The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has long been a powerhouse in college basketball, producing legendary players, iconic coaches, and memorable moments that resonate with fans across the nation. The 2024-25 ACC men’s basketball season has been no exception, delivering intense competition, surprising upsets, and a fiercely contested race for the top spots in the standings. 

With the addition of three new teams California, SMU, and Stanford the conference expanded to 18 teams, making this one of the most dynamic seasons in ACC history. This article dives deep into the 2024-25 ACC basketball standings, the tournament outcomes, key performers, and answers to the most pressing questions fans have been asking online, based on the latest available information.

The 2024-25 ACC Season: A New Era of Competition

The 2024-25 season marked a significant shift for the ACC, as the conference welcomed California, SMU, and Stanford, increasing its membership to 18 teams. This expansion brought fresh talent and new rivalries, but the ACC maintained its traditional 15-team tournament format, meaning the bottom three teams in the regular season standings did not qualify for the postseason tournament. 

The regular season began in November 2024, with conference play kicking off in December and concluding in March 2025. The ACC Tournament, held from March 11–15, 2025, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, was the culmination of a season filled with high stakes and thrilling matchups.

The Duke Blue Devils emerged as the regular season champions with an impressive 19–1 conference record, securing the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament. Close behind were Clemson and Louisville, both finishing with 18–2 records, with Louisville earning the No. 2 seed due to a head-to-head tiebreaker. The top 15 teams qualified for the tournament, leaving NC State (12–19, 5–15 ACC), Boston College (12–19, 4–16 ACC), and Miami (7–24, 3–17 ACC) out of the postseason.

The 2025 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament: Bracket and Results

The 2025 ACC Tournament was a five-day spectacle that showcased the depth and talent within the conference. Held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, the tournament featured 15 teams competing for the conference’s automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament. Below is a detailed breakdown of the tournament results, round by round.

First Round (Tuesday, March 11)

The first round featured three tightly contested games, setting the tone for an unpredictable tournament:

Game 1: No. 12 Notre Dame 55, No. 13 Pittsburgh 54 Notre Dame edged out Pittsburgh in a dramatic finish. With less than a second remaining, Pittsburgh’s Zack Austin was called for a foul on a rebound, allowing Notre Dame’s Tae Davis to sink a game-winning free throw.

Game 2: No. 15 California 82, No. 10 Virginia Tech 73 (2OT) California pulled off an upset against Virginia Tech in a double-overtime thriller. After trailing for much of the second half, Cal capitalized on a failed inbound play by Virginia Tech to force overtime, eventually dominating the second overtime to advance.

Game 3: No. 14 Syracuse 66, No. 11 Florida State 62 Syracuse held off a late comeback attempt by Florida State to secure the victory. The win marked the end of Leonard Hamilton’s tenure as Florida State’s head coach.

Second Round (Wednesday, March 12)

The second round saw higher-seeded teams begin their tournament journey, with some notable performances:

Game 4: No. 8 Georgia Tech 66, No. 9 Virginia 60 Georgia Tech broke a 13-game losing streak against Virginia, earning a hard-fought victory to advance to the quarterfinals.

Game 5: No. 5 North Carolina 76, No. 12 Notre Dame 56 North Carolina dominated Notre Dame, with a balanced attack led by senior guard RJ Davis, who kept the Tar Heels’ NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Game 6: No. 7 Stanford 78, No. 15 California 73 Stanford outlasted California in a competitive in-state matchup, advancing to face Louisville in the next round.

Game 7: No. 6 SMU 73, No. 14 Syracuse 53 SMU cruised past Syracuse, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Clemson.

Quarterfinals (Thursday, March 13)

The quarterfinals featured the top seeds entering the fray, with Duke and Louisville asserting their dominance:

Game 8: No. 1 Duke 78, No. 8 Georgia Tech 70 Despite the absence of star freshman Cooper Flagg, Duke’s Kon Knueppel stepped up with a career-high 28 points, including 12-of-13 from the free-throw line, to lead the Blue Devils to the semifinals.

Game 9: No. 5 North Carolina 68, No. 4 Wake Forest 59 North Carolina pulled away late with an 11-2 run in the final 3:14, led by RJ Davis (23 points) and Van-Allen Lubin (10 points, 13 rebounds). The win kept UNC’s NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Game 10: No. 2 Louisville 75, No. 7 Stanford 73 Louisville narrowly escaped Stanford, with a strong second-half performance securing their spot in the semifinals.

Game 11: No. 3 Clemson 80, No. 6 SMU 65 Clemson dominated SMU, showcasing their depth and defensive prowess to advance to the semifinals.

Semifinals (Friday, March 14)

The semifinals pitted the top teams against each other, setting the stage for an epic championship game:

Game 12: No. 1 Duke 73, No. 5 North Carolina 68 In a classic rivalry matchup, Duke held off North Carolina to advance to the championship game. The Blue Devils’ balanced scoring and clutch defense proved decisive.

