The ACC/SEC Challenge set the stage for what would become an embarrassing 2024-25 season for the ACC as a whole.
Duke basketball and Clemson were the only winners in the second annual event, which saw the SEC win the first nine games on its way to a 14-2 record against a league known for its storied hoops history.
Those problems continued into March Madness, with just four teams making the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Of those squads, the Blue Devils were the only group to make it to the second weekend of the Big Dance. Several new coaches will try to help improve the reputation of the league in the 2025-26 season: Florida State‘s Luke Loucks, Miami’s Jai Lucas, N.C. State’s Will Wade and Virginia’s Ryan Odom.
Positive signs of a successful season could start with a strong showing in the 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge, which begins Dec. 2. Here’s a breakdown of the five most intriguing matchups – and predictions for those games.
Duke basketball vs Florida at Cameron Indoor Stadium
If the Blue Devils could inbound the ball, we would’ve seen this scintillating showdown in San Antonio at the Final Four. Instead, Houston made it to the final Monday night of the season and Florida cut down the nets as a national champion for the third time in program history. Two of the favorites to raise the title trophy in Indianapolis, Duke and Florida will play at Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first time since 1998. Alex Condon and Cameron Boozer are the headliners in this matchup, but the Cameron Crazies will give the Devils enough juice to get it done in Durham. Pick: Duke
UNC basketball vs Kentucky at Rupp Arena
A blueblood rivalry that has seen its share of classic games, UNC will head to Rupp Arena for the first time in 11 years. The Tar Heels and Kentucky have played their last six games on a neutral court, with the Wildcats winning four of those. UNC, which hasn’t won in Lexington since 2007, has put together a top-25 roster around top returner Seth Trimble. But after adding some top talent from the transfer portal, Kentucky has the look of a national title contender this season. Plus, it’s always tough to pick against the ‘Cats at home. Pick: Kentucky
Louisville basketball at Arkansas
The energy inside Bud Walton Arena will be tough to match, but Pat Kelsey and John Calipari are two coaches capable of matching what the fans will bring to this one. Calipari, who hired former Louisville coach Kenny Payne as an associate head coach, only lost three times to the Cardinals during his 15 seasons at Kentucky. One of the big winners in the transfer portal, Louisville has a group capable of making more national noise this season. That’ll ramp up after a road win against the Razorbacks. Pick: Louisville
NC State basketball at Auburn
Will Wade made waves in his first offseason with the Wolfpack, creating a roster capable of getting N.C. State back to the Big Dance. Facing Tahaad Pettiford and the Tigers at Neville Arena will give Wade’s group a gauge on where it is in relation to one of the top programs in the nation. If this game was in Raleigh, it’d be easier to pick the ‘Pack. Pick: Auburn
Clemson basketball at Alabama
A rematch of the 2024 Elite Eight game in Los Angeles, Clemson and Alabama have been two of the most consistent programs in their conferences. The Crimson Tide received a pleasant surprise with the return of Labaron Philon and the Tigers overhauled their roster with a crowd of transfers. Clemson is 4-0 against the Tide in Tuscaloosa, but that streak ends this season. Pick: Alabama
Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.