Road tests spread out in spring 2016 highlight Duke men's basketball ACC schedule

As the Blue Devils chase their first ACC regular-season title since 2010, they can take comfort knowing their conference slate appears easier than last year’s.

The ACC released the 2016-17 men's basketball conference schedule Monday afternoon. After a nonconference schedule headlined by Kansas and Michigan State, Duke opens up ACC play New Year’s Eve Dec. 31 at Virginia Tech.

Unlike last year, when Duke took on Louisville twice, Virginia and North Carolina during a grueling 12-day stretch in February, the Blue Devils have matchups with Clemson and Wake Forest separating games against North Carolina, at Virginia and at Syracuse.

The highlight of Duke's conference slate is a pair of matches against the rival Tar Heels. After splitting matchups with North Carolina a season ago, the Blue Devils will look to sweep the Tar Heels as they did in 2014-15 en route to their fifth national championship.

The Durham Herald-Sun’s Steve Wiseman reported that both Duke-North Carolina games will start at 8 p.m. In past years, they started at 9 p.m. The first Tobacco Road rivalry clash will also take place on a Thursday this year, when in past years it occurred on a Wednesday.

Other marquee games include a Jan. 14 game at Louisville, a Jan. 30 tilt at Notre Dame and a Feb. 25 contest at Miami. 

Fans of showdowns between legendary head coaches will be treated again this season as Duke is scheduled to play Louisville and Syracuse—coached by Rick Pitino and Jim Boeheim—on the road this season. The Blue Devils lost to both teams last year.

Duke's full conference schedule is below.

Jan. 14 at Louisville

Jan. 23 vs. N.C. State

Jan. 28 at Wake Forest

Jan. 30 at Notre Dame

Feb. 4 vs. Pittsburgh

Feb. 9 vs. North Carolina

Feb. 11 vs. Clemson

Feb. 15 at Virginia

Feb. 18 vs. Wake Forest

Feb. 22 at Syracuse

Feb. 25 at Miami

Feb. 28 vs. Florida State

March 4 at North Carolina