The 2025 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Men’s Basketball Tournament came to a thrilling end this past weekend, delivering the kind of March madness fans wait all year to see. From buzzer-beaters and shocking upsets to emotional comebacks and rising stars, this year’s tournament had no shortage of drama.
Held at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., the five-day tournament kicked off on March 11 and wrapped up with a high-stakes championship game on March 15. The tournament featured 15 teams, all hoping to claim the ACC crown and earn a secure spot in the NCAA Tournament.
But as always, things didn’t go as expected. The top seeds faced surprising challenges, and a few lower-ranked teams turned heads with fearless performances.
The first round opened with matchups between the bottom six seeds. Georgia Tech pulled off a narrow win against Notre Dame, thanks to a late three-pointer by freshman guard Kaden Brown. Meanwhile, Miami edged past Boston College in a game that went into overtime, driven by the experience of senior forward Norchad Omier.
In the second round, things began to heat up. Florida State, seeded 10th, upset No. 7 Wake Forest in a gritty 72-68 game. The Seminoles showed poise and confidence, especially guard Primo Spears, who scored 21 points and played a key role in crunch time. Clemson, ranked 8th, also won their match, sending Syracuse packing with a 78-70 result.
The quarterfinals saw the introduction of the top four seeds: North Carolina (1), Duke (2), Virginia (3), and Pitt (4). But being a top seed didn’t guarantee safety.
The biggest shock came when Florida State stunned No. 2 Duke. Despite Duke’s deep roster and experience, the Seminoles played fearlessly and out-rebounded them on both ends of the floor. It was a defensive masterclass, with Florida State holding Duke to just 58 points—their lowest tournament output in three years.
On the other end, North Carolina looked every bit the title contender. They rolled past Clemson with a dominant performance from RJ Davis, who posted 26 points, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Davis showed why he’s one of the top players in the conference, scoring from all over the court.
Virginia edged past Miami in a low-scoring affair (58-54), relying on their trademark defense and the steady hands of guard Reece Beekman. Pitt held off a late surge from Georgia Tech, thanks to strong post play and smart shot selection.
The semifinals featured two exciting matchups, with all four teams believing they had a shot at the title.
In the first game, North Carolina took on Virginia in a tense battle. The Tar Heels started slow but found their rhythm in the second half. Freshman standout Zayden High played his best game of the season, adding 16 points and 8 rebounds. Armando Bacot, the veteran big man, dominated the paint and grabbed 12 rebounds. The Heels won 68-60, moving on to the final.
The second semifinal was a high-energy contest between Pitt and Florida State. The Seminoles, still riding their underdog momentum, pushed the pace and forced turnovers early. But Pitt held steady, with senior guard Blake Hinson scoring 23 points and hitting five three-pointers. In the end, Pitt advanced with a 74-69 win, setting up a highly anticipated final against UNC.
The final showdown between North Carolina and Pitt brought out a packed crowd in Washington, with thousands of fans cheering on both sides. North Carolina came in as the favorite, but Pitt had proven they were not to be taken lightly.
From the tip-off, it was clear this game would be a battle. The first half was back and forth, with both teams trading leads. RJ Davis once again took control, scoring 14 points in the first 20 minutes. Pitt responded with aggressive defense and fast breaks, led by Hinson and forward Guillermo Diaz-Graham.
In the second half, UNC began to pull away. Bacot’s presence in the paint was too much for Pitt’s frontcourt, and the Heels’ bench stepped up big. With five minutes left, UNC led by 10, and despite Pitt’s best efforts, they couldn’t close the gap.
Final score: North Carolina 79, Pitt 70.
With that, the Tar Heels claimed their 20th ACC Tournament title—extending their legacy as one of the most successful programs in college basketball history.
RJ Davis was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after averaging 22.5 points and 5 assists per game. His leadership and clutch play were vital to North Carolina’s title run.
The All-Tournament Team included:
The ACC Tournament always plays a big role in shaping March Madness, and this year is no different.
North Carolina is now expected to earn a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the NCAA bracket. Their strong showing in the ACC tournament, paired with a top-tier regular season record, makes them one of the favorites heading into the Big Dance.
Pitt, Virginia, and Duke are also expected to receive bids, though their seeding could be affected by early tournament exits. Florida State, who made a surprise run to the semifinals, has now made a strong case for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, though they may end up as a bubble team.
Fans across the country took to social media throughout the week to react to the wild tournament games. One Duke fan tweeted, “Still can’t believe we got knocked out by FSU… March is ruthless.” Meanwhile, a Tar Heels supporter posted a celebratory photo with the caption, “RJ Davis is HIM. We’re bringing the natty back to Chapel Hill!”
Even neutral fans praised the tournament’s excitement. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas tweeted, “One of the most competitive ACC Tournaments in recent years. Hats off to Florida State—no quit in that team.”
The 2025 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament reminded everyone why March is the most exciting month in college hoops. It’s the time when underdogs rise, legends are made, and every possession counts.
With the NCAA Tournament just around the corner, the performances we saw in Washington will continue to shape the storylines. Whether you root for the blue bloods or the underdogs, one thing is certain—the madness has just begun.
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