Duke and Clemson Face Off in Key ACC Basketball Matchup

Top-ranked teams battle for conference lead on Saturday afternoon

Feb. 14, 2026 at 6:15pm

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The No. 4/6 Duke Blue Devils (22-2, 11-1) will host the No. 18/20 Clemson Tigers (20-5, 10-2) in a crucial ACC basketball showdown on Saturday, February 14th at noon ET. The two teams are currently tied atop the conference standings, making this an important game in the race for the ACC title.

Why it matters

This game features two of the top teams in the ACC, with Duke and Clemson battling for positioning at the top of the league standings. The winner will take sole possession of first place in the conference, giving them a leg up in the race for the regular season championship.

The details

Duke, led by head coach Jon Scheyer, is looking to bounce back after suffering its second loss of the season. Clemson, coached by Brad Brownell, has been one of the surprise teams in the ACC this year and is aiming to pick up a marquee road win against the highly-ranked Blue Devils.

  • The game is scheduled for Saturday, February 14th at 12:00 PM ET.

The players

Jon Scheyer

Head coach of the Duke Blue Devils basketball team.

Brad Brownell

Head coach of the Clemson Tigers basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge game for us as we look to take control of the ACC race. Clemson has had a great season and we know we'll have our hands full, but we're excited for the challenge.”

— Jon Scheyer, Head Coach, Duke Blue Devils

“Playing at Duke is always a tough test, but our team is ready for the challenge. We've had a strong start to conference play and want to prove we belong at the top of the ACC standings.”

— Brad Brownell, Head Coach, Clemson Tigers

What’s next

The winner of this game will take sole possession of first place in the ACC standings. Both teams will have several more conference games remaining as they look to secure the regular season title.

The takeaway

This matchup between two of the top teams in the ACC promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle, with major implications for the conference championship race.