ACC football rankings: Where all 17 teams sit after spring practice

Miami,SMUand Louisville are the teams to beat in USA TODAY Sports’ post-spring ACC power rankings, with potential spoilers such as NC State,Georgia Techand Virginia just behind the top three.

You won’t currently find Clemson anywhere in this conversation. Likewise withFlorida State. AndNorth Carolina.

The Tigers, Seminoles andTar Heelswill be among the most scrutinized teams in the Power Four. Clemson looks to turn back the clock by bringing back former offensive coordinator Chad Morris. Like the Tigers, FSU is good enough to make some noise if the Seminoles can get out of their own way.

MORE CONFERENCERANKINGS:Big Ten|SEC|Big 12

Don’t expect any miracles from UNC and second-year coachBill Belichick. The Tar Heels went deep into the portal to flip a roster that was uncompetitive in 2025 but still need to develop line play on both sides of the ball.

With spring practices in the books and a long summer ahead, here’s how the ACC currently shakes out:

1. Miami

The defending national runner-up must replace standout defenders such as edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. but will be sparked by theaddition of Duke transfer Darian Mensahat quarterback. What Miami needs to achieve before the opener is rebuilding an offensive line that was the driving force behind last year’s playoff run.

2. SMU

The Kevin Jennings-led offense could be explosive enough to carry SMU back to the ACC title game, especially if the running game picks up after a down 2025. Coming out of the spring, the factor that will determine whether the Mustangs can make the playoff is the performance of a defense that is heavily reliant on transfers up front and in the secondary.

3. Louisville

Like SMU, Louisville will score points in bunches behind former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. He brings a different type of athleticism to the table than the Cardinals’ recent transfers. This spring saw Kienholz begin to develop a rapport with a receiver group that added Vanderbilt transfer Tre Richardson and former Tulsa tight end Brody Foley.

4. NC State

NC State has a solid quarterback in CJ Bailey but question marks at wide receiver, especially with projected top target Teddy Hoffmann out for the season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The schedule is nearly perfect. TheWolfpackget Louisville at home and close the year with Stanford, California,Duke, Syracuse, North Carolina and Florida State.

5. Georgia Tech

Three big pieces to replace: quarterbackHaynes King, offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner and offensive line coach Geep Wade. This season will test how far Tech has come under Brent Key. But the Yellow Jackets should remain a bruising, run-heavy contender that leans on impact running back transfer Justice Haynes.

6. Virginia

Returning most of last year’s offensive line has helped Virginia ease in a new quarterback, likely former Missouri transfer Beau Pribula, and begin settling on a rotation at running back. The Cavaliers could make a run at double-digit wins if transfers such as former Michigan safety Brandyn Hillman lock things down in the secondary.

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7. Clemson

After a hugely disappointing 2025, Dabo Swinney has given the offense back to former coordinator Chad Morris and is poised to hand the starting quarterback job to backup Christopher Vizzina. The decision not to pursue an experienced transfer could end up dooming the Tigers’ season. Or it could prove the right call if Vizzina can connect regularly with one of the nation's best receiver groups that includes T.J. Moore, Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr.

8. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech should reach bowl eligibility and could do much more inJames Franklin’s first year. TheHokieshave been overhauled with a huge Penn State influence, led by likely starting quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. But Tech will also lean on holdovers on the offensive line who struggled last season while gaining experience that could pay dividends in 2026.

EXCLUSIVE:James Franklin didn't want to let Penn State 'off the hook financially.' Here's why he did

9. California

New coach Tosh Lupoi had one huge offseason win inconvincing quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to returnfor his sophomore year. To speed up his growth, he needs help up front and a stronger running game. But Lupoi’s biggest job this spring was to start rebuilding a defense that lost a huge chunk of production off a unit that allowed 5.9 yards per play in ACC action in 2025.

10. Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons have put together a pretty good roster that exits the spring still trying to find the right mix to replace productive running back Demond Claiborne, a three-year contributor. Look for Wake to lean on a committee approach headed by last year’s backup, Ty Clark III. North Carolina transfer Gio Lopez is expected to be the quarterback.

