The Duke Blue Devils secured their 23rd ACC Tournament title with a 73-62 victory over Louisville, completing a remarkable run despite the absence of star freshman Cooper Flagg and versatile forward Maliq Brown. Under head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke showcased resilience, depth, and tactical brilliance, winning both the ACC regular-season and tournament championships for the first time since 2006.
Key Moments in Duke’s Championship Run
Quarterfinals: Comeback Against Georgia Tech
Duke opened the tournament with a dramatic 81-77 win over Georgia Tech. Trailing by 14 points at halftime, the Blue Devils rallied behind Kon Knueppel’s 20 second-half points. The freshman stepped into Flagg’s role as a primary scorer, proving his mettle under pressure.
Semifinals: Narrow Victory Over North Carolina
In a thrilling semifinal against archrival North Carolina, Duke narrowly escaped with a 74-71 win. After building a 24-point lead, the Blue Devils saw it dwindle to one in the final seconds. UNC’s chance to tie was thwarted by a lane violation on a free throw attempt with 4.1 seconds left. Tyrese Proctor and Knueppel were instrumental in securing the win.
Championship Game: Turning Point Against Louisville
Facing Louisville in the final, Duke overcame a five-point halftime deficit with a dominant second-half performance. A pivotal sequence began with Patrick Ngongba’s block on Chucky Hepburn’s layup, followed by Proctor draining his sixth three-pointer to ignite a decisive 12-0 run. This stretch turned a tight contest into a comfortable lead for Duke.
Proctor led the team with 19 points on six three-pointers, while Knueppel added 18 points and eight rebounds, earning ACC Tournament MVP honors. Sion James contributed 15 points, showcasing Duke’s depth. Defensively, the Blue Devils held Louisville to just 25.7% shooting in the second half.
Scheyer’s Leadership
Jon Scheyer became the first coach to win two ACC Tournament titles within his first three seasons leading a program since Everett Case in the league’s early years. His ability to adapt without Flagg and Brown was critical. Scheyer emphasized simplicity during timeouts, urging his team to focus on getting stops and scoring efficiently. His leadership inspired confidence and composure in high-stakes moments.
Resilience and Depth
Duke’s success highlights its versatility and team-first mentality. Proctor emerged as a sharpshooter after struggling earlier in the tournament, while Knueppel seamlessly filled Flagg’s role as a do-it-all scorer. Ngongba and James provided critical defensive plays, underscoring the team’s collective effort.
Despite losing two key players, Duke swept both ACC titles with grit and determination. This marks their second tournament championship in three seasons under Scheyer and sets them up as favorites for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Legacy of Excellence
With this victory, Duke extended its record to 23 ACC Tournament titles—five more than rival North Carolina—and solidified its dominance in conference history. The Blue Devils’ ability to overcome adversity reinforces their reputation as one of college basketball’s elite programs.
As they head into March Madness with a 31-3 record, this championship run serves as both an affirmation of their depth and a warning to future opponents: even without their brightest star, Duke remains formidable.
Top-seeded Duke will learn its NCAA Tournament destination during the Selection Sunday show, airing tonight, March 16, at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. Following their ACC Tournament championship victory over Louisville, the Blue Devils enter March Madness with a 31-3 record and are widely expected to secure the No. 1 overall seed.