Duke vs Wake Forest: ACC Showdown at Cameron Indoor as Blue Devils Look to Solidify Conference Dominance

March 3, 2025 | Durham, NC

The top-ranked Duke Blue Devils (26-3, 17-1 ACC) will host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (20-9, 12-6 ACC) tonight at Cameron Indoor Stadium in what could be a defining ACC basketball matchup for both programs. With tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM EST on ESPN, college basketball fans across the nation will be watching as freshman phenom Cooper Flagg leads Duke's championship-caliber squad against a Wake Forest team desperately seeking a signature win to bolster their NCAA Tournament resume.

Duke's Dominance Under Cooper Flagg

The Blue Devils have been nothing short of spectacular this season, establishing themselves as not just ACC frontrunners but legitimate national title contenders. Cooper Flagg, the freshman sensation and Wooden Award favorite, has transformed Duke into an offensive juggernaut while maintaining the program's traditional defensive excellence.

"Duke's offensive efficiency has reached historic levels," notes basketball analyst Davide Wilkinson. "They've set records for consecutive wins by massive margins, including multiple 35+ point victories. Their first-half scoring average of 48 points over the last five games puts tremendous pressure on opponents to keep pace."

This offensive firepower, combined with elite rebounding and defensive execution, has positioned Duke to clinch the ACC regular season championship with a victory tonight.

Wake Forest Fighting for Tournament Position

The Demon Deacons arrive in Durham with NCAA Tournament implications hanging in the balance. Led by the dynamic backcourt of senior guards Hunter Sallis and Cameron Hildreth, Wake Forest has put together an impressive 20-9 season despite recent stumbles against NC State and Virginia.

"Sallis and Hildreth give Wake Forest a fighting chance in any game," said college basketball insider Tracy Coleman. "Their ability to create scoring opportunities will be crucial against Duke's stifling defense."

However, the Demon Deacons' perimeter shooting has been problematic all season. Currently ranking 357th nationally with a dismal 28.6% shooting percentage from beyond the arc, Wake Forest must find some rhythm from three-point range to have any chance of pulling the upset.

Rematch Considerations

When these teams met on January 25th in Winston-Salem, Duke escaped with a 63-56 victory in what was one of their closer conference games this season. The Blue Devils dominated the glass with a 49-32 rebounding advantage but showed vulnerability with 16 turnovers and poor three-point shooting (28.1%).

"That first matchup revealed the blueprint for challenging Duke," explained former coach Sam Thompson. "Force turnovers, control the defensive glass, and make them shoot from outside. The question is whether Wake Forest has the personnel to execute that gameplan in Cameron, where Duke has been virtually unstoppable."

Key Matchups to Watch

Battle on the Boards

Duke's frontcourt overwhelmed Wake Forest in their previous meeting. The Demon Deacons must find ways to neutralize Duke's size advantage and limit second-chance opportunities to keep the game competitive.

Perimeter Defense vs. Duke's First-Half Blitz

Wake Forest's defensive strategy will be tested immediately against Duke's explosive first-half scoring. Slowing the Blue Devils' transition game and contesting early shots could be critical to staying within striking distance.

Hunter Sallis vs. Duke's Perimeter Defenders

Wake Forest's leading scorer will need an exceptional performance against Duke's athletic wing defenders. His ability to create scoring opportunities could determine whether the Demon Deacons can keep pace.

Betting Outlook

The oddsmakers view this as a potential blowout, with Duke installed as 20.5-point favorites and the total set at 144.5 points. The large spread reflects both Duke's dominance at Cameron Indoor Stadium and Wake Forest's recent struggles against top-tier competition.

Seasoned bettors are particularly interested in Duke's first-half team total, given their tendency to build substantial early leads during this current hot streak.

Bottom Line

While Wake Forest desperately needs a signature win to strengthen their NCAA Tournament case, the combination of Duke's championship-caliber talent, home-court advantage, and offensive momentum creates a daunting challenge. The Blue Devils have their sights set on not just an ACC title but a deep March Madness run, making every remaining game an opportunity to fine-tune their championship form.

For college basketball fans, tonight's ESPN broadcast promises high-level ACC basketball featuring one of the nation's most electrifying freshmen in Cooper Flagg against a Wake Forest team with everything to play for.

Tip-off: 7:00 PM EST on ESPN