11. Pittsburgh

Sophomore quarterback Mason Heintschel is a strong piece to build around on offense, though a questionable receiver corps could stunt his development. The Panthers really need Western Carolina receiver transfer Malik Knight to carry his explosive spring into the regular season.

12. Duke

Duke’s outlook changed dramatically with Mensah’s late transfer to Miami. San Jose State transfer Walker Eget has moved into the driver’s seat for the starting job after tossing 30 touchdowns and 20 interceptions the past two years. But that’s not the only issue for the Blue Devils, who are also facing defensive concerns after losing the key pieces behind last year’s pass rush.

13. Florida State

FSU has a slightly better outlook for 2026. Again, there’s enough talent to lift the Seminoles into conference title and playoff contention. But the program has a poor track record in the portal, especially on the offensive side, and additions such as new starting quarterback Ashton Daniels just don’t move the needle.

14. North Carolina

Belichick’s second team looks stronger than his first, though that’s a low bar to clear. UNC spent the spring trying to get things meshing on offense undernew coordinator Bobby Petrino. The early results have been mixed. The Tar Heels won’t budge from the bottom third of the conference unless Petrino can add some juice to what was last season one of the worst offenses in the Power Four.

15. Syracuse

There’s a boom-or-bust feeling around Syracuse, which has gathered a nice collection of young talent in the past two recruiting classes but is short on experience and depth. The most touted youngster on the roster is five-star freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell, who has already made a case for being the top target for quarterback Steve Angeli.

16. Boston College

After just two wins in 2025, Boston College is poised to hand the offense to Division II quarterback transfer Mason McKenzie ahead of a season under pressure for third-year coach Bill O'Brien. The Eagles went heavy on offensive linemen in recruiting and in the portal while bringing in former Liberty running back Evan Dickens.

17. Stanford

Patience will be a virtue for the Cardinal as it will take time for new coach Tavita Pritchard and general manager Andrew Luck to build up this roster. For now, Stanford will look to set a foundation and establish an identity while leaning on holdovers such as running back Micah Ford.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:ACC football rankings after spring practice led by Miami; where's UNC?

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ACC football rankings: Where all 17 teams sit after spring practice

Miami,SMUand Louisville are the teams to beat in USA TODAY Sports’ post-spring ACC power rankings, with potential spoilers such as NC S...

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March Madness: Here's how the new 76-team NCAA tournament will work

The NCAA tournament is going to have a new look and feel in 2027. The NCAA, and its various committees, agreed Thursday to expand both the men’s and women’sbasketball tournaments from 68 teams to 76 teams.

While thatchange was rumored for months, it was unclear exactly how the NCAA would proceed with eight new teams being added to the tournament.

Following Thursday’s news, the organization outlined exactly how the new, 76-team NCAA tournament will work, including how teams will be chosen and how the opening round of the tournament will be different.

Here are thenew NCAA tournament rule changesoutlined by the NCAA on Thursday:

• The men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments will each feature 76 teams. The eight new teams being added to both events will be at-large selections.• The First Four is no more, and will be replaced by the Opening Round. The Opening Round will include the 12 lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers and the 12 lowest-seeded at-large teams.• The Opening Round will include 12 games, with six at-large and six automatic-qualifier games each. They will be played as triple-headers on Tuesday and Wednesday on the men’s side and Wednesday and Thursday on the women’s side.• For the men, six games will be played in Dayton. The other six will occur at a “yet to be determined site.” Women’s Opening Round games will be played on campus sites.

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In addition to laying out those changes, the NCAA also put out a handy side-by-side graphic showing how the tournament will differ compared to years past.

What will the new 76-team NCAA tournament bracket look like?

With the Opening Round now containing 12 games, the NCAA tournament bracket will have a slightly different look. The 12 Opening Round games will be featured above the bracket and separate by the at-large teams and the automatic qualifiers.

The actual bracket shows where the Opening Round winners will slot into the first round.

