The sound of triumph rang loud through the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, as the Duke Blue Devils cut down the nets—again. In a commanding display of excellence, precision, and resilience, the Blue Devils claimed their 23rd ACC Tournament Championship, a feat that capped a historic sweep of both the regular season and tournament titles. This was not just another banner year in Durham—it was a definitive statement: Duke basketball has returned to the forefront of college hoops.
The 2024–25 season will go down in the annals of Duke history as one of the most complete and dominant campaigns the program has ever authored. It was a season that began with cautious optimism and ended with raucous celebration, led by a head coach forging his own identity, a roster rich in both experience and youthful energy, and a fan base reminded of what greatness looks like.
Jon Scheyer’s Defining Moment
Jon Scheyer, in his second full season as Duke’s head coach, achieved what few could have predicted so quickly after succeeding the legendary Mike Krzyzewski. With expectations sky-high and the microscope never far away, Scheyer guided the Blue Devils to a 30-4 overall record, including a 17-3 mark in conference play. This dominant run secured Duke’s first outright ACC regular season title since 2006, and its first tournament championship since 2022.
Scheyer’s evolution as a head coach has been remarkable. Once seen as simply “Coach K’s successor,” he’s now a proven leader in his own right—constructing game plans that balance old-school toughness with modern offensive creativity. He led a team that was unselfish, hungry, and focused, instilling discipline and flexibility on both ends of the court.
“This means everything,” Scheyer said after Duke’s 79-58 dismantling of Florida State in the ACC final. “Our players committed themselves to doing things the right way from day one. This is the standard now. This is Duke Basketball.”
ACC Tournament: The Blue Devils’ Path to Glory
Duke entered the 2025 ACC Tournament in Charlotte as the top seed, carrying the pressure that comes with wearing the crown. But the Blue Devils didn’t flinch—they flourished.
Quarterfinals – Duke 83, NC State 62
After a first-round bye, Duke took the court against a scrappy NC State squad that had pulled off a second-round upset. The Blue Devils were ready. Kyle Filipowski was a force inside, tallying 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Tyrese Proctor and Jared McCain combined for 29 points in a balanced offensive attack. The defense smothered NC State’s perimeter shooters, and Duke rolled to a comfortable win.
Semifinals – Duke 72, Virginia 66
Virginia posed a different challenge—slow-paced, methodical, and stingy on defense. The Blue Devils were pushed to the edge but never lost composure. Proctor was clutch down the stretch, hitting a late-game three that broke a 63-63 deadlock. McCain added 17 points, while Filipowski added another double-double to his résumé. The win showed Duke’s ability to grind out tough games, something previous squads had struggled with.
Final – Duke 79, Florida State 58
Facing a red-hot Florida State team fresh off upset wins over Clemson and North Carolina, Duke delivered a clinic. The Blue Devils jumped out to a 19-4 lead and never looked back. Filipowski was again dominant, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds en route to ACC Tournament MVP honors. McCain dazzled with his creativity and court vision, while Jeremy Roach orchestrated the offense with veteran savvy. Duke outscored FSU 42-20 in the paint and limited the Seminoles to just 35% shooting.
It was the kind of performance that defines a championship team—ruthless, focused, and unrelenting.
Stars Shine Bright in Durham
Duke’s success was a true team effort, but several individuals stood tall throughout the season and into March.
Kyle Filipowski – The Dominant Big Man
Filipowski returned for his sophomore season with one goal: to win. The 7-footer delivered in every way imaginable, averaging 17.8 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He improved his outside shooting, became more confident attacking off the dribble, and anchored Duke’s interior defense. In the ACC Tournament, he was unmatched—controlling tempo, rebounding with authority, and imposing his will on both ends.
NBA scouts see Filipowski as a lottery pick, and it’s easy to understand why. But for Duke fans, he’ll be remembered as the cornerstone of a revival.
Jared McCain – The Freshman Phenomenon
The 6’3″ McCain quickly became a fan favorite. Flashy, fearless, and fun to watch, he averaged 14.3 points and shot 43.6% from three. His ability to create his own shot, finish in transition, and bring intensity to the defensive end made him one of the most impactful freshmen in the nation.
What made McCain truly special was his maturity in big games. He never looked rattled, often making the right play at the right time. Against Virginia, he drew comparisons to former Blue Devil stars for his late-game poise.
Jeremy Roach – The Heart and Soul
The senior point guard was the glue that held everything together. Roach’s leadership, stability, and composure were invaluable. He averaged 13.2 points and 4.6 assists per game, but his value can’t be measured in numbers alone. He was the vocal leader in huddles, the guy who made sure Duke didn’t fold when adversity struck.
After the ACC title game, Roach was visibly emotional. “This is why I came back,” he said. “To win. To finish what we started. This is the proudest moment of my life.”
Tyrese Proctor, Mark Mitchell, and the Bench Mob
Tyrese Proctor had a breakout sophomore campaign, showcasing his defensive chops and vastly improved three-point shooting. Mark Mitchell gave the Blue Devils a reliable wing presence, capable of guarding multiple positions. And the bench unit—featuring Caleb Foster, Ryan Young, and Sean Stewart—provided the energy and depth that made this team so hard to beat.
Dominance by the Numbers
Duke’s statistical resume speaks volumes:
- Overall Record: 30-4
- ACC Record: 17-3
- Scoring Margin: +12.4 (1st in ACC)
- Opponent FG%: 39.1% (2nd in ACC)
- Team 3PT FG%: 38.7% (1st in ACC)
- Fast Break PPG: 13.2 (Top 15 nationally)
Their balance—inside-out offense, transition game, and half-court defense—gave them tools to beat anyone, anywhere.
Scheyer’s Blueprint for Sustained Success
Coach Jon Scheyer’s fingerprints are all over this team’s identity. Unlike many teams that rely heavily on transfers, Scheyer built around a nucleus of players who grew within the program. His player development philosophy—focusing on trust, toughness, and togetherness—paid dividends.
He also proved himself a high-level tactician. In-game adjustments, smart substitution patterns, and effective use of timeouts helped Duke win close contests. Scheyer has proven that he’s not just maintaining a legacy—he’s building his own.
National Title Aspirations
With the regular season and ACC Tournament titles in hand, Duke now turns its attention to March Madness. They are projected as a No. 1 seed, most likely in the East Region, setting them up for a potential deep run through the NCAA Tournament.
Pundits across the country have tabbed Duke as a Final Four favorite. With elite size, shooting, defense, and coaching, it’s easy to see why. The one-and-done era might be in flux, but Duke’s formula—marrying top-tier recruits with multi-year contributors—is clearly working.
If the Blue Devils can maintain their health and composure, a sixth national championship banner could be on its way to Cameron Indoor Stadium.
A Legacy Reborn
This season wasn’t just about hardware—it was about heritage. For a program steeped in tradition, the 2024–25 campaign proved that the Duke brand of basketball is still a benchmark for excellence in college hoops.
The faces have changed. The coach is younger. But the hunger, the culture, and the swagger remain.
Duke didn’t just dominate the ACC. It reminded the nation that in Durham, winning isn’t a hope—it’s an expectation.