Duke Blue Devils Lead ACC with Cooper Flagg

The ACC men's college basketball season is disappointing overall, with Duke being the lone ranked team and projected to only receive five NCAA tournament entries. The Blue Devils, led by freshman star Cooper Flagg, have excelled this season, achieving a nine-game winning streak and ranking first in both the ESPN Basketball Power Index and KenPom rankings due to their strong offense and defense. Flagg, who is projected as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has been instrumental in Duke's success, averaging 17.8 points per game. Despite Duke's dominance, the Kentucky Wildcats, while fifth in the SEC, are still viewed as potential threats due to their experienced roster and high-scoring offense. Analysts highlight the contrasting styles of both teams, with Duke relying heavily on Flagg while Kentucky showcases a more balanced attack. As Duke leads the ACC, it remains to be seen how they will fare against the competition in the upcoming NCAA tournament.