Clemson vs. Duke Draws Over Two Million Viewers on ESPN

Clemson's Ian Schieffelin secures a rebound over Duke's Maliq Brown during Clemson's victory over the Blue Devils, 77-71, on February 8, 2025, in Clemson, SC. (Photo by Charles Mays/Tiger View Media)

The basketball game on February 8, 2025, between the Clemson Tigers and the Duke Blue Devils was an exhilarating event that captivated college basketball enthusiasts. With an average of 2.1 million viewers and a peak of 2.8 million, it ranked as the third most-watched basketball game of the 2025 season across all networks, highlighting the immense popularity and excitement of this matchup. Moreover, it was the second most-watched basketball game of the season on ESPN platforms. It would be naive to think that the legendary Dick Vitale's return didn't draw some viewers. After nearly two years away due to his battle with cancer, we were all thrilled to have him back. What a fantastic game for him to call on his return! The ratings for this game also emphasize the broader trend of rising viewership for college basketball. Many basketball fans today are losing interest in the NBA, where it's uncertain if the stars will play. On that note, the Clemson and Duke game was delayed by 30 minutes from its original 6 p.m. start due to the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers game. It was supposed to be Luka Doncic's debut with the Lakers following the surprising trade from Dallas for Anthony Davis, but he did not play Saturday, nor did LeBron James. With marquee matchups and compelling storylines, college basketball continues to attract a strong following. As the season progresses, fans can anticipate more high-energy games and potentially even more record-breaking viewership numbers as teams like Clemson and Duke strive toward the NCAA Tournament.