College Basketball Rankings: North Carolina Falls to Clemson, NCAA Tournament at Risk

College Basketball Rankings: North Carolina Falls to Clemson, NCAA Tournament in Doubt

Clemson continued its impressive run with an 85-65 victory over North Carolina on Monday, solidifying its spot at No. 26 in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 daily rankings. For the Tigers, it’s been a dream three-day stretch, having defeated Duke on Saturday and followed it up with a commanding win against the Tar Heels to improve to 20-5 overall and 12-2 in the ACC.

Clemson’s Remarkable Streak

Defeating both Duke and North Carolina in the same week is a rare achievement for Clemson. The Tigers remain just one game back from first-place Duke in the ACC standings and continue to be a serious contender for the conference title. However, with Duke’s relatively easy schedule ahead, the Blue Devils are favored to secure the ACC regular-season crown.

North Carolina’s Struggles

The situation at North Carolina is becoming increasingly grim. Once ranked ninth in the preseason AP poll, the Tar Heels have slipped to 14-11 overall and 7-6 in ACC play, with a 1-10 record in Quadrant 1 games. At this rate, CBS Sports Bracketology Expert Jerry Palm projects that the Tar Heels will miss the 2025 NCAA Tournament, marking the second time in three years under head coach Hubert Davis.

If UNC does miss the tournament, Davis would join Matt Doherty as the only North Carolina coaches in the past five decades to miss the NCAA Tournament twice in a three-year span—a record that ultimately led to Doherty’s resignation.

What Went Wrong: Poor shooting, lack of defensive consistency, and struggles in high-pressure games have plagued the Tar Heels this season. Their last hope may lie in a strong finish to the regular season and a deep ACC Tournament run.

ACC Race Update

With Duke sitting atop the ACC standings, Clemson and Louisville remain the Blue Devils’ biggest challengers. However, Duke’s remaining schedule doesn’t include another game against a top-50 NET team, making it unlikely they’ll drop another conference game before the postseason.

Projected ACC Standings:

1. Duke (20-3) – Expected to secure the ACC regular-season title.
2. Clemson (20-5) – One game back, remains a strong threat.
3. Louisville (18-6) – Consistent performance keeps them in contention.

Top 25 And 1 Rankings Recap

Biggest Movers and Performers:

1. Auburn (21-2) – Despite a loss to Florida, Auburn remains No. 1.
2. Alabama (20-3) – Strong road win at Arkansas keeps them at No. 2.
3. Tennessee (20-4) – Chaz Lanier’s 21-point performance leads Tennessee to a win at Oklahoma.
4. Duke (20-3) – A tough loss at Clemson but still a favorite to win the ACC.
5. Florida (20-3) – Impressive victory at Auburn solidifies their top-5 spot.

What’s Next for Clemson and UNC

Clemson will look to extend its winning streak on Saturday when it faces Florida State on the road. Meanwhile, North Carolina must regroup quickly for a critical game against NC State. A loss there could all but seal their fate outside the NCAA Tournament field.

Key Upcoming Games:

• Duke vs. Cal (Wednesday, 7 p.m.) – Duke aims to bounce back.
• North Carolina vs. NC State (Saturday, 3 p.m.) – A must-win for UNC’s tournament hopes.
• Clemson at Florida State (Saturday, 6 p.m.) – Clemson’s push for the top of the ACC continues.

Final Analysis

The ACC remains competitive, but Duke’s favorable schedule gives the Blue Devils a clear path to the regular-season title. Clemson’s recent success has made them a team to watch in March, while North Carolina is running out of time to turn its season around.

Key Questions:

• Can Clemson continue its winning ways and secure a high seed in the ACC Tournament?
• Will North Carolina salvage its season, or will this be another disappointment for the storied program?

The next few weeks will reveal whether these storylines end in triumph or heartbreak.