Top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Duke begins ACC Tournament play in Thursday’s quarterfinal against eight-seed Florida State, after the Seminoles defeated Cal on Wednesday night.
Florida State Seminoles
Luke Loucks, the first-year coach at Florida State, is a two-time NBA champion (as the Warriors’ player development coach) and former FSU player. Loucks was named Florida State’s head coach on March 9, 2025.
Florida State enters Thursday’s ACC Tournament Quarterfinals with an 18-14 record and a conference record of 10-8. They are currently on a 4-game winning streak dating back to February 28th. FSU ranks second in the ACC and 10th nationally in 3-point shots per game (31.5), while also being second in the conference in 3-pointers made per game (10.4). The Seminoles top the ACC in turnovers forced per game (13.6) and are second in turnover margin (+2.6). FSU boasts 3 players scoring in double digits, including senior guard Robert McCray at 16.1 points per game. He also leads the team in assists at 6.1 per contest. Another senior, Chauncey Wiggins, is right behind McCray on the scoreboard with 13.3 points per contest, and 1 point behind him is sophomore guard Lajae Jones at 12.2 points per game. Jones also leads the team in rebounds at 5.8 per game.
Last Time Out:
Robert McCray V scored a season-high 30 points to lead four Seminoles in double figure scoring as Florida State’s 95-89 victory against the Cal Golden Bears in the second round of the ACC tournament at the Spectrum Center. McCray V’s 30 points eclipsed his previous season-high of 29 points, which he scored twice this season. He also recorded a game-high eight assists as the Seminoles advanced to the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament where they will face the No 1 ranked and No. 1 seeded Duke Blue Devils on Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Duke Blue Devils
The Blue Devils are the top-rated defense in the nation. (KenPom) Duke is one of only two teams ranked in the top five nationally in both offensive efficiency (128.5, 5th) and defensive efficiency (87.9, 1st) ratings. (KenPom) The Blue Devils lead the nation in scoring margin (+20.5) and rank second in the nation and first in the ACC in scoring defense (62.5 ppg). Duke tops the conference and ranks sixth in the country in rebounding margin (+10.5).
Cameron Boozer is the nation’s sixth-leading scorer with 22.7 points per game and tops the ACC in rebounding (10.2 rpg), is 10th in steals (1.6 spg), 13th in assists (4.1 apg), and third in field goal percentage (.583). Boozer has recorded at least 14 points, five rebounds, and two assists in all 31 games this season, the longest such streak by any player (men’s or women’s) at any point in a Division I career this century. (OptaSTATS) Also scoring in double figures for the Blue Devils are Isaiah Evans at 14.5 per game and Patrick Ngongba at 10.7. The Blue Devils will be without Ngongba as well as starting guard Caleb Foster for the duration of the ACC Tournament.
Last Time Out:
No. 1 Duke (29-2, 17-1 ACC) closed the regular season with a rivalry victory, 76-61, over No. 17 North Carolina (24-7, 12-6 ACC) on Saturday, March 7, at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils secured their second consecutive undefeated season at home and increased their home winning streak to 32 games with the 16-point victory over the Tar Heels.
Final Thoughts
It’s a tough spot for Duke, down 2 starters against a surging Florida State team. Firstly, they are going to have to play a very disciplined game on the defensive end. As Cal found out, the Seminoles are going to shoot a lot of 3’s and obviously run actions to get Duke in rotation to create opportunities for those looks. Duke has to stay balanced on defense on the perimeter. The main worries for Duke on the perimeter are Robert McCray V, who in conference is shooting 39% from 3, and Chauncey Wiggins, who is shooting it at a 44.4% clip in conference. I still expect the Florida State guards to attack the paint early and often, not simply to attempt to put Duke in foul trouble but to open up some of those 3-point opportunities that they crave.
Offensively, Duke is going to be playing a freshman point guard against the ACC’s top turnover-forcing team. Taking care of the basketball will be of utmost importance for the Blue Devils. As Cal found out last night after turning the ball over 12 times, leading to 20 Florida State points. Having legitimate pressure releases for the guards who will undoubtedly be pressed and trapped will be important. Florida State can match Duke’s length, so it’s something to keep an eye on. It will be interesting to see how Duke functions without 2 of their leading playmakers, but if there’s a staff I trust to game plan it, it’s the staff that Jon Scheyer has assembled.
