Duke has been cruising through the season with an impressive 12-2 record, with their only losses coming against powerhouses Kansas and Kentucky. But, despite Cooper Flagg’s phenomenal performances, analysts are starting to cast doubts on their Final Four chances. And why? Well, it’s all because of their conference — the ACC. The ACC’s perceived lack of competitiveness might be the Achilles’ heel for this Duke squad.

Matt McCall didn’t hold back when discussing this. “The league’s not great,” he said. “That would be my only concern with this team. Can they make a run in March with the league not being great?” He pointed out that while Duke is young and full of potential, the lack of high-level competition in their conference might stifle their growth.

 McCall was clear, “I respect what Jon Scheyer and his coaching staff have done in terms of their schedule and bringing on all-comers. But now that they’re in conference play… I don’t know if they can get to a Final Four.”

Last year, the ACC surprised everyone by having four teams make the Sweet 16, with North Carolina State’s Cinderella run being particularly surprising. Still, the league’s overall reputation has taken a hit in recent years. As McCall put it, “It’s just not at the level that it normally is.” 

The transition from legendary coaches like Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski has left the ACC searching for its former dominance. However, the freshman sensation is living up to the hype and then some. He’s averaging 17.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game while shooting an efficient 44.7%. 

But even his brilliance couldn’t save Duke in their 77-72 loss to Kentucky earlier this season. It was a harsh reminder that even the best players can’t do it all, especially against elite competition from conferences like the SEC. The question now is whether Duke’s relatively soft ACC schedule will prepare them for the rigors of March Madness. 

McCall highlighted this concern, saying, “How much can they improve if they’re not playing against high, high-level competition?” During the show The Field of 68: AFTER DARK, he also pointed out that teams from the SEC and Big Ten are constantly tested by tough opponents, giving them a potential edge when the stakes are highest.

Nevertheless, since 2015, the ACC has sent six different teams to the Final Four. 10 different ACC teams reached at least one Elite Eight and three — Duke in 2015, North Carolina in 2017, and Virginia in 2019 — and won the national title in that span. Can history repeat itself?

The league’s postseason success often defies regular-season perceptions. Will that be the case again this year? It’s hard to say, but one thing’s for sure: the road won’t be easy. In the meantime, Duke’s prodigy’s accolades keep piling up.

Cooper Flagg’s weekly awards

Cooper Flagg continues to dominate the ACC scene. On Jan. 6, the conference announced that Flagg had swept the ACC Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors for the second time this season. His incredible performances in two convincing wins over ACC opponents led to it.

He averaged 24.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 blocked shots per game while shooting a blistering 61.5% from the field, 66.7% from beyond the arc, and a flawless 100% from the free-throw line. 

Against SMU, he posted his fifth double-double of the season with 24 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks. Just days later, he followed it up with another dominant 24-point outing against Virginia Tech. This marks the second time Flagg has swept both weekly honors.

He now joins an elite group of Duke legends—Zion Williamson, Marvin Bagley III, Vernon Carey Jr., and Jabari Parker—who have accomplished this rare feat multiple times in a single season. 

Now, as we edge closer to March Madness, Flagg’s dominance becomes even more crucial. Duke’s perfect 4-0 start in ACC play suggests the Blue Devils are on the right track. However, questions about the conference’s competitiveness still remain a concern. Let’s see what the rest of the season holds for them.