Duke Basketball: 4 Reasons Blue Devils Will Still Win the ACC

The 23-4 Duke Blue Devils sport a 10-2 ACC Conference record, allowing them to sit atop the ACC standings.

While the rival UNC Tarheels post the same exact conference record and overall record, Duke bested UNC on Feb. 8 to give them the tiebreaker.

The final game of the regular season for both teams will undoubtedly decide the ACC champion as these two teams will face off in a fight-to-the-finish match for the title.

Duke has played well of late, reeling off four in a row with the win at UNC.

They'll face a tough Florida State squad on Feb. 23 who already defeated them at home, but Duke has showed resilience of late and has confidence heading into Thursday's game.

If all goes as planned, the Blue Devils will claim another ACC title under Coach K.

Here are four reasons Duke will win the ACC: 

Coach K

Since 1980, Coach K has been at the helm of the Blue Devils, and he's been extremely successful.

His resume shows four NCAA championships, 11 Final Fours, 12 ACC regular-season titles and 13 ACC Tournament Championships.

Oh, and he's also the winningest coach in Men's NCAA Division I history.

Aside from heading Duke, he coached the United State's men's national basketball team to gold medals in the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

He's had numerous opportunities to become the highest-paid coach in the NBA but has turned every offer down to remain king at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Duke is always a favorite to win the ACC when Mike Krzyzewski is running the show.

Cameron Crazies

Dubbed "the sixth-man" by Duke head coach Mike Kryzewski, the Cameron Crazies make playing in Duke's house one of the most difficult arenas to play in.

They start their cheering as soon as warm-ups begin, and they don't leave until the court is clear.

The Cameron Crazies are known for their witty chants and their jumping up and down in the crowd to distract the opponent.

Duke has dropped just two of its 19 home games so far this season, with losses to a solid Florida State squad (currently No. 16) and Miami.

Two of their remaining four games will be played at home, including a crucial rematch against the rival Tar Heels in the last game of the season.

Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers is hands down the ACC Rookie of the Year and has definitely put himself in the conversation for National Freshman of the Year.

The 6'4" freshman from Water Park, FL, is averaging 15 PPG, boasts a 45 percent field goal percentage and is averaging 40 percent from three-point territory.

Rivers has been durable as a rookie, averaging the most minutes per game on the team at 32.2 and has won a Duke-high seven ACC Rookie of the Week awards.

On Feb. 8, at the then No. 5 North Carolina Tar Heels, Rivers hit a game-winning three-pointer to give Duke the edge over UNC 85-84.

Since that victory, the Blue Devils have reeled off three straight wins, including an 18-point home victory against Maryland and a 25-point win at Boston College.

If Rivers continues his elite play, he'll undoubtedly lead Duke to an ACC title.  

March 3, 2012

The Blue Devil's last regular-season game will see them host the rival Tar Heels, who they just beat on the road less than two weeks ago.

Although it took a clutch, last-second three by rookie Austin Rivers, Duke came out on top in the Dean Smith Center.

Duke has won four out of the last five matchups, and they'll look to continue the streak on March 3, when they'll close out their season against UNC.

Rivers lit the Tar Heels up for 29 points and a 60 percent three-point percentage in their last meeting, and he has shown no signs of slowing down.

The Cameron Crazies will get to UNC early, and the play of Rivers combined with the experience of Miles Plumlee and Seth Curry will lead Duke to an ACC title. 

Follow @Pete_Schauer