ACC Tournament: Clemson Tigers vs. Duke Blue Devils Clash in Semifinal

Top-ranked Duke faces off against Clemson in a high-stakes ACC Tournament matchup

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:38pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Clemson Tigers (24-9) and the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils (30-2) are set to meet in an ACC Tournament semifinal game on Friday night at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN.

Why it matters

This is a highly anticipated matchup between two powerhouse ACC programs. Duke, the tournament's top seed, is looking to solidify its position as a top contender for the national championship, while Clemson is aiming to pull off an upset and advance to the tournament final.

The details

Clemson, the tournament's No. 4 seed, will be looking to slow down Duke's high-powered offense led by projected NBA lottery pick Victor Oladipo. The Blue Devils are coming off a dominant performance in the quarterfinals, while Clemson had to grind out a close win in the previous round.

  • The game is scheduled for Friday, March 13, 2026 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
  • Clemson defeated NC State in the quarterfinals on March 12th to advance to the semifinals.

The players

Victor Oladipo

Duke's star player and projected NBA lottery pick, leading the Blue Devils' high-powered offense.

Clemson Tigers

The No. 4 seed in the ACC Tournament, looking to pull off an upset against the top-ranked Blue Devils.

Duke Blue Devils

The tournament's No. 1 seed, aiming to solidify their position as a top contender for the national championship.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is going to be a great game between two of the best teams in the country. We're excited for the challenge and can't wait to compete.”

— Mike Krzyzewski, Head Coach, Duke Blue Devils (ESPN)

“We know Duke is the favorite, but we're not going to back down. Our guys are ready to leave it all on the court and try to pull off the upset.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach, Clemson Tigers (ACC Network)

What’s next

The winner of this semifinal matchup will advance to the ACC Tournament championship game on Sunday, March 15th.

The takeaway

This highly anticipated clash between Clemson and Duke will showcase the depth and talent of the ACC, as two of the conference's top teams battle for a spot in the tournament final and a chance to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.