Duke is the highest-ranked ACC team in The Athletic's top 25 rankings at No. 3.
play Pitt twice in January — on the road on Jan. 9, and at home on Jan. 20 — but otherwise don’t face a single ACC team who made the NCAA Tournament until late February, when they travel to Miami on Feb. 21. That contest very well could decide who wins the regular season, but at least Jon Scheyer’s team has a long run-up to that point.
—Not only does NC State have to replace its All-ACC backcourt this season, but there may not be a tougher final three games in the entire conference: At UNC — where NC State has lost five straight — then Duke at home , and finally at Pitt to end the regular season. Yikes. Those are some marquee opportunities right before Selection Sunday… but also tough, tough games.