Duke and Clemson Advance to ACC Semifinal

The Point After crew previews the top-ranked Blue Devils vs. Tigers matchup at the Spectrum Center

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:07pm

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The top-ranked Duke Blue Devils will face the Clemson Tigers in the semifinal round of the Men's Atlantic Coast Conference Basketball Tournament on Friday night in Charlotte. The Point After crew will be live inside the Spectrum Center with a special edition preview show at 7:30 p.m. Duke and Clemson both survived close calls in the quarterfinals, with the Blue Devils holding off Florida State and the Tigers fending off a late rally by North Carolina.

Why it matters

The ACC Tournament is one of the most prestigious college basketball events, and this semifinal matchup between two highly ranked teams promises an exciting game with major implications for the NCAA Tournament. The Point After preview show will give fans an in-depth look at the teams, players, and storylines heading into the big game.

The details

Duke and Clemson both had narrow 80-79 victories in the quarterfinals to advance. The Blue Devils held off a late run by Florida State, while the Tigers saw an 18-point lead shrink to just two points before holding on against North Carolina. Both teams will be looking to secure a spot in the ACC championship game on Saturday.

  • The Point After preview show airs at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • The Duke vs. Clemson semifinal game tips off at 9:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.

The players

Duke Blue Devils

The top-ranked team in the country, the Duke Blue Devils are seeking their 22nd ACC Tournament championship.

Clemson Tigers

The Clemson Tigers are looking to reach their first ACC Tournament final since 1962 and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We must be ready for a tough battle against Clemson. They've proven they can win close games and we can't take them lightly.”

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

“Our guys showed a lot of heart to hold off North Carolina. We're excited for the opportunity to play Duke and prove we belong on the big stage.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach, Clemson Tigers (WBTV)

What’s next

The winner of the Duke vs. Clemson semifinal will advance to the ACC Tournament championship game on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The takeaway

This ACC semifinal matchup between two highly ranked teams promises an exciting and hard-fought game that will have major implications for both teams' NCAA Tournament hopes. The Point After preview show will give fans a closer look at the keys to the game and the storylines surrounding these two programs.