Tournament Preview for ACC: Duke Emerges as Top Contender for Dominance
Get Ready for the ACC Tournament Extravaganza!
It's that time of year again, basketball fans! The 2025 ACC Tournament kicks off with a bang on Tuesday night in Charlotte, NC. Get ready for some epic clashes like Notre Dame vs Pittsburgh, Cali vs Virginia Tech, and Syracuse against Florida State.
But who's the favorite to take home the trophy? Duke, baby! They're sitting pretty as the top seed in the conference and the second-ranked team in the nation, barely trailing Auburn. But don't count out Clemson and Louisville, they're both ranked within the top 15 and they're not far behind the Blue Devils.
So, what are the odds of each team winning the tournament? Here's a quick rundown from the top:
- Duke: -325
- Clemson: 500
- Louisville: 550
- North Carolina: 1500
- SMU: 4500
- Wake Forest: 5000
- Pittsburgh: 15000
- Stanford: 15000
- Florida State: 20000
- G-Tech: 20000
- Virginia: 20000
- Virginia Tech: 20000
- California: 25000
- Notre Dame: 25000
- Syracuse: 25000
College Basketball sportsbooks online see the ACC as a thrilling three-way dance between Duke, Clemson, and Louisville. The Blue Devils are the cream of the crop, flying high as the top-rated team on KenPom, with the only team in the country to be top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is leading the way as Duke looks to win their ACC-best 23rd conference championship, last claiming victory in 2023.
Unfortunately, neither Clemson nor Louisville have yet to claim an ACC tournament title in their storied histories. Clemson managed to defeat Duke at home in February, 77-71, and boast a balanced play with the 18th-ranked offensive efficiency and 21st-ranked defensive efficiency, earning a record of 26-5. Louisville isn't far behind at 25-6, with an offensive efficiency of 30th and defensive efficiency at 19th. Both teams have a chance to make history, but let's face it—it's Duke's championship to lose!
If you're looking for a value pick or two, here are some options: UNC (+1500) could make a run if their fast-paced offense led by senior guard RJ Davis elevates their game, but don't expect too much. Things are looking a bit murky for UNC.
An intriguing storyline to watch this tournament is the possible exit of Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton, who's rumored to be retiring. Despite their underwhelming 17-14 record, the Seminoles delivered a surprise upset against SMU in their season finale, so expect them to play with passion and determination for their esteemed coach.
If you're feeling lucky, Pittsburgh could be your chosen longshot at +15000. They've got the 38th-ranked offense in the nation, making them an interesting pick for legal sports betting sites.
Remember, Duke is your safest bet to bring home the championship. But if you're looking for a potential upset, bet on Clemson at +500. And for the daring among us—go for Pittsburgh with a Hail Mary!
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References:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Atlantic_Coast_Conference_tournament[2] https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35326248/acc-wrapping-fastest-pace-prolific-scoring-conference-tournament-history[3] https://247sports.com/college/florida-state/LongFormArticle/Florida-State-basketball-Leonard-Hamilton-retirement-2025-season-Chris-Kammerer-172060355/[4] https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/_/id/2964/florida-state-seminoles[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_Men's_Division_I_Basketball_Championship_game_team_totals
Contributor:
- This article was written by Drew Gniadek, a sports enthusiast currently studying at Florida State University. He's a die-hard Celtics fan with a background in basketball, both high school varsity and pool basketball with friends.
- For sports-betting enthusiasts, the ACC Tournament offers a thrilling three-way dance between Duke, Clemson, and Louisville as the top contenders.
- Duke, with odds of -325, is the favorite to win, boasting the only team in the nation to be top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
- College basketball sportsbooks online see Duke as the safest bet to bring home the championship, with notable contributions from freshman sensation Cooper Flagg.
- If you're looking for a value pick or two, UNC (+1500) could make a run, while Pittsburgh (+15000) could be an intriguing longshot for legal sports betting sites.
- Meanwhile, Florida State, with a possible exit of coach Leonard Hamilton, could play with passion and determination, despite their underwhelming record.