And in case you were still confused and needed even more of an explanation for how the new tournament format will work, the NCAA put out a video in which Andy Katz laid it all out.

Once the Opening Round is over and the winning teams are slotted into the bracket, the NCAA tournament will proceed as normal the rest of the way. The first round, second round, Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final Four and national championship will all remain unchanged following Thursday’s expansion.

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March Madness: Here's how the new 76-team NCAA tournament will work

The NCAA tournament is going to have a new look and feel in 2027. The NCAA, and its various committees, agreed Thursday to expand both ...

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What is Hantavirus? Symptoms you need to know after deadly cruise ship outbreak

A suspected hantavirus outbreakaboard acruise shiphas claimed three lives and seven others ill.

TheWorld Health Organization(WHO) said that detailed investigations are currently underway into the incident, including extensive laboratory testing and epidemiological studies to understand the virus's spread.

Sequencing of the virus from the current outbreak is also ongoing.

Hantaviruses, which have been present for centuries, have a documented history of outbreaks across Asia and Europe.

In the Eastern Hemisphere, these viruses have been associated with severe conditions such as haemorrhagic fever and kidney failure.

A distinct group of hantaviruses emerged in the early 1990s in the southwestern United States, leading to the acute respiratory disease now known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

The disease garnered significant attention in 2025 followingthe death of Betsy Arakawa, wife of actorGene Hackman, froma hantavirus infection in New Mexico.

What is Hantavirus?

Hantavirus is mainly spread by contact with rodents or their urine, saliva or droppings, particularly when the material is disturbed and becomes airborne, posing risk of inhalation.

People are typically exposed to hantavirus around their homes, cabins or sheds, especially when cleaning out enclosed spaces with little ventilation or going into areas where there are mouse droppings.

The WHO says that while rare, hantaviruses may spread between people.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking the virus after a 1993 outbreak in the Four Corners region – the area where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah meet.

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It was a doctor with the Indian Health Service who first noticed a pattern of deaths among young patients, said Michelle Harkins, a pulmonologist with the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center who for years has been studying the disease and helping patients.

Most US cases are in Western states. New Mexico and Arizona are hotspots, Dr Harkins said, likely because the odds are greater for mouse-human encounters in rural areas.

Symptoms of hantavirus

An infection can rapidly progress and become life-threatening. Experts say it can start with symptoms that can include:

• fever

• chills

• muscle aches

• headache

“Early in the illness, you really may not be able to tell the difference between hantavirus and having the flu,” said Dr Sonja Bartolome of UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome usually show between one to eight weeks after contact with an infected rodent. As the infection progresses, patients might experience tightness in the chest, as the lungs fill with fluid.

The other syndrome caused by hantavirus — hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome — usually develops within a week or two after exposure.

Death rates vary by which hantavirus causes the illness. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is fatal in nearly 40 per cent of people infected, while the death rate for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome varies from 1 per cent to 15 per cent of patients, according to the CDC.

How to prevent hantavirus

There is no specific treatment or cure, but early medical attention can increase the chance of survival.

Despite years of research, Dr Harkins said that many questions have yet to be answered, including why it can be mild for some people and very severe for others and how antibodies are developed. She and other researchers have been following patients over long periods of time in hopes of finding a treatment.

“A lot of mysteries,” she said, noting that what researchers do know is that rodent exposure is a key.

The best way to avoid the germ is to minimise contact with rodents and their droppings. Use protective gloves and a bleach solution for cleaning up rodent droppings.

Public health experts caution against sweeping or vacuuming which can cause virus to get into the air.

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What is Hantavirus? Symptoms you need to know after deadly cruise ship outbreak

A suspected hantavirus outbreakaboard acruise shiphas claimed three lives and seven others ill. TheWorld Health Organization(WHO) ...

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Who is Section V's all-time girls basketball player? VOTE in the poll sponsored by Faber Builders

It's hard to whittle down 50-plus years of local girls basketball history, but that's exactly what we're trying to do as the United States readies for its 250th anniversary.

