The 2011-12 season can be termed a "down year" in the ACC only when judged by the performance of the league from top to bottom and a "disappointing year" when judged by the performance of its top teams in the NCAA tournament. Five ACC teams reached the NCAA tournament, but 10 of the 12 teams in the conference lost 10 or more games, and eight of the 12 teams lost at least 13.
North Carolina was the ACC's best team in 2012, but it was tripped up by injury in the NCAA tournament. Duke bowed out of the NCAA tournament in the Round of 64, becoming just the sixth No. 2 seed to lose an opening game. The bright spot was NC State, which found its way to the Sweet 16 before losing to NCAA runner-up Kansas.
The 2012-13 season appears to be a promising one for the ACC, with nationally competitive teams at the top and more competitive teams in the middle and bottom of the league. Here is how the teams rank, from best to worst.