Cooper Flagg slips in a key moment as Clemson shocks No. 2 Duke 77-71, marking a significant upset in college basketball. Viktor Lakhin led the charge for Clemson, scoring 22 points while effectively containing Flagg, a player of the year candidate, for the majority of the matchup. The Tigers’ victory ended Duke’s impressive 16-game winning streak, showcasing their resilience and determination.
With just 14 seconds remaining, Flagg’s slip resulted in a critical turnover, leaving the Blue Devils trailing by two points and unable to recover.
According to Fox Sports Research, this victory stands as Clemson’s highest-ranked win since they defeated No. 1 UNC in 2001. Prior to this game, the Tigers had endured a 16-game losing streak against teams ranked in the AP top two. This win also marked their fifth consecutive victory over an AP top-five opponent, the longest active streak in the nation.
Chase Hunter contributed significantly with 14 points, while Ian Schieffelin recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for Clemson (19-5, 11-2 ACC). The Tigers not only halted Duke’s pursuit of an unbeaten regular season in the Atlantic Coast Conference but also prevented the Blue Devils (20-3, 12-1) from claiming the top ranking in the country for the first time under coach Jon Scheyer.
Earlier in the day, No. 1 Auburn fell to No. 6 Florida 90-81, creating an opportunity for Duke to ascend to the top spot with a victory.
Tyrese Proctor led Duke with 23 points, while Flagg managed 18 points on 6-of-17 shooting.
Clemson, trailing by six at halftime, executed a remarkable 12-0 run in the second half to seize a 56-49 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Hunter clinched the victory by blocking Proctor’s layup attempt with just 7.9 seconds left on the clock.
Takeaways
Duke: The absence of Mason Gillis, who missed his second consecutive game due to illness, impacted the Blue Devils’ depth. Flagg struggled early in the game, scoring only four points in the first 34 minutes.
Clemson: The Tigers demonstrated remarkable grit, bouncing back from a tough 89-86 triple overtime loss to Georgia Tech earlier in the week. They had previously secured a victory against then-No. 4 Kentucky at home in December.
Key stat
Clemson emerged victorious despite a subpar performance at the free-throw line, converting only 13 of 22 attempts.
Up next
Duke will host California on Wednesday night, while Clemson prepares to face North Carolina on Monday night.