USA Today Sportsis recognizing the top athletes of all time. Among several other sports, theDemocrat and Chronicleis posing this question: Who is the top player in Section V girls basketball history?

To be clear, there is no perfect answer. Dozens of athletes, whether through individual states and accolades or team accomplishments, are worthy of consideration.

Here are 15 former Section V girls basketball players that we're presenting among the greatest. But who isthe best? That's for you to decide. And if you notice an obvious omission, let us know.

Let the debate begin.

Maddy Brown, Honeoye Falls-Lima

Brown was named All-Greater Rochester and New York state Class A Player of the Year in 2005 after leading the Cougars to their first state title (in their second straight final appearance). She finished her high school career with 2,017 points, and later played collegiately at Pittsburgh and Texas Tech.

Jamie Burke, Prattsburgh

Burke stands second all-time in Section V scoring with 2,458 points. She played six varsity seasons and led Prattsburgh to three Section V titles. During her career, she was a two-time All-Greater Rochester selection and theDemocrat and Chronicle'sFemale Athlete of the Year in 1992-93.

Meg Dahlman, Nazareth

Dahlman wrapped her varsity career with 2,085 points and 1,033 rebounds, after leading the Lasers to four Section V titles. She was a three-time Section V tournament MVP, three-time All-Greater Rochester selection and two-time AGR Player of the Year. After high school, she played collegiately at Marist.

Cierra Dillard, Gates Chili

When theDemocrat and Chroniclereleased the 2010s All-Decade team, Dillard was the voting panel's choice for the decade's top player. She was a four-time All-Greater Rochester choice and led the Spartans to three Section V titles and three state tournament selections. Dillard was named AGR Player of the Year in 2014 after scoring 27.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

Debbie Eaves, Penn Yan

Eaves' senior season in 1986 was one for the ages. She led the Mustangs to a perfect 26-0 season and New York state Class B title. After the season, she was named first team All-Greater Rochester for the third time (at a time when only five players were selected for the nod) and New York state's Small School Player of the Year. She finished her career with 1,781 points and 1,166 rebounds. After high school, Eaves played four seasons at the University of Delaware.

Alyssa Fenyn, Newark

Few have been better scorers than Fenyn, who finished her career with 2,499 career points which ranks second all-time in Section V. In 2009, she led the Reds to the New York state Class A title and was the final four's MVP. Postseason honors that season included New York state's Class A Player of the Year and All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year (her fourth AGR nod). After high school, Fenyn started for four seasons at Virginia Tech.

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Caitlin Howe, Fairport

Howe was part of four Section V title teams. She was a five-time all-tournament selection, four-time All-Greater Rochester selection and two-time Player of the Year. Howe joined the 2,000-point club despite two major knee injuries that cost her her senior season in 2001-02. Howe later played at Duke University.

Shenise Johnson, Rush-Henrietta

Johnson was the primary reason why Rush-Henrietta became the first Section V team to claim three consecutive state crowns, doing so from 2006 to 2008. She became the first player in the award's history to be named All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year three times. Johnson's varsity career concluded with 2,244 points.

Sandy Mitchell, Waterloo

Mitchell was a two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year (1993,1994) and was "Miss New York State Basketball" in 1994. She later played at Seton Hall, where she was the Big East's top rookie in 1995. Mitchell was named to the inaugural Section V Basketball Hall of Fame class in 2000.

Beth Record, Red Jacket

Section V's all-time leading scorer finished her career with 2,895 points and four Section V titles. Record was a two-time Section V tournament MVP, four-time All-Greater Rochester selection and two-time Player of the Year. She later played at Syracuse University and was drafted by the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.

Kathy Ryan, Victor

In four varsity seasons, Ryan led the Blue Devils to a 72-9 record and two Section V titles (1977, 1978). She was a four-time all-tournament selection and two-time MVP, and three-time All-Greater Rochester selection. In 1979, she broke the single-game scoring record with 52 points. After high school, Ryan attended the University of Virginia where she led the Cavaliers to two ACC titles.

