Duke’s Cooper Flagg Eyes Revenge in Potential Clemson Rematch at ACC Tournament
The stage is set for a thrilling potential rematch between Clemson and Duke in the 2025 ACC Tournament, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Both teams have earned a coveted double bye into the quarterfinals, thanks to their outstanding performances throughout the regular season. The tournament will be held from March 11 to 15 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and with the way things are shaping up, a championship showdown between these two powerhouse programs seems almost inevitable.
Duke, which has dominated the ACC this season, suffered just one defeat in conference play—an early-season loss to Clemson. That defeat has been a motivating factor for the Blue Devils, who have since been on a tear, led by their star player, Cooper Flagg. With a powerful lineup and strong defensive presence, Duke has been nearly unstoppable in the second half of the season. Now, they will be looking for revenge and to settle the score with the Tigers in a high-stakes rematch.
Clemson, on the other hand, has had a season to remember, bolstered by key wins over blue bloods like Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina. Their victory over Duke earlier this season is a testament to their growth as a program under head coach Brad Brownell, and they have been playing with confidence and momentum heading into the ACC Tournament. The Tigers enter championship week ranked the 12th-best team in the nation.
Clemson’s blend of solid defense, sharp shooting, and clutch performances has made them a team to watch. The team finished the regular season with a program record of 26 wins, the most in Clemson’s history. The Tigers also set a new ACC win record, with 18 victories in conference play, marking another significant milestone for the program.Clemson enters the ACC tournament with the second-best odds of winning the tournament, according to Fanduel.
The potential rematch between Duke and Clemson would be a monumental game, not only for ACC supremacy but also with significant implications for NCAA Tournament seeding. Both teams have a lot to prove, and this matchup could be one of the most exciting games of the tournament.
While a Duke-Clemson rematch is what everyone is hoping for, both teams must first navigate two tough games to reach Championship Saturday. Clemson is likely to face Louisville in the semifinals, a team that handed the Tigers one of their ACC losses this season. On the other side, Duke is projected to face either Wake Forest or their bitter rivals, the Tar Heels, in what promises to be a challenging semifinal matchup.
