Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2025 ACC Tournament Predictions and Betting Odds

by Robert Ferringo - 3/10/2025

ACC Tournament predictions Cooper Flagg Duke Blue Devils

If you thought ACC football sucked in the fall, ACC basketball said, “Hold my beer” this winter.

The ACC was awful this hoops season. The bloated 18-team conference, historically the best basketball league in the country, was a disaster from the start of nonconference play. Eleven of the 18 teams are currently rated outside of the Top 85. And as it currently stands, only three teams – Duke, Clemson, and Louisville – are locks to make the NCAA Tournament.

It has been a down year, for sure. But, in a way, that creates some intrigue in this week’s conference tournament. Because there are so few top teams, there is the possibility of another surprise winner. Remember: it was just last year that N.C. State won five games in five days for a stunning ACC Championship. The Wolfpack then used that momentum to make a shocking Final Four run.

(Of course, the leader of that team, head coach Kevin Keatts, just got fired after another terrible season. But it doesn’t change the magic of last March for the Wolfpack.)

Could history repeat itself and could we see another Cinderella surge? Or will Duke just continue to embarrass a conference that’s had a humiliating last eight months?

The ACC Tournament tips off Tuesday at The Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C. with a championship game scheduled for Saturday night. Here is Doc’s Sports 2025 ACC Tournament preview and predictions, with odds to win the tournament in parentheses:

Doc’s Sports offers college basketball expert picks for every game on our NCAA basketball predictions page.

The Favorite: Duke (-320)

The odds tell the tale. Duke has absolutely dominated the ACC this season, going 19-1 in league play and winning the regular season championship. Duke’s average margin of victory in conference play is an unbelievable 21.7 points per game. And their +434 point differential in league play is the sixth-highest number in college basketball history. Duke has dominated on both ends of the court, averaging 83.5 points per game with an offense that is elite inside, outside and at the free throw line. The Blue Devils, who had to deal with some injury issues this season, are also No. 4 in the country in field goal defense. Cooper Flagg leads the team in points, assists and rebounds and is on the shortlist of National Player of the Year candidates. This team is a true national title contender and looks to prove it by raising another banner.

The Contender: Louisville (+550)

As a member of the Basketball Writers Association of America, I am afforded three votes for National Coach of the Year. Louisville’s Pat Kelsey received one of my votes. The speed with which he’s executed this turnaround in Louisville has been remarkable, taking a team that went 12-52 straight up and 5-35 in ACC play the past two seasons and getting them to 25-6 overall and 18-2 in the league this year. Wisconsin transfer Chucky Hepburn has been masterful as the triggerman of Kelsey’s five-out offense. And the Cardinals have lost just once in their last 20 contests. Only three of Louisville’s last 14 opponents have stayed within 10 points of them. And this roster, one of the most experienced in all of college basketball, isn’t scared of anyone.

The Sleeper: Clemson (+650)

Brad Brownell welcomed back three starters from last year’s Elite Eight squad, so the Tigers were still expected to be solid. However, Cincinnati transfer Viktor Lakhin has been one of the most impactful newcomers in the nation and has helped lead this group into the nation’sTop 10. Clemson’s front line of Lakhin, heart-and-soul Ian Shieffelin, and slithery Chauncy Wiggins is large and commanding at both ends. Underrated guard Chae Hunter is the go-to guy, and this is the only team in the country that’s beaten Duke since Thanksgiving. The Tigers would love another crack at a Louisville team that beat them back on Jan. 7.

The Spoiler: Wake Forest (+8000)

Steve Forbes is a master at getting the most out of his teams, despite near-constant roster turnover. He hasn’t been able to get his Wake team to play consistently this year, though, and that has the Demon Deacons headed for the NIT. Seniors Hunter Sallis and Cameron Hildreth combine to hit around 45 percent of their shots from the field, 80 percent of their free throws, and are good for 33 points per game. They must be even better if this team has a chance to make a run.

Bubble Team To Watch: North Carolina (+3000)

The Tar Heels are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years thanks to a 1-10 record against Quad 1 opponents this season. The Tar Heels got better as the season went on. And their nonconference resume was dotted with close losses to the likes of Kansas (by 3), Michigan State (by 3 in OT) and Florida (by 6). The Heels were game while trying to knock off Duke last Saturday in UNC’s home finale. However, like so many times this year, they couldn’t get over the hump and secure the win. UNC can still score with anyone. But are they tough enough on the interior and can they defend well enough to pick up three much-needed wins?

Potential Early Round Matchups To Watch:

No. 12 Notre Dame (+5) vs. No. 13 Pittsburgh (2:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 11)

The very first game of the tournament could end up being one of the best ones of the opening two days. Both Notre Dame and Pittsburgh are better than their records suggest, despite recent struggles that have them a combined 7-15 since Feb. 1. Both teams have very good backcourts, with Pitt’s Jaland Lowe and Notre Dame’s Markus Burton both all-ACC talents. Notre Dame beat Pittsburgh 76-72 back on Feb. 22, but it would be an upset if they could take out the Panthers again.

No. 6 SMU vs. No. 14 Syracuse (9:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)

Syracuse is emblematic of the ACC’s struggles this year. This is a proud, historically dominant program that has fallen on hard times. The Orange have the second-lowest seed in the field and comes to Charlotte with a pathetic 13-18 mark. There’s a great chance the Orange won’t even beat Florida State in Round 1. But if they do, they will get a rematch with an SMU team that they just lost to (77-75) on March 4 in Dallas.

No. 4 Wake Forest vs. No. 5 North Carolina (2:30 p.m., Thursday, March 13)

The loser of this game is headed to the NIT. The winner isn’t going to the NCAA Tournament. But a win in this game would set up a must-win and potentially season-defining game against top-seeded Duke in the semifinals. Wake won the first meeting, 67-66, and a rematch would be one of the most important games of the tournament.

2024 ACC Conference Tournament Predictions: This one is Duke’s to lose. Not only are the Blue Devils by far and away the best team in the conference, but they also have the easiest path to the finals. Clemson vs. Louisville would be a battle in the semifinals. And either the Tigers or the Cards are good enough to go toe-to-toe with the Blue Devils. However, Duke should have more in the tank for the championship game, and I see them claiming their fourth ACC title in the last 13 years.

Robert Ferringo is a member of the Basketball Writer's Association of America and a professional sports handicapper for Doc's Sports. He is considered one of the best college basketball handicappers in the country and has posted 12 of 15 winning seasons. He is looking for a monster March run and you can sign up for his college basketball picks and get more information here.

Get college basketball picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent March Madness Betting

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers