In a thrilling semifinal showdown, the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils edged past their longtime rivals, the North Carolina Tar Heels, with a narrow 74-71 win in the ACC Tournament. Missing their star player Cooper Flagg, Duke showed grit and teamwork to claim victory, marking their third triumph against UNC this season.
Standout Performances Push Duke Forward
Key players stepped up in Flagg's absence. Kon Knueppel led the charge with an impressive 17 points, hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Khaman Maluach also made his presence felt, contributing 13 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while Patrick Ngongba was flawless from the field, scoring 12 points on a 6-for-6 shooting performance. This well-rounded effort was critical in securing Duke's path to the finals.
Despite a strong showing from UNC's Ven-Allen Lubin, who put up a game-high 20 points and snagged 10 rebounds, the Tar Heels couldn't quite close the gap. They valiantly fought back from a daunting 24-point deficit in the second half. The pivotal moment came when Jae-Lyn Withers committed a crucial lane violation during Lubin’s decisive free-throw attempt, shifting momentum firmly in Duke's favor.
Duke's Defensive Prowess
Duke’s defense played a vital role in their win. By holding UNC to just 3-of-17 shooting from the three-point line, the Blue Devils contained what is typically a high-scoring Tar Heels offense. The ability to neutralize their opponent's outside shooting significantly hampered UNC's comeback efforts.
This defensive mastery, combined with solid strategy and execution, propelled Duke into their 36th ACC title game. They now await their opponent, set to be the winner of the Clemson-Louisville matchup. Reflecting on history, this victory marks the first time Duke has swept UNC in a three-game series since the 2001-02 season.
For UNC, this loss puts their future in the tournament in jeopardy. To have a shot at further competition, they will need to regroup and potentially rely on at-large bids. As for Duke, they march confidently forward, aiming to clinch yet another ACC title, much to the excitement of their ardent fan base.
