Clemson men's tennis came in at #44 in the first ITA computer rankings of the year (top 75 ranked). (The ncaa tournament bubble is usually around 45-42, so like basketball we would be squarely on the bubble right now). Two weekends ago, Clemson missed a huge chance against Northwestern who is now ranked #12 in the country. We lost a 4-3 heartbreaker where we had plenty of chances, that win would have kept the ranking boosted all year long.
Clemson record: 9-3 Ranked Wins: #50 Nebraska, #51 FAU, #72 Liberty Losses: #6 South Carolina, #12 Northwestern, #27 VCU
So while the VCU loss may have looked bad at the time, it is not as hurtful now since VCU is ranked #27. No bad losses for the computer but need to start getting the good wins in.
-- But ACC season is starting this weekend at Clemson has two huge home matches. vs #39 NC State on Fridat and vs #25 Wake Forest on Sunday. Absolutely need to win at least 1 of them, winning both would be amazing.
ACC teams in ITA rankings:
#10 North Carolina #15 Florida State #20 Louisville #21 Virginia #22 Duke #25 Wake Forest #39 NC State #40 Notre Dame #43 Miami #44 Clemson #65 Virginia Tech #69 Georgia Tech unranked Boston College
so the ACC is a bit different this year than year's past. No national title contendor. Virginia, Wake are a bit down and more beatable. Clemson of space for Clemson to move up, but need to beat some of the teams ranked ahead of us to do so.