Heathar Shepard, Bloomfield

Shepard was a key piece in Bloomfield's late 1990s dynasty, pushing the Bombers to four consecutive Class C section titles (1998 to 2001) and two New York state titles (1999, 2000). Shepard was twice named first team all-state and was MVP of the 1999 state tournament. Her 277 career 3-pointers rank first in Section V history and seventh all time in New York state.

Megan Shoniker, Greece Arcadia

Shoniker ranks ninth all-time in Section V and scoring with 2,216 career points. At the time of her graduation in 2007, Shoniker was Monroe County's all-time leading scorer and only the third player ever to be named an All-Greater Rochester selection four teams. Shoniker was also a member of the 2005 Arcadia team that claimed the state title.

Christina Volpe, Batavia Notre Dame

Volpe led the Fighting Irish to the New York state Class D title in 1999 and was named the state's Player of the Year after the season. She finished her varsity career with 2,359 points and over 1,400 rebounds. Volpe was also a two-time All-Greater Rochester choice.

Ashley Zahn, Canandaigua

Victor's current varsity head coach was one of Section V's best during her own high school career. She finished with 2,400 career points, averaged 20-plus points all four varsity seasons and was a four-time All-Greater Rochester selection. In 2009, she led the Braves to the Class AA section title and was tournament MVP. The following year, her senior season, Zahn averaged 24.3 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

— Justin Ritzel works as a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle:Vote for Section V's greatest girls basketball player of all time

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Who is Section V's all-time girls basketball player? VOTE in the poll sponsored by Faber Builders

It's hard to whittle down 50-plus years of local girls basketball history, but that's exactly what we're trying to do as th...

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Federal court strikes down Trump’s new global tariffs as illegal

Afederalcourt hasstruckdown globaltariffsimposed by PresidentDonald Trump, a rulingfollowinga stingingSupreme Courtloss.

The Court of International Trade in New York, with a split three-judge panel, found the 10 percent global tariffs illegal after small businesses sued.

The 2-1 decision stated Trump overstepped congressional tariff authority, deeming the tariffs "invalid" and "unauthorized by law."

The third judge on the panel argued the law permits the president more leeway on such tariffs.

If the administration appeals Thursday’s decision, as expected, it would first turn to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, based in Washington, and then, potentially, the Supreme Court.

At issue are temporary 10 percenr worldwide tariffs the Trump administration imposed after the Supreme Court in February struck down even broader double-digit tariffs the president had imposed last year on almost every country on Earth. The new tariffs, invoked under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, were set to expire July 24.

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The court’s decision directly applied only to three of the plaintiffs — the state of Washington and two businesses, spice company Burlap & Barrel and toy company Basic Fun! “It’s not clear’’ whether other businesses would have to continue to pay the tariffs, said Jeffrey Schwab, director of litigation at the libertarian Liberty Justice Center, which represented the two companies.

“We fought back today and we won, and we’re extremely excited,” Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun!, told reporters Thursday.

The ruling marked another legal setback for the Trump administration, which has attempted to shield the U.S. economy behind a wall of import taxes. Last year, Trump invoked the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to declare the nation's longstanding trade deficit a national emergency, justifying sweeping global tariffs.

The Supreme Court ruled Feb. 28 that IEEPA did not authorize the tariffs. The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to establish taxes, including tariffs, though lawmakers can delegate tariff power to the president.

Trump is widely expected to try to replace the tariffs that have been struck down. The administration is conducting two investigations that could end in more tariffs.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is looking into whether 16 U.S. trading partners — including China, the European Union and Japan — are overproducing goods, driving down prices and putting U.S. manufacturers at a disadvantage. It is also investigating whether 60 economies — from Nigeria to Norway and accounting for 99% of U.S. imports — do enough to prohibit the trade in products created by forced labor.

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Federal court strikes down Trump’s new global tariffs as illegal

Afederalcourt hasstruckdown globaltariffsimposed by PresidentDonald Trump, a rulingfollowinga stingingSupreme Courtloss. The Court...

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