Cooper Flagg's health is the biggest storyline in the East Region as top-seeded Duke awaits the return of its freshman sensation. The Blue Devils beat North Carolina and Louisville in the ACC Tournament without the ACC Player of the Year,

The Duke Blue Devils put together one of the nation's best college basketball seasons in 2024-25, finishing the year with a 31-3 record and an ACC Tournament victory. Jon Scheyer's Duke squad was rewarded for its impressive campaign on Selection Sunday,

The North Carolina Tar Heels squeaked into the NCAA Tournament, grabbing an 11-seed and a spot in the play-in game against San Diego State. Duke, the winners of the ACC Tournament, received a No. 1 seed in the East Region.

After a stressful 48 hours following a loss to Duke in the ACC Tournament, the Tar Heels found out their fate for the NCAA Tournament. And they are heading to Dayton. The Tar Heels got into the field as a 12 seed and will be in the First Four game and will face off against San Diego State on Wednesday night.