebounding group in Ryan Odom’s first season, making Virginia a fun bunch to watch this season. Thijs De Ridder continues to keep his name among the top freshmen in the country, scoring at least 20 points in five of his first seven games.

8. N.C. State

The red reckoning got a rude awakening in paradise, with the Wolfpack losing each of its games against Power 5 competition at the Maui Invitational. In losses to Seton Hall and Texas, N.C. State allowed an average of 93.5 points per game. If the Pack wants to reach its goals and keep the ACC on red alert, it has to get better defensively and fast.

9. Wake Forest

Juke Harris continues to look like one of the best players in the ACC, showing off his versatility as a three-level scorer for the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest is also on track toward producing its best defensive season under Steve Forbes. Don’t forget this team went toe-to-toe with juggernaut Michigan. The Deacs are a dangerous bunch.

10. Miami

Jai Lucas has the Hurricanes guarding at a high level, something that nearly helped Miami knock off BYU. A win against Georgetown could look good down the road for Miami, which got 23 points from Malik Reneau against the Hoyas. A trip to Ole Miss is up next.

11. Stanford

Benny Gealer’s only points against Saint Louis came on a game-winner bucket to provide some fireworks on Black Friday. The Cardinal has won six of its first seven games, including a win against the Billikens and Minnesota.

12. Syracuse

If the Orange could make the free throws, it would have one of the biggest wins in the nation to this point. But shooting at a clip of 57.1%, one of the worst percentages nationally, won’t get it done. Syracuse missed 17 free throws in an overtime loss to Houston before falling to Kansas and Iowa State in Vegas.

13. Virginia Tech

The Hokies got a decent win against Colorado State, but suffered double-digit losses to Saint Mary’s and VCU in Atlantis. Neoklis Avdalas and Amani Hansberry are good pieces, but Virginia Tech hasn’t been able to defend at a high level.

14. Notre Dame

The Irish battled with Kansas and Houston, but left Vegas with just a win against Rutgers. Markus Burton is one of the best players in the league, but he has to get some help.

15. Pittsburgh

The Panthers got a buzzer-beating win against Ohio State on a heave from 30 feet. It’ll take more than that to turn things around the rest of the season.

16. Florida State

The ‘Noles play fast, but they’re not very good. Blitzed by Texas A&M, FSU has Georgia and Houston up next.

17. Georgia Tech

The Yellow Jackets have one of the worst offenses in the country and are likely to remain in these bottom two spots throughout the year.

18. Boston College

The only team in the league with four losses in November, Boston College is decent defensively but the offensive struggles put them in the bottom tier among Power 5 teams.

Rodd Baxley covers North Carolina Tar Heels athletics for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding UNC? Send them to rbaxley@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: ACC basketball power rankings led by Duke before ACC/SEC Challenge

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