Duke Leads ACC as Conference Struggles in 2024-25 Season

The 2024-25 ACC basketball season has been marked by disappointment, with the conference struggling to maintain its reputation as a powerhouse. According to ESPN‘s Joe Lunardi, the ACC is projected to secure only five NCAA tournament bids, trailing behind other major conferences like the Big Ten, Big 12, and even the Atlantic 10.

Despite the conference’s overall struggles, Duke has emerged as a bright spot. The Blue Devils, led by freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, are 12-2 and ranked No. 4 in the latest AP poll. Flagg, a projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, has been a standout performer, helping Duke navigate a challenging schedule that included losses to Kentucky and Kansas.

Duke’s success has been a rare highlight in an otherwise underwhelming ACC season. The Blue Devils’ dominance was on full display in recent wins over Pitt and SMU, where they outscored their opponents by a combined 56 points. With conference play in full swing, Duke remains the clear favorite to win the ACC title.

Outside of Duke, Louisville has been a surprise contender, winning five straight games, including a 74-64 victory over Clemson. The Cardinals have been buoyed by the strong play of Colorado transfer J’Vonne Hadley, who scored a career-high 32 points in their latest win.

North Carolina, another traditional ACC powerhouse, has shown signs of improvement after a slow start. The Tar Heels secured a crucial win at Notre Dame and followed it up with an 82-67 victory over SMU. Elliot Cadeau‘s clutch four-point play against Notre Dame has been a turning point for the team.

Meanwhile, SMU and Wake Forest have struggled to find consistency. SMU’s losses to Duke and North Carolina by a combined 42 points have raised questions about their ability to compete with the conference’s elite. Wake Forest, on the other hand, has shown flashes of potential, with transfer Malique Ewin averaging 17.4 points per game since December.

As the season progresses, the ACC’s middle tier remains jumbled, with teams like Syracuse, Georgia Tech, and Virginia Tech fighting to stay relevant. Syracuse’s 62-55 win over Georgia Tech, fueled by the return of star guard J.J. Starling, offers a glimmer of hope for the Orange.

At the bottom of the standings, Virginia and Miami are enduring difficult seasons. Virginia’s losses to Louisville and Cal by a combined 34 points have highlighted their struggles, while Miami’s 1-11 record since November 21 has been a major disappointment.

With Duke leading the way, the ACC’s hopes for a strong showing in March rest largely on the shoulders of the Blue Devils. As conference play continues, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg and Duke to see if they can live up to their preseason expectations and bring some much-needed pride back to the ACC.