Each ACC team played in a dangerous game on an adventurous Thursday in Charlotte. Duke battled through Cooper Flagg’s injury and a horrible start to avoid the upset against Georgia Tech.

If the Duke Blue Devils want to be the No. 1 overall seed for next week’s NCAA Tournament, they need to convincingly win the ACC Tournament. That quest started Thursday.

Conference tournaments are limiting their surprises, which means only a few potential bid-snatchers remain as Selection Sunday approaches.

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Selection Sunday is just days away and the fight for NCAA men's tournament spots is at its climax. There was major movement on the bubble Thursday.

The second semifinal in the ACC Tournament tonight pits Clemson (27-5, 19-2) against Louisville (26-6, 19-2). The Tigers snuck past SMU yesterday, 57-54. Chase Hunter scored 21 points to pace the Clemson attack. Hunter was the only Tiger to score more than 11 points. The 57 points was Clemson’s worst offensive performance of the season.

SportsLine's model simulated Louisville Cardinals vs. Clemson Tigers in the 2025 ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday 10,000 times

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