Game 13: No. 2 Louisville 78, No. 3 Clemson 72 Louisville outlasted Clemson in a high-scoring affair, earning their spot in the title game against Duke.

Championship Game (Saturday, March 15)

Game 14: No. 1 Duke 73, No. 2 Louisville 62 Duke capped off their dominant season by winning the 2025 ACC Tournament, defeating Louisville in the championship game. The victory marked Duke’s 23rd ACC Tournament title and secured their automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Key Performers and Awards

The 2024-25 ACC season was defined by standout individual performances, with several players earning recognition for their contributions.

Cooper Flagg: The Rookie Sensation Duke freshman Cooper Flagg was the standout performer of the season, earning the ACC Rookie of the Week award a record 12 times, surpassing the previous record of 10. Flagg’s versatility, athleticism, and leadership were instrumental in Duke’s regular season and tournament success. Despite missing the quarterfinal game against Georgia Tech, Flagg’s impact throughout the season was undeniable.

All-ACC Academic Team: The ACC also recognized academic excellence, announcing the 2024-25 All-ACC Academic Men’s Basketball Team on April 29, 2025. This team highlighted players who excelled both on the court and in the classroom, showcasing the conference’s commitment to holistic development.

Other Notable Performers

RJ Davis (North Carolina): The senior guard was a key leader for the Tar Heels, averaging 23 points in the tournament and keeping UNC competitive despite their bubble status.

Kon Knueppel (Duke): The freshman stepped up in Flagg’s absence, delivering a career-high 28 points against Georgia Tech.

Hunter Sallis (Wake Forest): The senior guard led Wake Forest with 25 points in their quarterfinal loss to North Carolina, showcasing his scoring prowess.

Ven-Allen Lubin (North Carolina): The junior forward provided a double-double (10 points, 13 rebounds) in the win over Wake Forest, bolstering UNC’s frontcourt.

The ACC’s Place in College Basketball

The 2024-25 season highlighted both the challenges and strengths of the ACC. While the conference faced criticism for its reduced NCAA Tournament representation, Duke’s dominance and the emergence of players like Cooper Flagg underscored the ACC’s ability to produce elite talent. The addition of California, SMU, and Stanford brought new energy, but also raised questions about the conference’s identity and competitive balance.

Historical Context

The ACC has a storied history, with legends like Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, and Christian Laettner, and coaches like Dean Smith and Mike Krzyzewski. The conference has claimed numerous national titles and produced memorable NCAA Tournament runs, such as NC State’s improbable Final Four trip in 2024. However, the changing landscape of college athletics driven by NIL, the transfer portal, and conference realignment has put pressure on the ACC to adapt.

FAQs

Who Won the 2025 ACC Tournament?

Duke won the 2025 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament, defeating Louisville 73–62 in the championship game on March 15, 2025. This victory marked Duke’s 23rd ACC Tournament title and earned them the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

What Were the Final ACC Standings for 2024-25?

The final regular season standings saw Duke at the top with a 19–1 conference record, followed by Clemson and Louisville at 18–2. The complete standings are listed above, with NC State, Boston College, and Miami finishing at the bottom and missing the tournament.

Why Did NC State Miss the ACC Tournament?

NC State, the defending 2024 ACC Tournament champions, had a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing with a 12–19 overall record and 5–15 in conference play. Their poor performance placed them 16th in the standings, one of the three teams excluded from the 15-team tournament bracket.

How Many ACC Teams Made the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

The ACC faced challenges in securing NCAA Tournament bids, with only three or four teams expected to make the field, marking the smallest percentage of conference teams in the tournament since its expansion four decades ago. Duke, Louisville, and Clemson were locks, with North Carolina on the bubble. Duke’s strong performance, including a potential Final Four run, highlighted the conference’s top-end talent despite the reduced representation.

What Are Fans Saying on Social Media?

Posts on X reflected the excitement and analysis surrounding the ACC standings and tournament. For example, @accmbb shared regular updates on the standings, while @PBRJESTINPORTER noted Clemson’s strong position for a top seed late in the season. These posts indicate fans’ keen interest in tracking their teams’ progress and predicting tournament outcomes.

In Summary

The 2024-25 ACC men’s basketball season was a rollercoaster of emotions, from Duke’s commanding regular season and tournament performance to the struggles of traditional powers like NC State and Miami. The standings reflected a fiercely competitive conference, with new teams adding intrigue and established programs fighting for supremacy. While the ACC faces challenges in the evolving world of college basketball, its history and talent ensure it remains a vital part of the sport’s landscape.

Fans searching for the latest on the ACC standings and tournament have plenty to discuss, from Cooper Flagg’s record-breaking freshman campaign to the dramatic moments of the 2025 ACC Tournament. As the NCAA Tournament approaches, all eyes will be on Duke, Louisville, Clemson, and potentially North Carolina to carry the ACC’s banner. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual observer, the 2024-25 ACC season delivered a compelling chapter in the conference’s storied history.

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