Duke Basketball Claims ACC Final Spot with Narrow Win Over UNC

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Duke basketball secured a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament final with a 74-71 victory over rival North Carolina on Friday night, marking the first time since 2002 that the Blue Devils swept the Tar Heels in a season series.

The No. 1 seed Blue Devils (30-3) faced off against the fifth-seeded Tar Heels (22-13) in the semifinals, amid the backdrop of significant injuries to key players. Center Cooper Flagg, who suffered a left ankle sprain, and junior forward Maliq Brown, with a shoulder injury, both sat out the game but were on the minds of their teammates.

Duke raced to a commanding 45-24 halftime lead, but they almost squandered their advantage in the second half. A late foul by North Carolina at the free-throw line proved to be a critical misstep that allowed Duke to hold on for the win.

RJ Davis, a fifth-year guard for UNC, had remarked prior to the game that the third matchup against Duke would be their charm. However, the Blue Devils effectively shut down that narrative with their strong performance. “It was a tough battle, but we came together when it mattered most,” said Duke head coach Jon Scheyer after the game.

The game featured notable performances, including a career-high 12 points from Duke freshman Patrick Ngongba II. In a light-hearted post-game social media exchange, Ngongba was seen joking with teammate Isaiah Evans, who contributed two points as a starter in place of Flagg. “It’s great to be part of this team and these moments,” Ngongba shared.

With the win, Duke will now face the No. 2 seed Louisville Cardinals (28-6) in the ACC Tournament championship game scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN. This marked the Blue Devils’ second meeting with Louisville this season, following a previous 76-65 comeback win on Dec. 8.

After the game, Scheyer addressed the ongoing injury concerns surrounding Flagg and Brown. “We need to get back to campus and figure this thing out,” he said. “There’s no expectation of Maliq Brown playing anytime soon, but Cooper is doing better. He sprained his ankle pretty good, but all imaging came back negative. The goal is to have him ready for the NCAA Tournament, but we need to manage the swelling before making any decisions.”

This win serves as a significant achievement for Duke basketball, as they look to secure their 22nd ACC Tournament title under Scheyer’s leadership and maintain momentum heading into the NCAA Tournament.